J.K. Rowling is facing backlash and a witch hunt over comments she made regarding transgender issues. The author, known for her Harry Potter book series, sparked controversy when she tweeted support for a researcher who was fired for stating that biological sex is real. In response to the backlash, Rowling wrote an essay explaining her views and expressing concern over the erasure of women's rights. Despite her attempts to clarify her position, many accused her of being transphobic and called for a boycott of her books.
[30] Charlotte-Rose Miller, Witchcraft, the Devil, and Emotions in Early Modern England, (London, 2017), p.71.
Medieval representations tying Jews to Satan were nothing new, and by the late 13 th century, Jewish attributes had soaked up enough ugly significance to tar all unbelievers, hypocrites, heretics, pagans, and demons, Jensen writes. 22 Shudder Of course this understanding of the Cathars was largely rubbish, propaganda designed to frighten and horrify the general population about a heretical threat.
Despite her attempts to clarify her position, many accused her of being transphobic and called for a boycott of her books. In the midst of the controversy, a podcast titled "J.K.
The Ale-Soaked Medieval Origins of the Witch's Hat
The tall pointed hats we associate with witches in pop culture were first worn by women hawking homemade beer.
October 31, 2018, 9:22pm Illustration via Getty Images/lezhepyoka; composite image by Munchies Staff.All this time, you thought witches were supposed to be brewing up potions in those big, bubbling cauldrons. But what if we told you that instead, those massive black pots were full of a more popular poison: beer?
As far as Halloween decorations and elementary school literature is concerned, witches are frequently portrayed as a craggy old woman with wispy gray hair, a big hooked nose, a pointed black hat, and maybe a broom. Those latter two accessories have historically also been tools of the once-female-dominated ale brewing trade, a connection that historians have been puzzling out for decades. Yep—historically speaking, those ladies in big pointy hats might have actually been brewing ale.
AdvertisementIllustration of a 17th century alewife by David Loggan, via Wikimedia Commons.
Women who brewed ale at home were known in medieval Europe as “alewives,” and they did so as part of their normal routine of domestic duties. While in contemporary America, beer brewing is often dominated by hyper-masculine stereotypes and entrepreneurship, ale brewing—much like butter churning or bread baking—was considered well within the domain of the woman’s sphere of work within the home. It was as much of a necessity of life as any of those other chores, given that fermented beverages were often safer to drink than water. And like butter, cheese, or any other homemade foodstuffs, if a household could produce enough beyond their own immediate needs, the women of the house often took their goods to market to make a little extra money.
In order to catch as many eyes as possible, and to signal from a distance what they were selling, these “brewsters” wore tall hats. As a cottage industry, there was very little oversight or regulation to the home-grown brewing businesses, according to Rod Phillips in the comprehensive text Alcohol: A History. But there were also large-scale commercial breweries, widely owned by men, which were leveraging new technologies and making larger quantities of product. As these operations grew and took on the appearance of a "real" profession, with guilds and trade associations, women were by and large excluded.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, small-scale ale producers, mostly brewsters, began to face accusations of a whole host of immoralities that caused irreparable damage to their reputations. According to Judith Bennett, the preeminent historian of women brewers in this period of England’s history, both the public and the male-dominated brewing industry accused brewsters of diluting or adulterating their ale with cheaper brews, and thus of cheating customers. Brewsters were also accused of selling tainted ales that could make drinkers sick, perhaps intentionally. And generally speaking, at this time, a woman having a working knowledge of herbal concoctions and medicines was highly suspect, and might face rumors that she was using her knowledge for nefarious ends. Thus, the sign of the humble alewife’s hat came to be associated with all the same evil maliciousness of a poison-peddling witch.
Illustration of a 17th century alewife by David Loggan, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rowling: A Witch Hunt" was released, aiming to explore the Rowling backlash and the wider issue of cancel culture. The podcast delves into the debate surrounding Rowling's comments and the subsequent social media storm. It provides a platform for different perspectives on the controversy and raises questions about freedom of speech, societal pressures, and the impact of cancel culture. While some argue that Rowling's comments are harmful and transphobic, others view the backlash as an overreaction and a silencing of differing opinions. The "J.K. Rowling: A Witch Hunt" podcast hopes to shed light on these complex issues and promote a dialogue grounded in understanding and empathy..
Reviews for "A Critical Analysis of J K Rowling's Witch Hunt Podcast"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "J K Rowling Witch Hunt" podcast. As a fan of J K Rowling and her work, I was excited to hear this podcast and learn more about her life and career. However, I found that the podcast focused too much on the controversies surrounding her and her views on gender identity, rather than her contributions to literature. It felt more like a biased attack on her, rather than an objective exploration of her work. I would have preferred if the podcast delved more into her writing process and the inspirations behind her beloved characters.
2. Mark - 1 star - I found the "J K Rowling Witch Hunt" podcast to be highly biased and agenda-driven. It seemed to only amplify the negative aspects of Rowling's career without providing any balanced perspective. The hosts constantly made assumptions about her intentions and delved into speculation instead of presenting concrete evidence. I believe it is important to approach controversial figures with objectivity, but this podcast failed to deliver that. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking an unbiased look at J K Rowling's work.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found the "J K Rowling Witch Hunt" podcast to be too one-sided and lacking in depth. While I understand that discussing controversial aspects of a public figure's views is important in today's discourse, I felt that this podcast missed an opportunity to explore the complexities of Rowling's life and work. Instead of a nuanced analysis, it seemed to be more like a collection of angry rants against her. I would have appreciated a more balanced approach that acknowledged both the positive and negative aspects of Rowling's career.
4. Alex - 1 star - The "J K Rowling Witch Hunt" podcast was a complete disappointment. Not only did it fail to offer any new insights or information about J K Rowling, but it perpetuated a negative narrative without any genuine attempt at understanding her perspective. The hosts seemed more interested in vilifying her than in engaging in a thoughtful discussion. I found the podcast to be biased and unprofessional, and would not recommend it to anyone seeking an objective look at Rowling's controversies.