Witchcraft

Research Paper # 61422

History
Women Studies > Culture

Witchcraft

A study of different perceptions of witchcraft across cultures.

3,013 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how studies of witchcraft accusations usually attribute witch hunts to some form of social change within a society. It looks at how in Europe, colonial New England and contemporary Africa, many studies show how the changing roles of women, political change, and economic change have contributed to the fear of witches. It also looks at how the changing roles of women in society are a main factor in the gendered bias of women being accused as witches.

From the Paper:

"In colonial New England, the Puritans new quest for money led to witch-hunts. As the study of Salem village by Boyer and Nissenbaum shows, the division of witchcraft accusations was clearly a result of those who would profit by trade with Salem Town. There was nothing random about the pattern of accusations. A study of the layout of the village shows that those who accused others of witchcraft and the accused resided on opposite sides of the village. As land costs rose and the size of land ownership was falling, Salem village depended more on trade with Salem Town. They were economically and politically dependent on the town. However, some wanted independence from the town while others wished to maintain the ties with the town. As a result of the economic changes in Salem village, an severe outbreak of witchcraft accusations broke out."