The Curse of Shadows and Thorns is a mythical tale that has been passed down through generations. It tells the story of a forbidden love between a mortal and a supernatural being. They were deeply in love but were forbidden from being together due to their different worlds. The mortal, named Tessa, was a breathtakingly beautiful young woman who lived in a small village surrounded by a dense forest. She was known for her kindness and her ability to heal people with herbs and remedies. Tessa had a gentle spirit and a captivating smile that could light up even the darkest of nights.
Tessa had a gentle spirit and a captivating smile that could light up even the darkest of nights. The supernatural being, named Morwen, was a mysterious creature who lived in the shadows of the forest. He was a handsome and enigmatic figure, with dark eyes that seemed to hold centuries of secrets.
Understanding the Salem Witch Trials
Engraving of a witchcraft trial at Salem Village. The central figure in this 1876 illustration of the courtroom is usually identified as Mary Walcott.
Salem, Massachusetts in 1691 was the home of a Puritan community with a strict moral code. In addition to the difficulties of farming in a harsh climate with rough terrain, Salem faced economic and political unrest. In this community, a group of girls accused an Indian slave named Tituba of witchcraft. Tituba confessed under pressure from court officials, and her confession ignited a hunt for witches that left 19 men and women hanged, one man pressed to death, and over 150 more people in prison awaiting a trial. In this lesson, students will explore the characteristics of the Puritan community in Salem, learn about the Salem Witchcraft Trials, and try to understand how and why this event occurred.
Guiding Questions
What was life like in Puritan New England?
What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
To what extent do the historic records show that the accused were innocent until proven guilty?
Learning Objectives
Describe cultural practices of the majority in Puritan New England.
Create a timeline of the events of the Salem Witch Trials.
Analyze multiple interpretations of the Salem Witch Trials.
Construct a position on whether the trials were justified.
Subjects & Topic:A More Perfect Union
History & Social Studies
Civics U.S. History Grade: 6-8Lesson Plan Details
BackgroundSalem, Massachusetts in the late 1600s faced a number of serious challenges to a peaceful social fabric. Salem was divided into a prosperous town and a farming village. The villagers, in turn, were split into factions that fiercely debated whether to seek ecclesiastical and political independence from the town. In 1689 the villagers won the right to establish their own church and chose the Reverend Samuel Parris, a former merchant, as their minister. His rigid ways and seemingly boundless demands for compensation increased the already present friction. Many villagers vowed to drive Parris out, and they stopped contributing to his salary in October 1691.
These local concerns only compounded the severe social stresses that had already been affecting New England for two decades. A 1675 conflict with the Indians known as King Philip's War had resulted in more deaths relative to the size of the population than any other war in American history. A decade later, in 1685, King James II's government revoked the Massachusetts charter. A new royally-appointed governor, Sir Edmund Andros, sought to unite New England, New York, and New Jersey into a single Dominion of New England. He tried to abolish elected colonial assemblies, restrict town meetings, and impose direct control over militia appointments, and permitted the first public celebration of Christmas in Massachusetts, a celebration of which Puritans strongly disapproved. After William III replaced James II as King of England in 1689, Andros's government was overthrown, but Massachusetts was required to eliminate religious qualifications for voting and to extend religious toleration to sects such as the Quakers. The late seventeenth century also saw a increase in the number of black slaves in New England, which further unsettled the existing social order.
In February 1692, Betty Parris, Reverend Parris's daughter, as well as her friends Abigail Williams and Ann Putnam, became ill with symptoms that doctors could not diagnose, including fits and delirium. Dr. Griggs, who attended to the "afflicted" girls, suggested that they might be bewitched. Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, and Mary Warren later claimed affliction as well.
Prodded by Parris and others, the girls named their tormentors: Sarah Good, a poor woman; Sarah Osbourn, an elderly woman; and Tituba, a slave who had told them stories involving Vudou beliefs. The women were tried for witchcraft - Good and Osbourn claimed innocence, and Tituba confessed. Tituba's detailed confession included a claim that there were several undiscovered witches who wanted to destroy the community. This caused a witch-hunting rampage: 19 men and women were hanged, one man was pressed to death, and over 150 more people were imprisoned, awaiting trial.
On September 22, 1692, the last eight alleged witches were hanged. On October 8, 1692, Governor Phipps ordered that spectral evidence (when someone claimed to witness a person's spirit in a separate location from that same person's physical body) could no longer be admitted in witchcraft trials. On October 29, 1692 Phipps prohibited further arrests and released many accused witches. The remaining alleged witches were pardoned by May 1693. The hangings of witches in 1692 were the last such hangings in America.
