The Salem witch trials of 1692 are well-known for their mass hysteria and unjust accusations that led to the execution of twenty people. However, it is surprising to learn that a similar event occurred in the 21st century. In 2002, the small town of Salem, Oregon became the center of another witch hunt. The incident started when a group of teenage girls began exhibiting strange behaviors and claimed to be possessed by evil spirits. This led to a wave of panic and suspicion among the townspeople, reminiscent of the events in 17th century Salem. The main idea of this note is to explore the modern-day Salem witch hunt that took place in 2002, shedding light on the irrational fear and mass hysteria that gripped the town and resulted in numerous false accusations and ruined lives.
The Salem Witch Trials are America's original home-grown horror. The crisis happened over 300 years ago in a world very different from today's -- and to people seemingly very different from ourselves -- and yet so many of its elements keep cropping up again and again in our public life. A panic that spreads like a virus, intimations of a vile conspiracy, children and young women horribly abused, a fog of accusations, shocking confessions, sensational trials, reputations destroyed, culprits (or scapegoats) located and harshly punished, and an aftermath in which anyone with a conscience looks back and asks, "What just happened? Did we really do that?"
She traces the connections the various participants had to Maine, the location of some especially bloody conflicts with the Wabanaki tribes and their French allies. Norton who writes that she began her history expecting to advance another feminist interpretation offers the theory that the Trials were a displaced response to the trauma of the Indian Wars on the frontiers of the British settlements in New England.
The main idea of this note is to explore the modern-day Salem witch hunt that took place in 2002, shedding light on the irrational fear and mass hysteria that gripped the town and resulted in numerous false accusations and ruined lives..
Salem witch hunt in the year 2002
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Boyer, Paul and Nissenbaum, Stephen, Salem Possessed (Harvard Univ. Press, 1976).Breslaw, Elaine, Tituba, Reluctant Witch of Salem
Burr, George Lincoln, Narratives of the Witchcraft Cases, 1648 -1706. Notable Trials Library (1992).
Coventry, William W., Demonic Possession on Trial: Cases Studies from Modern England and Colonial America, 1593-1692 (2003).
Drake, Samuel G., Annals of Witchcraft in New England (1967).
Hale, John, A Modest Enquiry Into the Nature of Witchcraft (1702).
Hill, Frances, A Delusion of Satan: The Full Story of the Salem Witchcraft Trials (2002). Hill, Frances, Hunting for Witches: A Visitor's Guide to the Salem Witchcraft Trials (2002).Hansen, Chadwick, Witchcraft at Salem (1969).
Hoffer, Peter Charles, The Devil's Disciples: Makers of the Salem Witchcraft Trials (1996).Hoffer, Peter Charles, The Salem Witchcraft Cases: A Legal History. Univ. Press of Kansas (1997)
Karlsen, Carol, The Devil in the Shape of a Woman (1987).Kittredge, George, Witchcraft in Old and New England (1929).
LeBeau, Bryan, The Story of the Salem Witch Trials (1997).
Mather, Cotton, Memorable Providences Relating to Witchcraft and Possessions (1689).
Mather, Cotton, The Wonders of the Invisible World (1693).
Norton, Mary Beth. In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692 (2002).Reis, Elizabeth, Damned Women: Sinners and Witches in Puritan New England (1997).
Reis, Elizabeth, Spellbound: Women and Witchcraft in America (anthology)(1998).
Rinaldi, Ann, A Break With Charity: A Story About the Salem Witchcraft Trials (historical fiction for young adults).
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Weisman, Richard, Witchcraft, Magic, and Religion in 17th Century Massachusetts. University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst (1984).
PERIODICALS
Langbein, John, "The Criminal Trial Before Lawyers," Univ. of Chicago Law Review (1978).
Olson, Lynne, "Witch Hunt," Constitution, Spring-Summer, 1992.
VIDEO
Discovery Channel, "The Salem Witchcraft Trials" (50 minutes)
New World Video, "The Witches of Salem: The Horror and the Hope" (35 minutes)(1972).
History Channel, "Salem Witchcraft Trials" (50 minutes)(1998).
PBS Home Video, "Three Sovereigns for Sarah" (180 minutes)(1986).
INTERNET
American Fanatacism: This site contains Mary Easty's petition to the court asking them it please not shed any more innocent blood. The site also contains background historical information on the trials.
The Salem Witchcraft Site: This site, by Professor Richard Latner of Tulane University, examines certain quantitative aspects of the outbreak of witchcraft accusations in Salem.
Salem Witch Museum: This site answers some commonly asked questions about the trials and witchcraft in the seventeenth century.
National Geographic: An interactive trip through the hysteria that caused the witch hunt in Salem, offered from the perspective of one of the accused.
Carey Document: Although over 500 of the original legal documents from the trials still exist, one particular death warrant, known as the Carey Document, has been exposed as a fake. Information on the discovery of the document with pictures.
Reis, Elizabeth, Damned Women: Sinners and Witches in Puritan New England (1997).
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Reviews for "Modern-Day Witches: Navigating the Stigma Post-Salem Witch Hunt of 2002"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really excited to read "Salem witch hunt in the year 2002" as I am a fan of historical novels. However, I was highly disappointed with this book. The author tried to mix the historical aspect with modern-day elements, but it just didn't work. The characters felt flat and lacked depth, and the plot was all over the place. I struggled to connect with any of the characters, and their actions often felt forced. Overall, I found the book confusing and unlikeable.
2. Daniel - 1 star
I cannot express how much I disliked "Salem witch hunt in the year 2002." The writing style was overly simplistic, and it felt like the author was trying too hard to make the story relevant to modern times. The dialogue was especially cringe-worthy, with unrealistic exchanges between the characters. The book lacked any suspense or tension, and the plot was predictable. I would not recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or well-written novels.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Salem witch hunt in the year 2002" had so much potential, but it fell flat on its face. The premise was intriguing, but the execution was poor. The writing was filled with clichés, and the characters were sterotypical and lacked depth. The scenes set in the present day were especially confusing, and I often found myself questioning the relevance of certain plot points. Overall, the book was a disappointment and did not meet my expectations.