Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft "Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft" is a book written by Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum. Published in 1974, the book explores the infamous witchcraft trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Boyer and Nissenbaum argue that the witchcraft hysteria in Salem was not simply a result of religious fanaticism or psychological aberration, but rather had deep social and economic roots within the community. The authors begin by painting a portrait of the town of Salem in the late 17th century. They emphasize the high levels of social tension and inequality that existed within the community. Salem was a society divided between an elite group of merchants and landowners and a larger population of farmers and laborers.
tv review: good witch
We’ve talked about Belle and the Beast. We’ve rehashed Love Finds you in Nebraska. We’ve even lowered ourselves to watching a movie called Rodeo and Juliet. By now, you should know that nothing makes us happier than low-quality television programming. So, the ultimate treat for me is Hallmark Channel’s series, Good Witch. It’s cheesy. The acting sucks. Their wardrobes are ridiculous. And I love it.
There are currently five seasons of Good Witch on Netflix, and I think the sixth season is coming out on Hallmark right now. The series is based on the Good Witch series of movies that Hallmark made back in the 2010’s. I think I’ve seen the first one but I didn’t remember much about it.
The series doesn’t really recap what happened in the films, but you’re quickly informed that Cassie (the Good Witch herself) is a widow because her husband who was a cop was killed in the line of duty. Right off the bat this seems strange because Middleton is portrayed as a veritable heaven on earth, not a seedy place where police shootings occur. Anyhow, Cassie runs Grey House, a bed and breakfast, and has a biological daughter, Grace (super annoying) and two stepchildren, only one of whom you really need to know about. I can’t even remember his name, but he’s an adult male policeman who is married to a whiny woman named “Tara” which is pronounced TAAAAAR-uh.
You might wonder what kind of powers Cassie has. I’ve watched about 50 episodes of this show and I’m still wondering about that. According to Wikipedia: “Cassie and Grace share a gift of enchanted insight and magical intuition.” So, basically all Cassie (and annoying Grace) do is say, “Hello, so-and-so” before turning around to see who’s walked into the room. Then whoever’s walked in responds by saying, “Oh, Cassie, I can never sneak up on you!”
In Season One, Cassie gets a new neighbor, a big-city doctor named Sam Radford. He has a troubled teen son named Nick, who immediately clashes with goody-goody Grace. (Who wouldn’t clash with her?) At one point these two get locked in a library and complain about how there is nothing to do despite the fact that every library has movies, tv shows, computers, books, magazines, televisions, toys for kids, games, puzzles…basically every boredom buster ever. Of course after a few seasons Sam and Cassie become an item and you’re left wondering if they’re going to make Nick and Grace a troubling item as well. They don’t, sorry. It’s not that spicy of a show.
Just some playful, and absolutely not dating each other, siblings….Other characters include Abigail, the redheaded cousin of Cassie who also has the stunning power to predict who’s just walked into the room, Martha Tinsdale, the over the top mayor of Middleton who fawns over darling Cassie, and Stephanie, the boy-crazy restaurant owner who’s named her eatery the “Bistro Cafe” in a fit of creative genius.
L-R: Stephanie and AbigailIt seems like the only point of Abigail, Stephanie, Cassie, Grace, and any single woman who stays the night at Grey House, is to be set up with a man. Countless singles come to the B&B for a good night’s sleep and leave with a new romantic partner. There is always something standing in the way of the relationship, but don’t worry, Cassie will fix it with some platitude wisdom like, “Sometimes, you have to wait for what you want.” The recipients of these words of wisdom always act as if they’ve received an updated version of the Ten Commandments from the hand of God.
Profound…but isn’t that on a dishtowel that my mom has?After about thirty-five false starts, Sam and Cassie finally get married in season five, and start their happily ever after. They have little to no conflict in their relationship, because Cassie is such an angel and Sam is so perfect and romantic and playful. Every two seconds they’re kissing, not like a married couple, but more like cousins or something, in the kitchen, the supermarket, the middle of a stampede…nothing, and I mean nothing, keeps these two from lightly touching lips.
One of my favorite moments of the show occurs in the episode where Sam and Cassie get married. Annoying Grace is admiring a horse and reaches out to pet the renegade animal who of course no one else has been able to get close to. Just then, another girl who’s not as soft and vibrant as Grace, how could anyone be, steps out and tells Grace to keep her sticky little mitts off the horse. The horse rears, then jumps over the fence and runs off into the woods. Acting as if nothing has happened (like a multi-thousand dollar horse bolting off INTO THE WOODS) the girls start talking to each other then angelic Grace goes off back to the wedding rehearsal or whatever they were doing at this farm. At the end of the episode, Sam and Cassie look up from sharing a kiss and see that the horse than ran off is still on the loose in the woods and has found another horse (presumably a mate). They go back to kissing like they didn’t just see two horses emerge from a woods.
Other highlights of the series include characters you forget about like George, or whatever his name is, Grace’s dad’s dead first wife’s father…so yeah, no relation to Grace or Cassie at all. Yet, he lives in Grey House with them and pops up every few episodes to speak in a mildly accented voice and impart grandfatherly wisdom. Don’t get too attached to Cassie’s stepdaughter Lori, she’s only in a few episodes then flits off to the big city to pursue a writing career. And TAAAAAruh, Cassie’s step-daughter-in-law, who agrees to have a kid with her husband even though she doesn’t want to, then is annoyed because she wants to move to Paris and leave her husband, but doesn’t get pregnant and stays around Middleton anyway. If none of that made sense, I’m sorry. It’s just what happened in the show.
I said that the wardrobes are ridiculous and I wasn’t kidding. The characters are always dressed as if they’re heading to a millionaire’s charity auction, not to high school, or to run their bistro (cafe). Grace (who’s in high school) literally wears pointy-toe stilettos around her house, and even lounges on the couch wearing them, in season five. Cassie must have an entire room in her house dedicated as a closet for her peacoats, as she wears a different one in every scene of the show. Martha Tinsdale is the Dr. Deborah Birx of Middleton, and dons a new scarf every day.
Apparently Grace is not going to be in season six, which is a mercy for everyone. Every season ends with a “cliffhanger” and the cliffhanger for season five, spoilers, is that Abigail can’t say “I love you” to her boyfriend and there’s probably a curse hanging over their relationship. Compelling stuff. But hey, it’ll keep me watching.
Grace Russell
Grace Russell is a main character in the Hallmark Channel original series, Good Witch.
Grace is the only daughter of Cassie Nightingale and the third-born child of Jake Russell. She is a witch from the Merriwick family line and shares her mother's unique gifts of insight and intuition. She currently attends Wellingsley College.
Salem was a society divided between an elite group of merchants and landowners and a larger population of farmers and laborers. This division created an environment ripe for conflict and suspicion. Boyer and Nissenbaum argue that the witchcraft accusations were a manifestation of this underlying social unrest.
Contents
- 1 Biography
- 2 Throughout The Good Witch Movies
- 2.1 Good Witch's Family
- 2.2 The Good Witch's Charm
- 2.3 Good Witch's Destiny
- 2.4 Good Witch's Wonder
- 3.1 Season 1
- 3.2 Season 2
- 3.3 Season 3
- 3.4 Season 4
- 3.5 Season 5
- 3.6 Season 6
They contend that the accusations were often directed at marginalized women who were seen as a threat to the social order. These women often belonged to lower social classes, had unconventional beliefs or practices, or had questionable reputations. By accusing these women of witchcraft, the accusers were able to assert their own power and control over the social hierarchy. In addition to social tensions, the authors also highlight the role of external factors in the Salem witchcraft trials. They discuss the impact of recent wars and conflicts on the community, which had created a climate of fear and anxiety. Furthermore, they argue that the religious beliefs and practices of the time played a significant role in fueling the accusations. The Puritan religion, which was dominant in Salem, placed a strong emphasis on the existence of the devil and the threat of witchcraft, creating a fertile ground for hysteria. Throughout the book, Boyer and Nissenbaum provide detailed accounts of the individuals involved in the witchcraft trials and analyze their social backgrounds and motivations. They draw on a wide range of primary sources, including court records, diaries, and personal letters, to reconstruct the events of the time and shed light on the social dynamics at play. In conclusion, "Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft" challenges the prevailing narrative of the Salem witch trials as the result of religious or psychological factors. Instead, the book argues that the witchcraft hysteria was deeply rooted in the social and economic tensions within the community. By examining the social origins of witchcraft, Boyer and Nissenbaum offer a new perspective on this dark chapter in American history..
Reviews for "The Social Implications of Witchcraft Accusations in Salem"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft" to be quite dry and difficult to follow. The writing style was very academic and weighed down with too much historical detail, making it challenging to engage with the content. While I appreciate the thorough research that went into this book, I was expecting a more engaging and accessible narrative for a topic as fascinating as the Salem witch trials. Overall, I felt like I was trudging through the pages, and it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft." The book felt like a never-ending barrage of facts and historical analysis without any compelling storytelling or unique insights. The authors failed to bring the characters and events to life, making it a tedious read for someone looking for a more engaging exploration of the Salem witch trials. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a captivating and accessible account of this dark period in history.
3. Michael - 2 stars
"Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft" was a disappointment for me. While I appreciate the authors' attempt to provide a comprehensive analysis of the social factors that led to the witchcraft hysteria in Salem, the execution fell flat. The writing style was overly academic, making it a struggle to stay engaged. It lacked the narrative flow that would have made the subject more interesting and accessible to a wider audience. While I understand the value of a scholarly approach, I was hoping for a more balanced blend of academic rigor and storytelling.
The Influence of Class Dynamics on Witchcraft Trials in Salem