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.
This clip allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the fallacy of the undistributed middle. This analysis also allows for a productive discussion about the difference between validity and soundness. In particular, the first argument is valid but unsound. The students find this a great example to flesh out their intuitions.
When Booth s witch gets brought to him she straightforwardly tells the Knight Magistrate that she s not a witch and that the mob has dressed her like one, even by forcing her to wear a false nose that looks very much like a colour drained carrot on a string. After going through the script and helping the students find this basic structure or something similar , we then turn to a logical analysis of this argument.
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.
Hoky grai witch scene
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by Burkard Polster and Marty Ross
17:03
- Crowd: A witch! A witch! A witch! We found a witch! We've got a witch! A witch! A witch! We have found a witch. May we burn her?
- How do you know she is a witch
- She looks like one.
- Bring her forward.
- I'm not a witch! I'm not a witch !
- But you are dressed as one.
- They dressed me like this. - No, we didn't.
- And this isn't my nose. It's a false one.
- Well? - We did do the nose.
- The nose? - And the hat. But she is a witch !
- Did you dress her up like this? - No, no!
- Yes. A bit.
- She has got a wart.
- What makes you think she's a witch?
- She turned me into a newt!
- A newt?
- I got better.
- Burn her anyway!
- Quiet! Quiet!
- There are ways of telling whether she is a witch.
- Are there? What are they? Tell us. - Do they hurt?
- Tell me, what do you do with witches?
- Burn them!
- And what do you burn, apart from witches?
- More witches! - Wood!
- So why do witches burn?
- 'Cause they're made of wood? - Good!
- How do we tell if she is made of wood? - Build a bridge out of her.
- But can you not also make bridges out of stone?
- Oh, yeah.
- Does wood sink in water?
- No, it floats. - Throw her into the pond!
- What also floats in water?
- Bread. - Apples.
- Very small rocks. - Cider! Great gravy.
- Cherries. Mud. - Churches.
- Lead. - A duck!
- Exactly.
- So, logically--
- If she weighs the same as a duck.
- she's made of wood.
- And therefore?
- A witch!
- A duck! A duck! - Here's a duck.
- We shaIl use my largest scales.
- Burn the witch !
- Remove the supports!
- A witch!
- It's a fair cop.
- Who are you, who are so wise in the ways of science?
- I am Arthur, king of the Britons.
P2. All things that weigh the same as a duck are things that can float.
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 Role of Social Control in the Salem Witch Trials"
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.