512 pages, Little,
Brown and Company, ISBN-13: 978-0316200608
It
seems to me that every generation has a different take on the Salem Witch
Trials, as they each try to make sense of just what the hell happened and, just
as importantly, try to draw parallels between the paranoia of 1692 with the
here and now (the most famous, or course, being Arthur Miller’s The Crucible as an allegory for McCarthyism).
Stacy Schiff now weighs in with her interpretation in The Witches: Salem, 1692, a scholarly work written with respect to
all of the parties involved, which are numerous. While there is a hint of
blaming the young girls for falsely trying to get attention by making outrageous
accusations, the whole thing took on a life of its own and, ultimately, had to
end on its own, as well. Causes as diverse as the weather, Indian raids,
politics (local, with Boston, and with England), long-held feuds with neighbors
over various claims, fear of the unknown, conflicting religious input and egos,
and the stresses of living on the edge of a wilderness, all played and inter-played a part in this sorry tale. While densely-researched, The Witches is also a very readable
book, turning history into drama and enlightening as it entertains.
The Witches is also one of
the most frightening books I have ever read, but not because of flying witches
and their curses and whatnot; no, it is because it shows how a small but
determined group of seemingly powerless people can, with determination,
steadfastness and unadulterated Chutzpah take control of a town, a province and
more by…acting. I am, of course, talking about the “afflicted”, a small group of
preteen girls and young women who became a protected class whose every
utterance was believed. Their power was such that Rebecca Nurse, an accused
witch, was condemned by them, despite the fact that she had thirty-nine friends
and family sign a petition in her defense. Signing a petition in those days was
a very serious matter; it could easily turn against the signer, and she was
tried but the jury found her not guilty…but, the justice sent the jury back to
reconsider and they, again, the found her not guilty…but, the justice sent them
back a second time until they got the “correct” verdict: guilty. An appeal to
the governor resulted in a pardon for Rebecca Nurse…but, she was then indicted
again for the same crime by the same judge and found guilty and quickly hanged.
All on the word of these “powerless” girls.
But
that is not all. You will also read about the accused citizens who had no
defense. If they did protest and claim no offense was made they were declared
guilty and often only by association. And who benefited? Those who came running
to the defense of the afflicted gained the most; the people who were able to
set one group against another. It only came to an end when the people being
accused had had enough. All of this makes this book very relevant even today.
Think about the continuing clash between rich and the poor; between religions;
between races; between citizens and immigrants; and between political parties. Hell,
look at what just occurred with the Brett Kavanagh hearings. All of these were
issues in 1692; they are all issues today. Who are the protected classes, who
are the accusers and who are the people running to the rescue and then
benefiting? Who benefits from continued division? Who are the people rising
up and saying enough political correctness? Is emotion trumping logic? Are you
looking over your shoulder? Because damnit, you should be.
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