The witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, which took place in 1692, were a significant event in colonial American history. The context in which these trials occurred was shaped by various factors, including politics, religion, societal fear, and individual motives. The trials were ultimately a manifestation of the broader tensions and anxieties that existed in the Puritan community of Salem during that time. At the time of the witch trials, Salem was a small, tight-knit community that adhered to strict Puritan beliefs. The Puritans believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible and had a fervent belief in the existence of witches and the devil's power to influence human affairs. This religious context laid the groundwork for the widespread belief in witchcraft and the subsequent hysteria that gripped Salem.
Big Anthony has a case of spring fever and he needs a little Night Life to cheer him up!
He was the recipient of the Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, and the 2011 Children s Literature Legacy Award for significant and lasting contribution to children s literature. As someone who read and enjoyed Strega Nona countless times as a girl, but who never knew about the many sequels, I was happy to finally pick up Big Anthony and the Magic Ring , which is every bit as entertaining as its predecessor.
This religious context laid the groundwork for the widespread belief in witchcraft and the subsequent hysteria that gripped Salem. However, it wasn't just religious ideology that contributed to the witch trials. There were also political motivations at play.
Big Anthony and the Magic Ring
When Big Anthony borrows Strega Nona's magic ring to turn himself into a handsome man, he gets more trouble than fun.
User reviews
LibraryThing member sbhoward321Big Anthony, Strega Nona's assistant, gets spring fever and Strega Nona tells him to go and have a little Night Life. After Strega Nona told Anthony to go out dancing, Strega Nona decided she wanted to have herself a little Night Life. Anthony watched her and Strega Nona put on a magic ring which
Show Moremade her turn into a beautiful young woman and went out dancing. Anthony wanted to try this and become the most handsome man in all of Calabria, so he waited until Strega Nona left and took her ring. He became the most handsome man and all the women started chasing him, so he wanted to become his old self again, but could not get the ring off. He ran into Strega Nona and she put olive oil on his finger to get it off and he turned back into his old self.
Show Less LibraryThing member LanitaBosticBig Anthony was helper to Strega Nona. He worked very hard all winter. As the seasons changed, Big Anthony grew more tired every day. Strega Nona diagnosed him with spring fever. She told Big Anthony that he needed a taste of the night life. Strega Nona wanted a taste as well. She worked her magic
Show Moreto make herself beautiful before going to the dance. Of course, Big Anthony saw her and waited to the right moment to steal a little magic for himself. When he did so, he got himself into trouble again. As usual, Strega Nona had to fix his mess. The story is great for teaching a lesson on consequences for touching other peoples things or following rules that have been set for you.
Show Less LibraryThing member jenvidAnthony has done it again! Strega Nona leaves, and he takes a magical ring. The ring turns him into a handsome man, and the ladies chase him all over town. This is a funny tale, and it teaches that something might go wrong when warned not to do something. This is a wonderful tale to read during
Show Morestory time. As an activity, I could have my students write what they would like to have as a super power, and then they would have to write a chant to turn into that power. This would allow my students to practice their writing skills.
Show Less LibraryThing member kidlit9When Big Anthony borrows Strega Nona's magic ring to turn himself into a handsome man, he gets more trouble than fun.
LibraryThing member ecosborneThis book is about Big Anthony feeling down so Strega Nona says he should go out to the dance. Strega Nona thinks its a good idea and she uses a magic ring to make her young and beautiful and she goes dancing however Big Anthony sees and the following day he borrows the ring to make him handsome
Show Morebut it ends badly as the ring gets stuck. This is a very funny story with a nice moral to it that wishing for what you don't have can only end in tears.
Show Less LibraryThing member fashionablyloud1 Love all the "magic" of the story! LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26Spring has come, and Big Anthony is feeling a bit fuzzy-headed in this sequel to the Caldecott Honor-winning Strega Nona. Advised by his employer to go into town and enjoy some night life, Big Anthony doesn't feel particularly motivated. Then he witnesses Strega Nona using her magic ring to
Show Moretransform herself into a beauty, trotting off to enjoy the tarantella. No sooner has Strega Nona gone off, than Big Anthony takes her ring and tries the same thing. Now a desperately handsome man, he finds that all that attention can have its downside. Will Strega Nona arrive in time to save him from his folly.
It's another delightful adventure with Big Anthony and Strega Nona, as the witch's servant once again attempts to use her magic, only to find that he hasn't the skill or knowledge to do so properly. As someone who read and enjoyed Strega Nona countless times as a girl, but who never knew about the many sequels, I was happy to finally pick up Big Anthony and the Magic Ring, which is every bit as entertaining as its predecessor! I enjoyed both story and artwork here, and finished the book with a desire to continue on with the series about these characters. Recommended to anyone who loved Strega Nona, or who enjoys magical stories with a humorous bent.
Show Less LibraryThing member cyderryBig Anthony is at it again when he sees Strega Nona transformed into a beautiful young lady with the magic from her golden ring, he decides that he'll try it too. The ring transforms him into a handsome young man but when he is overrun by the young ladies in the village he cannot get the ring off
Show Moreto change back. He reaches Strega Nonna and vows to stay away from her magic.
So cute! I love these stories!
but it ends badly as the ring gets stuck. This is a very funny story with a nice moral to it that wishing for what you don't have can only end in tears.
Massachusetts was experiencing a period of uncertainty and instability, with ongoing conflicts with neighboring Native American tribes and the looming threat of war with France and England. In this context, the witch trials offered a way to redirect anxieties and establish a sense of control and order in the community. Moreover, the trials were also fueled by societal fear and suspicion. Salem was a community in which everyone knew each other's business, and any deviation from the norm was viewed with suspicion. The trials provided an outlet for individuals to accuse their neighbors, settle personal scores, or gain influence and power within the community. Individual motives also played a significant role in the witch trials. Many of those accused of witchcraft were women who didn't conform to the Puritan ideals of femininity and subservience. These women often had lower social standing, were unmarried, or had outspoken personalities, making them easy targets for accusations. Additionally, there were instances of property disputes, jealousy, and personal vendettas that fueled accusations of witchcraft. Overall, the context of the witch trials in Salem was a complex web of religious beliefs, political tensions, societal fears, and individual motives. It was a perfect storm that led to the mass hysteria, accusations, trials, and executions of innocent individuals. The events in Salem serve as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangerous consequences that can arise when fear and suspicion are allowed to govern a community..
Reviews for "Salem Witch Trials: Examining the Legal System at the Time"
1. John - 2/5 stars - The Context of the Witch Trials in Salem failed to captivate my interest from the start. The author's writing style was dry and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the subject matter. Additionally, the book seemed to focus too much on providing an overview of the events, rather than delving into the intricacies of the trials. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing for a more thorough analysis of the witch trials in Salem.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found The Context of the Witch Trials in Salem to be incredibly tedious and uninformative. The book was filled with unnecessary details and repetitive information, which made it a struggle to get through. It lacked a clear, cohesive narrative, and the writing felt disjointed and confusing. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the motivations and mindset of those involved in the witch trials, but this book failed to provide any meaningful insights. Overall, it was a disappointing read that did not meet my expectations.
3. Roberta - 2/5 stars - While The Context of the Witch Trials in Salem offered a comprehensive overview of the historical events that took place during the witch trials, I found it to be rather dry and lacking in personal anecdotes or engaging storytelling. The author seemed more focused on presenting the facts and figures rather than exploring the human aspects of the trials. The lack of emotional connection and personal stories made it difficult for me to fully grasp the impact and significance of the events. I was left craving a more personal and captivating narrative that would have brought the subject matter to life.