The word "witchcraft" conjures up many ideas and thoughts in one's mind. ... In reality, the idea of witchcraft goes back to ancient times and documentation exists as to the tumultuous time it plays in history. Witch hunts, fear, terror and torture all played a part in history and reflect man's knowledge and beliefs about evil and superstition. ... "Thus has it been said that The Malleus Malificarum is one of the most blood soaked works in human history- (Lovelace 2). ... The stripping occurs because of the possibility that some type of witchcraft concealed its self in the clothing. ...

• Word Count: 894
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Throughout the analysis of these three time periods in American history, it is apparent that when a community feels threatened, they often blame the innocent. ... "Why does Abigail accuse the local women of witchcraft? It is because she herself fears being accused of witchcraft, and rather than be accused she chooses to accuse others." ... (Miller, Crucible 858) Although there is never any proof or evidence, she is condemned and hangs for witchcraft. ... The Salem Witch Trials was not the only time in American history when the innocent became victims of the fear and paranoia held in th...

• Word Count: 1838
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Puritans were a group of English Protestants who emerged in the mid-to-late 1500's and eventually rose to become affiliated with one of the darkest and most troublesome periods in American history. ... As time went on, many of the bewitched girls accused others in the community of witchcraft. ... Two dogs were also shot or killed after being suspected of witchcraft. ... Eventually, any remaining prisoners accused of witchcraft were pardoned and released from prison. ... Like many other tragic events in world history, religion was clearly linked with violence during this disgraceful t...

• Word Count: 1334
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

John Hale The witch trials in Salem represent an extreme low point in American history, where suspicion ran rampant and an entire community was thrown into complete chaos. ... Practically everyone in the town was accused of witchcraft at one time or another and nothing was being done to stop this madness. At the first mention of witchcraft, Salem's Reverend Parris sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, because he had experience dealing with witchcraft from his own town. ... He is so merciless and bent on discovering witchcraft, that he practically tortured Parris's slave Tituba into...

• Word Count: 956
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

There are many ways to examine "Young Goodman Brown," but the history of the author and the setting of the story play important roles in its interpretation. ... For instance, some critics assume the story to have taken place around 1691 due the appearance of Goody Close and Martha Carrier, both of whom were tried and convicted of witchcraft the following year during the Salem Witch Trials . ... For instance, the appearance of Goody Close and Martha Carrier places the story around 1691 because they were both tried and convicted of witchcraft the following year during the Salem Witch Trials. ....

• Word Count: 543
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

There are many ways to examine "Young Goodman Brown," but the history of the author and the setting of the story play important roles in its interpretation. ... For instance, some critics assume the story to have taken place around 1691 due the appearance of Goody Close and Martha Carrier, both of whom were tried and convicted of witchcraft the following year during the Salem Witch Trials . ... For instance, the appearance of Goody Close and Martha Carrier places the story around 1691 because they were both tried and convicted of witchcraft the following year during the Salem Witch Trials. ....

• Word Count: 582
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Crime and Punishment in Colonial Massachusetts Throughout Massachusetts's colonial history the interest and confusion can be targeted to the punishments done, for the crimes committed. ... They were instantly arrested by the magistrates, and diligently examined for what were considered bodily marks of witchcraft. ... Witchcraft (1692) was sot after a fought with no question. ...

• Word Count: 2078
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In The History of Sexuality Michel Foucault provides his opinion on the "repressive hypothesis", which states that since the 17th century, sexuality has been repressed due to external forces such as society, law, politics, the institution of family, etc. ... In "Sexuality", Jeffrey Kripal explains just how important sex was to many different religious rituals; whether it was too much sex (ritual orgies), or the lack of sex (asceticism or celibacy), sex played an important role in religions throughout history. Sex was also important in European witchcraft, where there were sexual motifs present...

• Word Count: 1293
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Today societies are at a crisis of history and how the actions of today will decide and determine whether the world goes up from here or continues to slide into a new dark era. ... The history of Salem is nothing more than a set of unjust lies the entire society agreed upon. ... The very essence of the many lies that caused such chaos and injustice in Salem began with Abigail Williams' lie to her attempt to kill Elizabeth Procter through witchcraft and the conjuring of spirits in order to gain the love of John Procter....

• Word Count: 995
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Beatrice's actions of murder and adultery are somewhat questionable but these are actions that have been committed by countless of other men throughout history, yet Beatrice is viewed as a sinful and evil character in the novel. ... The characters in this novel severely contradict this notion with females that awaken their sexuality and are capable of witchcraft, murder, and withstanding unspeakable punishments. ...

• Word Count: 1567
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

According to Ruth Manorama,7 certain kinds of violence are traditionally reserved for Dalit women: extreme filthy verbal abuse and sexual epithets, naked parading, dismemberment, being forced to drink urine and eat faeces, branding, pulling out of teeth, tongue and nails, and violence including murder after proclaiming witchcraft, are only experienced by Dalit women. ... History has corroborated that temples with dancing girls existed throughout India. ...

• Word Count: 2350
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Deviance, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder. There is nothing inherently deviant in any human act, something is deviant only because some people have been successful in labelling it so. J. L Simmons The definition of the situation implies that if you define a situation as real, it is real ...

• Word Count: 3151
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate