Japan Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Halloween is just around the corner, and I just thought that I would bring this up. I read a couple of theories about why the people in Salem were out of their minds in English class today. One, erotic, a fungus that was found on the rye that can cause hallucinations. The rye was what they used to make bread. Two, the people were suffering from a mental illness. Those were the theories that I read, but another came up in class. The theory that my class came up with was that all of the accusers were acting. What do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Well I read a book based on the Salem Witch Trials, called the Crucible. It was pretty good, and the explanation it gave was that all the people were indeed acting. The people mainly started accusing others, just so they can gain something in return. Me, I really don't know what to think, and have never given it much thought. Oh well:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maully Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 [color=green][size=1]I am a big believer in the ergot poisoning theory. Although that can't be blamed for all of the hysteria. People get this gang mentality, and that is to blame for a lot of it, I think. Some people see things because they are hopped up on Ergot, a mold which grows on rye, and can have the same effects as LSD, think they see something, convince others they saw it, and BOOM! you've got an angry mob. Also, a lot of people accused were people in powerful positions that a lot of people would benefit from their being out of the way. What an easy way to get someone out of the way for good? Kill them, and have someone else do it legally. She's a witch, Burn Her!!! Although they really didn't burn many of them... There are LOTS of theories, really, but those two are my favorite, drugs and jealousy...[/color][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 I feel it was very needed. There aren't any true witches nowadays and why? Because of these trials. I don't know why people keep on talking as if it was some kinda catastrophy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heaven's Cloud Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by WW2 [/i] [B]Well I read a book based on the Salem Witch Trials, called the Crucible. It was pretty good, and the explanation it gave was that all the people were indeed acting. The people mainly started accusing others, just so they can gain something in return. Me, I really don't know what to think, and have never given it much thought. Oh well:D [/B][/QUOTE] [color=indigo]Arthur Miller's [b]Crucible[/b] was a great parable on the McCarthy hearings but I don't know how true to the real Salem Witch trial events it is... I personally think the hysteria was generated by religious leaders manipulating the masses. At the time in Salem, religion was a way of life for people, they ate, drank and breathed the church. When people are dedicated to a cause it can become blinding, especially when a charismatic individual or group of individuals is organizing a group against a member of society that is considiered a bit of an eccentric...[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eleanor Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 [size=1][QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Heaven's Cloud [/i] [B][color=indigo] At the time in Salem, religion was a way of life for people, they ate, drank and breathed the church. When people are dedicated to a cause it can become blinding, especially when a charismatic individual or group of individuals is organizing a group against a member of society that is considiered a bit of an eccentric...[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] So in turn they called any idiosyncrasy a factor of one being a witch. I did read a letter sent from a girl in Mass. state to her father in England about some girl who made these rich kids' jaws open up to the point where it seemed anatomically impossible and kept it like that for days. *shrugs* I really don't believe in the whole witch thing, though. It was pointless and cruel. The only book I've ever read that had something to do with the Salem Witch Trials was Floor 13 and The Witch of Blackbird Pond, both of which I did not enjoy. Anyway, I did a social studies project on the Salem Witch Trials once, and it didn't really interest me that much. Just a bit. [/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 We just got finished studying the Salem Witch Trials in my AP U.S. History class. If I had more time, I'd post a lot of data and possible theories. But since I don't, all you guys get is a little factoid. Almost all of the females put to death for being witches were widows. They were also between the ages of 40 and 60, for the majority. There was rarely a woman in 18th century America that was unmarried. If a woman stayed unmarried for too long, there must be something wrong with her. Also, these people were getting up there in age. Probably becoming no longer fit to bear children. It was 18th century America. What would you think if you were a religous fanatic that knew a bunch of old ladies that lived alone and didn't often come out. You could reason that she was old and just wanted her peace and quiet. Or, because she doesn't go to church and a few strange things have been happening, she's a witch. If you allw ant more information, I'll be happy to post it. But right now, I don't have the time or the patience to type all that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 we got into this in 11 grade acedemic english... i saw a documentary listing all the possible reasons, and i agree it started out with the mold theory...and it went downhilll from there..... the rest were just lies to get rid of people they (majority of the community) just plain didnt like, or thought odd.... dumb people -.- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 All of them had a diluted perception of Christianity. Jesus never killed those who were possesed by demons. He freed them. I blame a very deadly case of teenage hysteria--nothing more, nothing less. -Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron Samedi Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 From what I know about it- it was a fraud. There were some eccentric ladies, and religious fanatics, figuring that they were responible for whatever, persecuted and killed them. Such is the power of blind faith, and fear. I supose blind faith is relatively harmless enough on it's own, however, with a lie, and fear, it can be dangerous. What amuses me most about the Trials, is that they would attatch weights to the persons in regard, then chuck them in the water. If they floated they were a witch. If they sunk, and consequently drowned, they weren't a witch. Leaving no-one alive to apologise to... Haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AutoKill Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 Baron hit the nail on the head. (That?s a first) :blulaugh: The witch trials were a fraud. The people of Salem were puritans. Thrown out of England by King George. They were forced to go to what we call today United States. Here they practiced their religion in a town stead. To my understanding there wasn?t any type of police. And everything was settled by the ministry of the churches. (Here rises the problem) Some were in their bible it states. "Thou shale not tolerate a witch." I have no real clue what possibly caused the hangings of 12 people (am not positive but i think that?s how mine people were hanged) So i guess if i have to place a blame on the deaths of these people. I would say religion is to blame. :devil: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artemis Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 [QUOTE]I feel it was very needed. There aren't any true witches nowadays and why? Because of these trials. I don't know why people keep on talking as if it was some kinda catastrophy.[/QUOTE] What do you call Wicca? Anyway, I think people got into the mindset that there was something up. They psyched themselves into believing things that weren't true. I don't honestly think any of them were witches. I also believe that jealous and the quest for personal gain were part of the hysteria. They were a very superstitious people. The reason people keep discussing it is b/c it parallels other prejudices: McCarthyism, the Holucaust, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duorocks17 Posted October 21, 2003 Share Posted October 21, 2003 we read about the salem witch trials in english class, and we read the crucible too. I think it was all a bunch of rich people trying to kill off the poor people so they could have their land. I mean if you think about, most of the peopel who were realling into the church back then had lots of money, even the priest did. and sure, it's wrong, i don't think the trials really accomplished anything other than killing people, and committing murder, but you have to admitt greed is a part of human nature. unforunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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