The Mystery of the Salem Witch Trails of 1692 - 623 Words

If we were to look through American history, we can witness many victories as well as many shames. One of the most famous ignominies was the Salem witch trials in 1692. During the witch trials, many were wrongfully accused and some were executed. There are many theories about why this horror story commenced, but there are no clear appointed reasons. Medical factors may have contributed to the events such as ergot poisoning, traumatic stress, and mass hysteria. Considering that this was an early time in American history, it was likely that these factors were overlooked and ignored. This is a mystery impossible to overlook. The first accusations were made by Reverend Parris’ niece, Abigail and daughter Betty. At the time Parris’ daughter was sick and no one could diagnose her with any medical issues. She showed symptoms of throwing temper tantrums, spoke in strange manners, and sensations of being pinched, among others. Health professionals believe that their actions were reflections of post-traumatic syndrome or perhaps abusive parents (The Economist, A31). Had Betty’s behaviors been examined by professionals today, they may have been able to diagnose her properly. There were other girls aged between 11 and 16 years, who complained of similar symptoms such as a lofty amount of emotions and pains, which were then given the authority to accuse the witches who were responsible (McHugh 20). At first glance it is evident that the girls were probably going through adolescence,Show MoreRelatedSalem Witch Trials, By Liv Turske908 Words   |  4 Pages Salem Witch Trials Liv Turske Abstract The Salem Witch Trials was from 1692-1693, in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. There was a circle of girls who wanted to have a little fun so they got involved in the sport of witchcraft. They went to the minister’s house every day to visit Tituba, the Caribbean slave, to join her for palm and tea leaf reading. The girls took it too far though. They pretended to have fits and started accusing people of being witches. They went so far that peopleRead MoreThe Crucible: Characters1538 Words   |  7 PagesThe Crucible: Characters Chetan Patel The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller that was first produced in 1953, is based on the true story of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Miller wrote the play to parallel the situations in the mid-twentieth century of Alger Hiss, Owen Latimore, Julius and Ethel Rosenburg, and Senator McCarthy, if only suggestively. (Warshow 116) Some characters in the play have specific agendas carried out by their accusations, and the fact that the play is based on historicalRead MoreAnalysis Of Young Goodman Brown By Nathaniel Hawthorne1600 Words   |  7 PagesIn Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† Hawthorne presents the tale of a young man from Salem, Massachusetts during colonial America. One night, Brown accidentally witnesses a witches meeting in the forest where he sees the rest of the town, including his wife Faith, in attendance. This comes as quite a shock to Brown and the next morning but he cannot remember whether or not the scene was real of simply a dream. Regardless, from then on Brown lives his life in opposition toRead MoreCorrupting Society In Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown, By Nathaniel Hawthorne1885 Words   |  8 PagesCorrupting Society In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† Hawthorne presents the tale of a young man from Salem, Massachusetts during colonial America. One night, Brown accidentally witnesses a witches meeting in the forest where he sees the rest of the town, including his wife Faith, in attendance. This comes as quite a shock to Brown and the next morning, but he cannot remember whether or not the scene was real of simply a dream. Regardless, from then on Brown lives his lifeRead MoreWhat Triggered The Witch Craze?1564 Words   |  7 PagesJoseph Bohannon Dr. Wirts History 4342 January 28 2017 What triggered the witch craze? Most historians agree that the witch craze began in the 15th century, during the early modern period. However, many factors that contributed to the witch craze had been brewing for several centuries prior, in as early as the 12th century we see the persecution of heresy by the Medieval Inquisition, which is basically a large-scale model of religious groups suppressing and killing anyone who does not agree with