Stitch Witch Sisters is a webcomic created by independent artist and writer, Reagan Lodge. The comic follows the story of two sisters, Catty and Batty, who run a magical repair shop called Stitch Witch Sisters. The shop specializes in fixing magical items, clothing, and accessories. Catty is the older sister and the more serious of the two. She is often seen wearing a black cloak and has a no-nonsense attitude. Batty, on the other hand, is the younger sister and is more carefree and whimsical.
She was voiced by the late Hisano Yamaoka in the Japanese version, and Corinne Orr in the English dubbed version.
Questioning approaches that focus narrowly on the male role in witch-hunting in England and Scotland, Deborah Willis examines the fact that women were also frequently the accusers. Professor Willis chose to associate these physical characteristics with the works of psychoanalyst Melanie Klein and her theory involving pre-Oedipal conflict.
Batty, on the other hand, is the younger sister and is more carefree and whimsical. She loves bright colors and is known for her wild, colorful hair. The comic explores the sisters' adventures as they encounter various customers with unique magical items in need of repair.
Malevolent queen witch
Willis, Deborah. Malevolent Nurture. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1995.
The infamous Witch Hunts that began in Europe close to 500 years ago is a subject upon which we will never agree on how it began, why it began and how it was able to continue for as long as it did. Deborah Willis, in her book Malevolent Nurture, approaches the subject from the standpoint that feminine, or rather maternal characteristics played a large role in the goings-on of the time. It was the witch�s maternal traits that gave her malevolent power. Willis is a professor at the University of California, Riverside, and published her book about Witch Hunting and Maternal Power in Early Modern England in 1995. She targets any audience who is willing to take note of her explanatory, broadly supported argument that sorcery was a largely gender-related crime. The coverage of her topic is very intensive in that she gathers a wide range of sources for her thesis. But unfortunately, she leaves out some details that could possibly destroy the validity of her argument.
Depending heavily on sources ranging from pamphlets distributed at the time of the Hunts to modern analyses of the subject, from accounts of people directly involved to the research of present-day historians, from statistics to pictures, from psychoanalysts to Shakespeare, Willis determinedly follows all the rules when it comes to giving support of her thesis. She gives an introduction to the book by discussing a brief history of the witch trials: what took place, who they involved and when. She then described the (female) witch: usually older and postmenopausal. Though her breasts can no longer produce milk to feed an infant, she can nonetheless feed, or nurture, a demonic imp. In many cases, this is done by means of a third teat. Professor Willis chose to associate these physical characteristics with the works of psychoanalyst Melanie Klein and her theory involving pre-Oedipal conflict. Willis describes this as a "persecutory anxiety" which originates in infancy and early childhood and results "when the growing child experiences inevitable frustrations and must learn to cope with feelings of anger and aggression toward the mother (or caretakers)."(p.45) In other words, children naturally grow to resent their mothers when their ego-related needs are not sufficiently satisfied (which was frequently the case). So, in a sense, though the witch�s mothering capabilities suffer for her biological child, she instead uses her maternal capacity to nurture the Devil. This is the crime for which a witch was accused.
To help illustrate her ideas, Willis uses the historical character James VI of Scotland. She gives a rather in-depth biography of him, but only to make her argument weightier. James VI was a suitable figure for use because of his somewhat conflicted relationship with his biological mother, Mary, Queen of Scotland and his "mother-like" relationship to his older cousin, Elizabeth of England. The resentment that James felt toward his mothers made him a prime example for Willis� use. Furthermore, James himself took an active part in pursuing witches, for he conducted trials and even distributed his own witch tract. According to him, "maleficium involved � in fact was made possible by � an act of disloyalty."(p129) Could this result from his own mother-son relationship? Professor Willis logically associates his circumstances regarding his mothers with his attention to the Witch Hunt at the time.
The author also calls on the works of William Shakespeare, paying special attention to Macbeth. The witches in his plays- Joan La Pucelle, Margery Jourdain and the Weird Sisters, along with the witch-like figures, Margaret and Lady Macbeth create another instance of mothers with malevolent powers. Willis examines the mother-son relationship here as well.
Throughout her book, Willis has a clear focus. She masterfully gathers hundreds of sources; all to strengthen her single argument that witchcraft, though not wholly, was principally a gender-related crime. Willis� interest in the issue at hand was evident in her writing. It was as though she wanted not only to show the world what she had found, but also to prove to herself that what she believes is accurate. Furthermore, she did not rely too heavily on any particular source. Though she greatly valued the work of Melanie Klein, Willis furthered her theory by offering her own support and analysis, which can be found in her speculation of James VI and Shakespeare�s works.