For more information, see the following EDSITEment-reviewed websites:
- Digital History: The Salem Witch Scare
- Witchcraft in Salem Village
- Overview
- Tituba Biography
NCSS. D1.1.6-8. Explain how a question represents key ideas in the field.
NCSS.D2.His.1.6-8. Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts.
NCSS.D2.His.2.6-8. Classify series of historical events and developments as examples of change and/or continuity.
NCSS.D2.His.3.6-8. Use questions generated about individuals and groups to analyze why they, and the developments they shaped, are seen as historically significant.
NCSS.D2.His.4.6-8. Analyze multiple factors that influenced the perspectives of people during different historical eras.
NCSS.D2.His.5.6-8. Explain how and why perspectives of people have changed over time.
Preparation- Review the lesson plan. Locate and bookmark suggested materials and other useful websites. Download and print out documents you will use and duplicate copies as necessary for student viewing.
- Students can access the primary source materials and some of the activity materials via the EDSITEment LaunchPad.
- Familiarize yourself with the Salem Witch Trials. For an overview, consult Digital History. For more detailed information, consult Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive.
- If you plan to have students create pictures, or if you want to use larger sized paper for your students' timelines, be sure to have those materials handy.
- Though each reading activity provides questions for discussion for the readings, teachers may wish to spend a few minutes with students asking introductory questions to help distill what they have read.
Morwen was a guardian of nature and had the power to control the thorny vines that grew in the forest. Despite their different worlds, Tessa and Morwen fell deeply in love with one another. They would meet in secret, under the cover of night, sharing stolen moments of passion and tenderness. But their forbidden love could not go unnoticed forever. One day, the village elder discovered Tessa's secret relationship with Morwen. Fearing the wrath of the supernatural being, the elder decided to take drastic measures to protect the village. He cast a curse upon Morwen, forbidding him from ever setting foot in the village again. The curse was placed upon him, transforming him into a creature of shadows and thorns. As the curse took hold, Morwen found himself trapped in a world of darkness and pain. He grew thorny vines all over his body, causing him to become an intimidating figure. Wherever he went, shadows followed, enveloping him in an aura of darkness and despair. The curse not only affected Morwen physically, but it also caused him to lose his ability to love. He became bitter and resentful towards humans, blaming them for his curse. Tessa, heartbroken by the consequences of their love, could not bear to see Morwen suffer. She ventured into the forest in search of a way to break the curse. She encountered many trials and dangers along the way, but her determination and love for Morwen kept her going. After a long journey, Tessa stumbled upon an ancient book of spells hidden deep within a forgotten cave. She discovered a spell that had the power to break curses and restore love. With newfound hope, Tessa returned to Morwen and performed the spell, breaking the curse that had plagued him for so long. As the curse shattered, Morwen transformed back into his true form, free from the shadows and thorns. Tessa and Morwen were finally able to be together openly, their love stronger than ever. Their story became a legend, reminding people of the power of love and the consequences of forbidden desires. To this day, the Curse of Shadows and Thorns is remembered as a cautionary tale. It serves as a reminder that love can overcome even the most powerful curses, but it also warns of the dangers of pursuing forbidden desires..
Reviews for "Defying Destiny: Escaping the Grip of the Curse of Shadows and Thorns"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - "Curse of Shadows and Thorns" was a disappointing read for me. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, with too many subplots that never really came together. The characters were also quite forgettable, lacking depth and development. Overall, I found it difficult to connect with the story or feel invested in the outcome. Unfortunately, this book just didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Mark - 1/5 - I honestly couldn't finish "Curse of Shadows and Thorns". The writing style was incredibly dull and lacked any sort of excitement or emotion. The pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged, and the dialogue felt forced. Additionally, there were numerous grammatical errors and typos, which further detracted from the reading experience. I found myself constantly rolling my eyes and ultimately gave up on the book. Definitely not worth the time or effort.
3. Emma - 2/5 - "Curse of Shadows and Thorns" had an interesting premise, but failed to deliver on its potential. The world-building was weak and lacked detail, leaving me feeling disconnected from the setting. The romance subplot felt forced and unrealistic, with little development or chemistry between the characters. The plot twists were predictable and the writing style didn't captivate me. While it had the potential to be a captivating fantasy read, this book fell flat for me.
A Haunting Tale: The Origins of the Curse of Shadows and Thorns