The New World Times

The “afflicted girls” may not be what we think they are.

     On February 29, the girls raised witchcraft claims in the Salem community by accusing Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne of witchcraft. With increasing number of fits, the girls are spreading awareness and accusations of hysteria that have spread throughout the county. However, what event awakened the girls’ terrifying fits and insane accusations and why are they accusing people of witchcraft?

     During the winter of 1692, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams became bored out of their minds while sitting inside all day when a harsh, long winter ensued. Of course, people will get crazy when sitting inside all day; who would not? When the girls began to have strange illnesses, boredom and cabin fever certainly got to them. However, this calls upon another question; what did the girls do when they were bored? During their time inside, the girls began to read books on popular topics, such as witches and witchcraft. Many of the books the girls read are exactly a mirror image of the symptoms they are currently having. It is no doubt that these books are certainly influencing the actions of the girls. While the girls may have many of the same symptoms, the girls are most definitely not getting sick; with boredom on hand, they decided to have some fun and amusement with witchcraft. Any girl with boredom on their hands would do something silly for fun and attention. It is no wonder that these girls would accuse people of witchcraft for fun during a cold, boring winter.

     Now that the hysteria is taking off, the girls are now forced to live with the idea of witchcraft. Through fear, the girls must continue to act and believe that witches are tormenting them. If not the girls will likely have to face a severe punishment. Some settlers think the girls should admit that they goofed off, so many innocent lives will be saved. Puritan life is very strict and disobeying any rules or fooling around can lead to extreme, harmful punishments such as being kicked out of the church, exiled from the town, or even painful death. The girls will much rather have innocent people die than being embarrassed and ashamed in front of Puritan society. Besides, the girls are seeing a major advantage to accusing innocent people of witchcraft.

     Currently, in Salem there is an increasing rivalry between the wealthy merchants and the impoverished farmers. The poorer people increasingly want more wealth and accusing the rich as witches will give the poor farmers the estates and wealth of the merchants. For others, accusing neighbors of witchcraft eliminates enemies and unwanted people in the community. Condemning others of witchcraft is a hassle-free, quick, and reliable way of dealing with rivals. The witchcraft is all fake; it is a way to deal with the economic unbalance and rivalries in Salem.

Many colonists believe actual witchcraft is going on even though there is no evidence to support it. Rebecca Nurse was accused, convicted, and hanged for witchcraft even though she was a very pious and respected person. Nurse was virtually unchallenged for respect by many members of the community and showed piety at such a level that it was an example for everyone. When she was accused of witchcraft, everyone was astonished that a person with such a clean, perfect record, could be condemned as a witch. No one ever in the history of the world can accuse such a innocent person of witchcraft. This is absurd, crazy and pure cruelty. Settlers cannot accuse someone of witchcraft even if they have a clean slate, which shows that something more sinister and greedy is at work here. Many people want to assume more influence and control among the community. Rebecca Nurse, one of the most influential people in the whole community, is accused by people searching to get rid of a powerful community and religious leader. The hysteria is about more power, control and eliminating leaders among the greedy and power-hungry settlers.

The “afflicted girls” are making up lies and stories of witchcraft during a boring winter. These lies and stories are affecting and changing the community in many different ways. The impoverished farmers are in the middle of an intense battle against the rich merchants. People are accusing rivals and leaders when no witchcraft has occurred. While many people believe that actual witchcraft is real and the girls are telling the truth, innocent people cannot die because of witchcraft. Accusations of witchcraft are fake, only to allow the community to condemn and fight itself. Deep, selfish intentions of control and power are firmly rooted in personal and community rivalries. Disputes and enemies are holding the Salem community, grasping and destroying everything of value.