While Professor Willis clearly states her points and supplies ample documentation, she has, as I see it, left out the one crucial piece that may invalidate her argument. That is, why did the practice of witchcraft at that magnitude simply appear then disappear only a short time later? And why was it only a problem in certain parts of the world, let alone the continent? Her attribution of sorcery to maternal characteristics does not seem to hold here. Surely, in the present day, mothers do not sufficiently supply their child�s every need. That is not to say that today a child does not resent his mother, but do children view their maternal parents as witches? And do older women nurture demonic imps with their third teat? Possibly, Willis has answers to these questions. But her not addressing them shows a weakness in her claim.
Deborah Willis is definitely on to something. A witch�s primarily female gender cannot be overlooked. And her malevolent nature most certainly plays a role. Her use of James VI as an illustration was warranted. And her mention of Shakespeare at the end was creative. But still, it is very crucial not to attribute such a vast and serious event in history to a single cause.
Annotated Reviews
Clark, Stuart. Review of Malevolent Nurture, by Deborah Willis. Shakespeare Studies 24 (1996): 340-347.
Stuart Clark seems to be very impressed with Willis�s contribution to the research topic of witchcraft. He applauds her clear interpretation of sources, her ability to raise new and thought-provoking questions and her decision not to trust all that has been previously widely accepted as fact. However, in spite of his hearty approval, he does seem dissatisfied with her labeling of "witch-hunting." According to him, there never was a "hunt" at all. Also, her choice of geographical focus concerns Clark. He claims that there were other areas of Europe worth focusing.
Bever, Edward. Review of Malevolent Nurture, by Deborah Willis. Journal of Social History 30 (Summer 1997): 995-997.
Edward Bever, first of all, admires her "eclecticism" to support her arguments and theories. He also approves of her pre-Oedipal approach to the cause of denouncing women as witches. However, he is not convinced that her use of Klein�s ideas makes a good enough case to prove her point. Neither are her specific cases suggestive enough nor her focus on England broad enough. So though her book contains some "flashes of real insight," for the most part it does not persuade Bever to adopt Willis�s views.
| URL: http://departments.kings.edu/womens_history/wrevwillis.html Written by Sarah McKelvy Last Revision: 12 November 2001 Copyright � MM Prof. Pavlac's Women's History Site |
Each episode features a different customer and the challenges they face in fixing their items. The sisters use their magical abilities and knowledge of spells to help their customers, often encountering unexpected twists and turns along the way. The comic also delves into the sisters' backstories, revealing more about their magical abilities and the world they live in. It explores themes of sisterhood, the power of magic, and the importance of using one's abilities to help others. Stitch Witch Sisters has gained a dedicated following since its launch, with fans praising its unique art style, engaging storylines, and relatable characters. The webcomic is updated regularly, with new episodes released on a weekly basis. Overall, Stitch Witch Sisters is a captivating and enchanting webcomic that combines elements of fantasy, humor, and sisterly love. It is a must-read for fans of magical stories and vibrant, imaginative artwork..
Reviews for "Stitch Witch Sisters: Weaving Threads of Inspiration and Magic"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Stitch wotch sistees". The film lacked depth and substance, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The plot was predictable and lacked any real twists or surprises. The humor fell flat for me, and I didn't find myself laughing at all. Overall, it was a forgettable and underwhelming experience.
2. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Stitch wotch sistees" to be quite mediocre. The storyline had potential, but it wasn't executed well. The pacing was off, and I often found myself bored and disinterested. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The comedy was hit or miss, with some jokes falling flat while others managed to get a chuckle out of me. Overall, I was hoping for something more entertaining and engaging.
3. Sarah - 3/5 stars - "Stitch wotch sistees" was an average film in my opinion. While it had its moments, it failed to leave a lasting impression. The characters were likable, but their development was minimal. The plot was predictable, but it had a few interesting twists along the way. The humor was hit or miss, with some jokes landing while others felt forced. It wasn't a terrible film, but it didn't stand out either. I would recommend it if you're looking for a lighthearted and forgettable watch.
4. Robert - 2/5 stars - I wasn't a fan of "Stitch wotch sistees". The film lacked originality and felt like a generic comedy that didn't bring anything new to the table. The performances were decent, but the characters were forgettable. The jokes were tired and overused, making them fall flat. The plot was predictable, and I didn't find myself invested in the story. Overall, it was a forgettable and uninspiring film that I wouldn't recommend.
5. Jennifer - 1/5 stars - "Stitch wotch sistees" was a complete letdown for me. The comedy was juvenile and lacked wit. The characters were poorly developed, and their interactions felt forced and unrealistic. The plot was cliché and predictable, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged. The film lacked depth and substance, leaving me feeling unsatisfied by the end. Overall, it was a forgettable and disappointing watch that I wouldn't recommend to others.