In the book "Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft," Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum explore the events of the Salem witch trials and seek to understand their underlying causes. The authors argue that the witch trials were not simply the result of religious fanaticism or mass hysteria, but rather they were deeply rooted in the social and political tensions of the time. Boyer and Nissenbaum examine the town of Salem during the late 17th century and paint a vivid picture of the community's divisions and struggles. They show how Salem was a highly factionalized society, with different groups vying for power and influence. This division was not only economic, but also ideological, with Puritan religious beliefs deeply ingrained in the fabric of the community. The authors argue that the witch trials can be understood as a manifestation of these underlying social tensions.
As Ellie, you're partnered up with a talking witch hat named Virgil and sent off to live in a little house in the woods. There are no dead relatives as the base for this plot thankfully, as life sims are so in the habit of doing. Instead, it's customary for apprentice witches to do some on-site work, honing their craft and supporting a nearby village until they can become a full time witch.
Witch shop life sim no, not that one, and not this one either Little Witch in the Woods has entered early access on Steam this week and looks like it s already charming players. We fully understand players needs for keybinds customization, but at present, the development and implementation of this function is somewhat difficult, and we may need more time to ensure the implementation of it, Sunny Side says.
The authors argue that the witch trials can be understood as a manifestation of these underlying social tensions. Accusations of witchcraft were often made against members of rival factions, and the trials served as a means to settle old scores and eliminate political opponents. The witch panic, Boyer and Nissenbaum contend, provided an outlet for the community's anxieties and allowed individuals to vent their frustrations and fears.
Stardew but potions game Little Witch in the Woods is now in early access
This little crafting and town sim about apprentice witch Ellie has launched its first chapter.
(Image credit: Sunny Side Up)Witch shop life sim (no, not that one, and not this one either) Little Witch in the Woods has entered early access on Steam this week and looks like it's already charming players. This little community and crafting sim asks Ellie the apprentice witch to collect items around the forest while helping out the local community. As expected, the Stardew-but-little-witch concept seems to be reasonably popular so far in the first few days of early access.
As Ellie, you're partnered up with a talking witch hat named Virgil and sent off to live in a little house in the woods. There are no dead relatives as the base for this plot thankfully, as life sims are so in the habit of doing. Instead, it's customary for apprentice witches to do some on-site work, honing their craft and supporting a nearby village until they can become a full time witch.
I played just a tad of a Little Witch in the Woods demo during a past Steam Next Fest event and remember it for having an undeniably cute look and some pretty swell tunes that reminded me of PS2 RPGs.
No farming here, mind. Ellie explores the forest collecting plants and cataloging creatures in between chatting with the locals. Crafting potions involves following recipes with precise steps at different brewing stations down in her witch lab. I'm certainly more interested in that than the pared-down crafting systems in other games, which often just involve having items in my inventory.
As it's just launched in early access, developer Sunny Side Up has explained that its goal is to get to full launch in 2023. Right now, Little Witch includes a prologue and the first chapter of the story, which Sunny Side Up estimates to be about five hours of playtime. The finished version is planned to have the prologue, three chapters, and an ending. The developers will be adding more activities, locations, items, and characters during its time in early access.
Sunny Side Up is already digging into initial feedback, with two posts detailing its plans. One main ask from players is the ability to rebind controls.
"We fully understand players' needs for keybinds customization, but at present, the development and implementation of this function is somewhat difficult, and we may need more time to ensure the implementation of it," Sunny Side says. So that'll be coming at some point, it sounds like.
You can find Little Witch in the Woods over on Steam where it's normally $16 and currently 10% off for another couple days.
Furthermore, the authors highlight the central role that gender played in the witch trials. The overwhelming majority of those accused and executed for witchcraft were women, and Boyer and Nissenbaum explore the reasons behind this gender disparity. They argue that women were often seen as inherently more susceptible to witchcraft due to their perceived weaknesses and vulnerabilities. The trials thus allowed the patriarchal society to maintain control over women and reinforce traditional gender roles. Overall, Boyer and Nissenbaum's work provides a fascinating analysis of the social origins of the Salem witch trials. By examining the underlying divisions and tensions within the community, the authors shed light on the complex factors that contributed to the outbreak of witch hysteria. Their book is a valuable contribution to the field of historical scholarship and offers important insights into the motivations behind this dark chapter in American history..
Reviews for "The Psychology of Witch Hunts: Examining the Societal Factors in Salem"
1. John Smith - 1/5
I found "Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft" to be a tedious and confusing read. The authors, Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, presented their arguments in a convoluted and overly academic manner, making it difficult to follow along with their points. Additionally, I felt that they often delved too deeply into unnecessary historical details, losing sight of the main topic at hand. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah Johnson - 2/5
While "Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft" is undoubtedly a well-researched book, I found it to be overly dense and dry. The authors certainly provide a thorough examination of the social and economic factors that contributed to the Salem witch trials, but their writing style lacks clarity and engagement. It felt more like reading a textbook than an engaging historical account. I appreciate the effort put into this book, but it failed to hold my interest throughout.
3. Robert Thompson - 2/5
Having a strong interest in the Salem witch trials, I was excited to read "Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft." However, I found the authors' arguments to be unconvincing and their evidence lacking. It felt like they were grasping at straws to support their theories. Additionally, the book was overly verbose, making it a difficult and tiresome read. I believe there are much better books out there that explore the social origins of witchcraft in Salem, and I would not recommend this one to anyone looking for a comprehensive and well-supported analysis.
4. Linda Anderson - 3/5
While "Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft" presents an interesting perspective on the Salem witch trials, I found it to be rather repetitive and overly detailed. The authors seemed to reiterate the same points repeatedly, making the book feel unnecessarily long. Although I appreciate the comprehensive approach they took, I think the book could have benefited from a more concise and focused presentation. Overall, it was an informative read, but I don't think it was the most engaging or enjoyable book on the topic.