The Change of Heart witch trial occurred in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 during the infamous Salem witch trials. This particular trial is notable because it involved a shift in belief and actions from the accusers, the Putnam family. The Putnam family, specifically Ann Putnam Jr. and her mother Ann Putnam Sr., played a significant role in sparking the initial accusations and hysteria that led to the witch trials. They accused numerous individuals of witchcraft, causing panic and fear within the Salem community.
They accused numerous individuals of witchcraft, causing panic and fear within the Salem community. However, during the Change of Heart witch trial, the Putnam family had a change of heart themselves. They publicly admitted their mistakes, withdrew their accusations, and even apologized to those they had wrongfully accused.
Witchcraft, Sorcery, Rumors and Gossip
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- Online publication date: November 2009
- Print publication year: 2003
- Online ISBN: 9780511616310
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511616310
- Subjects: Social and Cultural Anthropology, Sociology: General Interest, Anthropology: General Interest, Anthropology, Sociology
- Series: New Departures in Anthropology
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Witchcraft, Sorcery, Rumors and Gossip- Pamela J. Stewart , Andrew Strathern
- Online ISBN: 9780511616310
- Book DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511616310
Book description
Witchcraft, Sorcery, Rumors, and Gossip combines two classic topics in social anthropology in a new synthesis: the study of witchcraft and sorcery and the study of rumours and gossip. It shows how rumour and gossip are invariably important as catalysts for accusations of witchcraft and sorcery, and demonstrates the role of rumour and gossip in the genesis of social and political violence, as in the case of both peasant rebellions and witch-hunts. Examples supporting the argument are drawn from Africa, Europe, India, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. They include discussions of witchcraft trials in Essex, England in the seventeenth century, witch-hunts and vampire narratives in colonial and contemporary Africa, millenarian movements in New Guinea, the Indian Mutiny in nineteenth-century Uttar Pradesh, and rumours of construction sacrifice in Indonesia.
Reviews
‘The topic of witchcraft needs up-dating in exactly this way. Witchcraft beliefs are too often studied in an arcane anthropological bye-water, but this approach offers a wide synthesis of an important field.’
Mary Douglas - University College London
‘These themes are of great relevance today …’.
Source: Oxfam’s Development Resources Review
'… a brave and original attempt by a pair of anthropologists specializing in the study of New Guinea to introduce a new element into the analysis of that most elusive of concepts, 'witchcraft', by relating studies concerning various times and places to patterns of gossip and rumour. The general model [used is that] … all human communities indulge in gossip and spread rumours. When the gossip about a person gets sufficiently unpleasant, or perhaps when there is a clear threat against an entire society … the targets of hate speech are liable to become the victims of direct verbal or even physical attack … Where anthropological and historical specialists on 'witchcraft' risk going in different directions, each being too little aware of the existence of the other, Stewart and Strathern are admirably open-minded and inclusive. There is no better book for those who want to think about 'witchcraft' not as a curious and outmoded folly, but as something that is considered by many to exist, and which bears an uncomfortable relationship to forms of perceived deviance that are all too common in the most scientifically advanced countries, and can lead to forms of persecution that are all too tragic.'
Stephen Ellis - Afrika-Studiocentrum, Leiden
February 22, 2013
This change of heart was unprecedented during the witch trials and shocked the community. There were several factors that likely contributed to the Putnam family's change of heart. Firstly, the growing hysteria and devastation caused by the witch trials may have caused them to reevaluate their actions. As the trials continued, innocent individuals were being accused, imprisoned, and even executed based on false claims of witchcraft. Additionally, the Putnam family may have faced pressure from the increasing skepticism and doubt surrounding the validity of the accusations. Many members of the community began questioning the reliability of the evidence and the motives behind the accusations. The Putnam family's change of heart could have been an attempt to restore their own reputation and distance themselves from the tarnished legacy of the witch trials. The Change of Heart witch trial served as a turning point in the Salem witch trials, as it marked one of the first instances of individuals taking responsibility for their actions and admitting their mistakes. It showcased the power of personal reflection and the potential for redemption, even in the midst of mass hysteria and unjust persecution. Overall, the Change of Heart witch trial was a significant event in the history of the Salem witch trials. It demonstrated the potential for individuals and the community as a whole to reevaluate their beliefs and actions, and to seek justice and truth in the face of injustice and hysteria..
Reviews for "The Impact of Public Opinion on the Change of Heart Witch Trials"
1. John Doe - 1/5 - Change of Heart Witch Trial was a complete disappointment. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The writing was also quite subpar, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found it difficult to stay engaged with the story and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
2. Jane Smith - 2/5 - I had high hopes for Change of Heart Witch Trial, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story started off promising, but quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The pacing was all over the place, with long stretches of nothing happening, followed by sudden and rushed plot twists. The lack of depth in the characters made it hard for me to care about what was happening to them. While I appreciated the attempt at incorporating witch trial history, it was poorly executed. Overall, I found the book underwhelming and would not recommend it.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2/5 - Change of Heart Witch Trial had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The writing style was overly descriptive, making it hard to stay engaged. The constant shifting between past and present was confusing and disrupted the flow of the story. The characters lacked depth and often made unrealistic decisions. While there were some intriguing elements, they were overshadowed by the book's numerous flaws. Unfortunately, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not read another book by this author.