A Delusion Of Satan By Frances Hill Essay - 1532 Words

The novel A Delusion of Satan written by Frances Hill describes the history of the Salem Witch Trials (â€Å"Salem†) in 1692, the causes and effects of the witch hysteria, and the biographies of major characters associated with the trials. In the novel, Hill started out explaining the Puritans’ beliefs and customs, the gender roles of men and women in Salem and why women were easily accused of being witches and practicing witchcraft in the 17th century. During that time, women were easily accused of practicing witchcraft because they were viewed as physically, politically and spiritually weaker than men. Men were perceived as the power, status, and worthy in the society, and they dominated women’s behavior and social status. In the 17th century, â€Å"Hegemonic Masculinity† was the criterion, and women were seen as â€Å"physically weaker† and inferior compared to men in the society, which made them easily become the targets of witch hunt (Mammone). Women were politically weaker than men because all of the high positions in the society and the Puritan Church were held by men, such as the position of judge, prosecutor and minister. As the Puritan believed in the biblical story of Adam and Eve, women were viewed as spiritually weaker than men. The souls of women were perceived as vulnerable to the devil’s traps, while the souls of men were less susceptible to the devil’s temptations (â€Å"The Salem Hysteria†). Therefore, the gender roles of men and women in the 17th century Salem society showedShow MoreRelatedA Delusion of Satan: Great Insight Into the Past Essay1301 Words   |  6 PagesA Delusion of Satan was written in 1995 by Frances Hill, and published by Da Capo Press. Frances Hill, an accomplished writer and journalist from London, has been writing for a decent period of time. Aside from publishing two novels, Hill has written fiction reviews for The Time (London) and has worked as a reporter in i n both New York and London. With such an accomplished journalist, reporter, and writer, we are due to receive a good read in A Delusion of Satan. Set in the Colonial AmericanRead MoreA Delusion of Satan Essay980 Words   |  4 PagesTed Ford Dr. Strickland November 29, 2010 History 101 A Delusion of Satan A Delusion of Satan, was written by Frances Hill and covers in the personal situations of the people in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The book opens up describing the intense and strict life style of the Puritan. Then we go into discussion of the town of Salem at the time, being owned by mainly the Putman family. The pastor there, Samuel Parris, has lived there in Salem since 1689. He residesRead MoreEssay on Salem Witch Trials1396 Words   |  6 Pagescentury, people were executed for being witches and follower of Satan. Most of these executions were performed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Mostly all of the accused were women, which makes some modern historians believe that the charges of witchcraft were a way of controlling the women who threatened the power of the men. During the witchcraft trials, hundreds of arrests were made, and some were even put to death on Gallow’s Hill (Karlsen 145). In 1698, the villagers of Salem won the right toRead MoreWhat Were The Salem Witch Trials1449 Words   |  6 PagesAftermaths? START OF WITCHCRAFT HYSTERIA A considerable lot of the American settlers carried with them, from Europe, a faith in witches and the devil. Amid the seventeenth century, individuals were often executed for being witches and worshiper of Satan. The Puritan town of Salem was home to where many executions of witches took place, more commonly known as the Salem witch trials. A scandalous scene in American history, the Salem witch trials of 1692 brought about the execution by hanging of fourteenRead MoreSalem Witch Trials Essay1478 Words   |  6 Pagespunishments and were not limited to adults, children were treated the same if found to be going against the Puritan theology. The only books in a Puritan household were that of religious content. â€Å"Given the constant thundering by Puritans about Satan, sin and witches’ spells, it is not surprising that a sensitive child might be subject to fits and weeping and hysterical talk about witchcraft.† (Kallen, 2005) The settlers would live for many years with only one major crime happening inRead MoreSalem Witch Trials : A Series Of Events That Occurred3696 Words   |  15 PagesHowever, the men and women who attempted the test acted out and â€Å"were known to scream and writhe on the floor in the middle of the test.† Secondly, any physical evidence like birthmarks or warts were to be considered as portals to hell, or from which Satan could enter one’s body to become bewitched or possessed. As a last resort, many of the accused men and women of Salem were given the chance of a confession, therefore many pleaded to the village for repentance and forgiveness. Most of the accused menRead MoreThe Trials Of The Salem Witch Trials1635 Words   |  7 Pagescolonies that caused poor economic conditions, church conflict, teenage boredom and personal jealousy. A main reason was due to King William’s War in 1689 effect on the colonies, specifically Salem. William and Mary, English rulers started the war with France in the American colonies. This displaced many residents in Salem and put an economic strain in the colony. A rivalry grew between people who used agriculture to live off of and those that were wealthy due to the port of Salem (Blumberg 2007). AnotherRead MoreThe Social Psychology of the Salem Witch Trials1647 Words   |  7 Pagesbook length publication was Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcraft. This publication was based on his experience with the Goodwin family. Their children became â€Å"possessed† and Mather was personally involved in the children’s deliverance. (Hill 20) Eighteen months after the Goodwin trial in Boston, Samuel Parris’ young daughter and niece began exhibiting the same strange behavior. Having read Cotton Mather’s book, he feared the worst for the children. Once examined by Dr. Griggs, andRead MoreThe Controversy Of The Salem Witch Trials1380 Words   |  6 Pagesfeelings to believe, that these misguided and wretched young person’s early in the proceedings became themselves victims of the delusion into which they plunged everyone else.† John Demos created a chart which compared the accusers and the accused, displaying a pattern. John Demos emphasizes that the majority of the accusers were single, and those accused were married. Frances Hill agrees when he writes, â€Å"These persons’ motivations for accusing others might have been revenge, but why did the girls suddenlyRead MoreCauses of the Salem Witch Trials Essay2035 Words   |  9 PagesSalem Witch Trials. Witchcraft has been present in many other religions, not only the Puritan religion. Witchcraft was also found in Catholic and Protestant parts of Europe. The Salem Witch Trials were smaller in comparison to those in Scotland, France, or Germany (Hall 3). Though the trials in Salem were smaller, people recognize the Salem Witch Trials as one of the worst times in American history (â€Å"Witch Madness† 4). The Puritans believed that the Devil was alive in their community (â€Å"Witch Madness†