I have a magic fir tree in my backyard. It is not just an ordinary tree, but a tree with extraordinary powers. This tree has the ability to grant wishes. It may sound too good to be true, but I assure you, it is real. The magic fir tree stands tall and proud, its branches reaching out towards the sky. Its leaves are evergreen, making it a beautiful sight to behold all year round.
"The Witch," a period drama/horror film by first-time writer/director Robert Eggers, tellingly advertises itself as "a New England folktale" instead of a fairy tale. Fairy tales are, at heart, parables that prescribe moral values. "The Witch," a feminist narrative that focuses on an American colonial family as they undergo what seems to be an otherworldly curse, is more like a sermon. Sermons pose questions that use pointedly allegorical symbols to make us reconsider our lives, just as one character uses the Book of Job to understand her role in her family (more on Job shortly). But "The Witch" is not a morality play in a traditional sense. It's an ensemble drama about a faithless family on the verge of self-destruction. And it is about women, and the patriarchal stresses that lead to their disenfranchisement.
It s probably not grieving mother Katherine Kate Dickie , though Eggers gives ample consideration to her mourning of infant son Samuel, who has disappeared under unusual circumstances. Part of the reason, as historian Elizabeth Reis has written, was physical Puritans believed that the Devil had an easier time gaining access to women s physically weaker bodies.
Its leaves are evergreen, making it a beautiful sight to behold all year round. However, its true power lies within its roots. Whenever someone comes to the magic fir tree and makes a wish, the tree listens.
The Surprising True History Behind The Witch
T he new movie The Witch, in theaters Friday, draws on both reality and fairy tale to create the story of a Puritan family’s terrifying encounter with the title character. Filmmaker Robert Eggers spent years researching the period, from daily 17th-century life and the way people really spoke, to the true history of early American witch trials.
You may think you know about that last part: in Salem, Mass., in 1692, a group of young girls claimed they were bewitched, sparking a frenzy that eventually resulted in the hangings of 19 people.
But what happened in Salem was also “highly anomalous,” says bestselling author and witch expert Katherine Howe, who edited and annotated the Penguin Book of Witches. The extent and intensity of the incident in Salem have helped it remain famous, but Howe says that fame gives us a skewed view of the history of witches in the U.S.
A more typical witch trial “would usually be one woman, or occasionally two, often who’d had a bad reputation for quite some time,” Howe says. “It was actually kind of hard, believe it or not, to try somebody as a witch.” According to one calculation, the conviction rate—excepting Salem and confessions—was under one in five. And though Salem is noted for the youth of the accusers, Howe says that more often “accusers were women who were peers of, often longstanding acquaintances of or neighbors of, the woman being accused.” Suspected witches and their accusers were also more likely to be middle-aged. When children got involved, it was usually as the object of a witch’s interest.
One element that the prevailing wisdom does get right, however, is that most people believed to be witches at the time were women—though not because gender was part of the definition of a witch. Part of the reason, as historian Elizabeth Reis has written, was physical: Puritans believed that the Devil had an easier time gaining access to women’s physically weaker bodies. But, perhaps more importantly, there were social reasons for women to be more frequently accused. The stereotypes of the time held that women were predisposed to sin: they were seen as more sexual, more tempted by material goods and more in need of a guiding authority, “specifically in the form of the church or a father or husband,” Howe says.
It followed that those accused of witchcraft were those who failed to fit in with the strict Puritan expectations for women, for example by remaining childless at a time when most gave birth many times. “That’s something you see articulated in the film,” Howe adds: though the mother expresses anxiety that “her daughter is constantly at risk for moral imperfections,” that concern is “not an anxiety that is ever articulated about the son.”
There are other elements of real history that Howe says are reflected in the Witch, like the “real scarcity” of the period—when minor hardships attributed to witches, like food going bad, posed a real problem—and the threat perceived in the nearby wilderness. As Cotton Mather wrote in his 1693 book on the Salem witch trials, The Wonders of the Invisible World, “The New-Englanders are a People of God settled in those, which were once the Devil’s Territories.” This sharp divide between wilderness and civilization was especially important in the Puritan’s morally black-and-white universe, where, Howe says, “either you were Christian or you were devilish.”
While Howe says that most often witch accusations were a case of “women policing the behavior of other women” when they failed to fulfill gender norms, The Witch does provide a window into the fears and hardships which shaped Puritan life, with details pulled straight from the primary sources.
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And what did he steal? A silver wine cup. Time and again, Eggers adds hints of the Biblical, to thicken the air of piety that these people breathe. One of them, in the wake of a spell, vomits up a whole apple, shiny and intact. When they pray, they are planted squarely in the frame, and viewed either from behind, kneeling on the ground with their hands conjoined and upraised, or head on, at table, as in the Last Supper, with William saying grace. Thomasin, alone, confesses to the Almighty, “I have, in secret, played upon thy Sabbath,” compelling us to wonder what her games consist of and whether they count as play.
It absorbs the wish into its roots, taking it deep within itself. Then, as if by some kind of miracle, the tree grants the wish. I discovered the magical abilities of this fir tree quite by accident. One day, I was feeling down and went to sit under the tree to clear my mind. Without thinking, I whispered my deepest desire to the tree. To my astonishment, my wish came true the very next day. Since then, I have shared the secret of the magic fir tree with a select few. They too have experienced the power of this enchanting tree. Some wished for good health, and their ailments vanished overnight. Others wished for financial stability, and found unexpected success in their careers. However, there is a catch. The tree is wise and discerning. It only grants wishes that come from the heart, and those that are selfless in nature. Materialistic desires and selfish wishes are not granted by the magic fir tree. It knows that true happiness lies in the well-being and happiness of others. The magic fir tree has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for our community. People come from far and wide to make their wishes under its branches. It has become a place of solace and belief in the power of wishes. Some skeptics may doubt the existence of such a tree, dismissing it as nothing more than folklore. But for those who have experienced its magic, there is no doubt in their minds. The magic fir tree is real, and its powers are nothing short of extraordinary. So if you ever find yourself in need of a little magic in your life, seek out the magic fir tree. Whisper your wishes to its branches, and believe in the power of your desires. Who knows, maybe the magic fir tree will grant your wish too..
Reviews for "My Magic Fir: A Reminder of the Simplicity and Beauty in Nature"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "My Magic Fir". The storyline was predictable and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also quite amateurish, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found the book to be dull and uninteresting.
2. Samantha - 1 star
I couldn't finish "My Magic Fir". The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and chaotic climaxes. The author also introduced too many unnecessary subplots that added nothing to the story. The prose was clunky and full of grammatical errors, which made it even more challenging to read. I regret wasting my time on this book.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I expected "My Magic Fir" to be a heartwarming holiday read, but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The book lacked originality, relying on tired and overused tropes. The characters were uninteresting, and their development was superficial at best. The dialogue felt forced, with little natural flow. The narrative also dragged on unnecessarily, making the reading experience tedious. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a memorable and enjoyable holiday story.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "My Magic Fir", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing was bland and lacked any meaningful descriptions or imagery. The plot was predictable and offered no surprises or twists. The main character was not relatable, and I found it hard to sympathize or root for them. The pacing was also off, with slow parts dragging on and the climax feeling rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to others.