The story of the Salem witch trials is a dark and disturbing chapter in American history. It all began in 1692 in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts. The Puritans who settled in Salem held strict religious beliefs and viewed any deviation from the norm as a threat to their community. In the winter of 1692, a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several women in the town of witchcraft. The accusations spread like wildfire, and soon many people were under suspicion. Fear gripped the community as neighbors turned against one another, and tensions reached a boiling point.
Even the magician, who is proud of nothing so much as the great magic which he has worked, realizes in the end that there is something far more important than his accomplishment. “The magician stood very still. He stared at the falling snow. And suddenly, he did not care at all that he would have to undo the greatest thing he had ever done. He had been so lonely, so desperately, hopelessly lonely for so long. He might very well spend the rest of his life in prison, alone. And he understood that what he wanted now was something much simpler, much more complicated than the magic he had performed. What he wanted was to turn to somebody and take hold of their hand and look up with them and marvel at the snow falling from the sky. ‘This,’ he wanted to say to someone he loved and who loved him in return. ‘This.’ ”
In a strange turn of events, a magician in that very town conjures the most tremendous spell of his life, and instead of lilies falling down from the ceiling of the auditorium, an elephant comes crashing through instead. The structure of the story is that of disparate threads that gradually converge and then interweave the magician, a beggar, a sculptor, the boy, his sister, a nun, and the woman.
Fear gripped the community as neighbors turned against one another, and tensions reached a boiling point. The accused were brought before a court of law, where they faced interrogations and even physical examinations to determine if they were witches. The court relied heavily on spectral evidence, which was based on the testimony of the afflicted girls who claimed to see the accused person's spirit tormenting them.
REVIEW of The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time for me to read some middle grade novels–either out loud to my kids or silently to myself because, you know, an excellent middle grade novel transcends categories and is a delight for any age. Kate DiCamillo is a perennial favorite of mine, and The Magician’s Elephant thrums with all the themes I love so much in her work.
Living in a freezing garret with a disabled soldier who knew his late father, Peter Augustus Duchene spends his young life wondering what happened to the baby sister he remembers being born, the baby sister named Adele. He finds a fortuneteller who claims that his sister is alive. To find her, he must “follow the elephant.” But the city of Baltese has no elephants. Is his quest hopeless?
In a strange turn of events, a magician in that very town conjures the most tremendous spell of his life, and instead of lilies falling down from the ceiling of the auditorium, an elephant comes crashing through instead. The town of Baltese become enamored with the rarity that has appeared, and Countess Quintet makes a display of the elephant in her ballroom. With the help of a kind policeman named Leo Matienne, Peter visits the homesick elephant and finds the answers that he seeks.
This short little pearl of a story touches on the great themes of being loved, being known, and belonging to someone. The elephant herself, trapped in the countess’ ballroom, expresses this well: “She should have been sleeping, but she was awake. The elephant was saying her name to herself. It was not a name that would make sense to humans. It was an elephant name — a name that her brothers and sisters knew her by, a name that they spoke to her in laughter and in play. It was the name that her mother had given to her and that she had spoken to her often and with love. Deep within herself, the elephant said this name, her name, over and over again. She was working to remind herself of who she was. She was working to remember that, somewhere, in another place entirely, she was known and loved.”
Names are important, and it is knowing Adele’s name that brings Peter to his sister at last. As is typical for DiCamillo, the orphans in the story find a family where they least expect it. Like the elephant, Peter and his sister come to the place of being known and loved, the place of belonging.
Even the magician, who is proud of nothing so much as the great magic which he has worked, realizes in the end that there is something far more important than his accomplishment. “The magician stood very still. He stared at the falling snow. And suddenly, he did not care at all that he would have to undo the greatest thing he had ever done. He had been so lonely, so desperately, hopelessly lonely for so long. He might very well spend the rest of his life in prison, alone. And he understood that what he wanted now was something much simpler, much more complicated than the magic he had performed. What he wanted was to turn to somebody and take hold of their hand and look up with them and marvel at the snow falling from the sky. ‘This,’ he wanted to say to someone he loved and who loved him in return. ‘This.’ ”
If you have elementary-aged children at home, I heartily recommend Kate DiCamillo’s fanciful story, The Magician’s Elephant. And if you don’t have elementary-aged children at home, I recommend it just as heartily. Known and loved — that’s what we all want. And being able to share this book with my nine-year-old made it all the more special this summer — to turn to someone, take hold of their hand, and say, “This.”
The lack of concrete evidence and the reliance on unreliable testimony led to a high number of convictions. As the trials continued, the hysteria grew. The accused were subjected to harsh conditions while awaiting trial, and many were imprisoned for months without proper legal representation. In total, 19 people were hanged, one was pressed to death, and several others died in jail awaiting trial. The legacy of the Salem witch trials is one of tragedy and injustice. It wasn't until October 1692 that the trials began to lose momentum. Governor William Phips disbanded the court and released those still awaiting trial. The witch hunt had come to an end, but the damage was already done. The Salem witch trials serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence. Over the years, there have been countless theories and speculations as to what caused the Salem witch trials. Some suggest that the hysteria was driven by socioeconomic tensions, while others believe it was a case of mass psychogenic illness. Regardless of the cause, the impact of the trials is still felt today. The story of the Salem witch trials is a cautionary tale of how fear, ignorance, and prejudice can lead to tragedy. It serves as a reminder that justice must be based on evidence and reason, not on superstition and hearsay. The events of 1692 should never be forgotten, as they remind us of the importance of tolerance, fairness, and the protection of individual rights..
Reviews for "Witchcraft Across Cultures: Comparing Beliefs in Europe and Colonial America"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - While I appreciate the historical significance of the Salem witch trials, I found this book to be dry and lacking in engagement. The author presented the facts in a monotonous manner, without delving into the personal stories or emotions of those involved. I was hoping for a more immersive experience, but instead, I was left feeling disconnected from the narrative. Overall, the book failed to bring the Salem witch trials to life in a compelling way.
2. Mary Smith - 2 stars - As a fan of historical non-fiction, I was disappointed by "The story of the salem witch trials." The writing style was overly academic and filled with jargon that made it difficult for a non-expert to follow. Additionally, the author seemed to spend more time discussing minute details and court procedures rather than exploring the broader implications and societal factors that led to the witch trials. I was left wanting a more comprehensive analysis that would help me understand the context and significance of this dark chapter in American history.
3. James Johnson - 1 star - I found "The story of the salem witch trials" to be a tedious read. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I struggled to maintain my interest throughout the book. The author failed to build suspense or create a sense of urgency, despite the dramatic nature of the events being described. I also felt that there was a lack of character development, with the individuals involved in the witch trials feeling one-dimensional and disconnected from the reader. Overall, this book did not capture my attention or provide an engaging portrayal of the Salem witch trials.
4. Emily Taylor - 2 stars - For someone unfamiliar with the Salem witch trials, this book was not a good introduction. The author assumed a certain level of prior knowledge and failed to provide sufficient background information or context. As a result, I found myself frequently confused and struggling to understand the significance of certain events or individuals. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked passion, making it difficult for me to become invested in the story. I would recommend seeking out alternative sources for a more accessible and engaging account of the Salem witch trials.