Post by Domocles on Mar 2, 2015 10:39:28 GMT
In the aftermath of the witch trials of 1692, this particular event happened to become a turning point in history. A closely knit community fell to calamity and discord b/c of a certain dispute over whether tradition should be kept. This brought upon the main reasoning behind the witch trials. A certain man in the 1950's wrote a play concerning this historic event which was known as "The Crucible". It hit a chord within society even then for a certain "witch trial" of Communists was being held. Today I am going to state the main differences b/w the two. First of all, the dispute was obviously b/w the Putnams and the Porters instead of being over land even if both views of this tragedy stated that the thinking behind it would be to settle grudges. Another main difference was how the whole thing started. Instead of them being found dancing in the forest, they were trying to tell their fortunes and whom they would marry. Intertwining this into the rest of it, a third difference was prevalent was how the whole scenario ended. Instead of Abigail Williams and Mercy Lewis seeking haven from leaving such an abysmal place, it was Elizabeth (Betty) Parris and Mary Walcot when they got married.
There was never really a dispute over land, although some may claim such an odd thing. Rather it was an ugly dispute over the keeping the Puritan traditions amongst two rivaling families. The worldly views of the Porters versus the poor spirited views of the Putnams was sure to dampen anyone's spirits. According to Discovery.com, "Ezekiel Putnam and his God fearing clan were at odds with the worldly thinking Israel Porter and his people.” www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.html
To progress in this direction of nitpicking through the different plots going on between these two sources, we stumble upon the fact that Arthur Miller said that the girls were dancing but instead they were really seeking their fortunes. Entranced by a homemade crystal ball, they tried to decipher the shapes in the gooey mess, probably in hopes of finding their future husbands. Looking into the depths of its amorphous mass with the help of Tituba, a slave from Barbados, all they saw was a coffin. From that, they were sent into a frenzy of fits. Perhaps this came from their own meddling with the devil. We shall never know. Also according to Discovery.com, “They were trying to find out who their future husband would be. Living in a Puritan town, they knew this was forbidden.” www.discovery.com/stories/history/witches/accusations.html
Now that we come upon a third difference, last but not least, there is the ending of the tale. In the play, The Crucible, Abigail Williams and her friend, Mercy Lewis steal Rev. Samuel Parris’s money and run away. In real life, this wasn’t true. Abigail never left town, for everyone can acutely remember her stark madness until her dying days. Nobody even knows what happened to Mercy Lewis or whether she was even part of the plot. Elizabeth Parris and Mary Walcot were the only ones known to have left town, but that was after they were good and married. Perhaps they married the guy that they wanted, only they would know. “Nobody really knows what happened to Abigail Williams, except that she was cursed with fits and madness until she died.” www.discovery.com/stories/history/witches/aftermath.html
Now in conclusion to this horrible event, I hope not to have left you with a somber heart. We should remember this tragedy, yes, and even take it mind not to repeat its mistakes. I was merely pointing out three major differences, although there might infinite many if you choose to ransack the whole thing. The fight was over traditions being broken, not land. The girls were not participating in a forbidden dance, but a session of psychic residence. And the aftermath of what happened to the girls remains to be different from what happened in the play. It was a mighty point in history when the witch trials of 1692 were held, a giant fault against American pride. Let us take it to heart and remember those who died innocently for its purpose.
There was never really a dispute over land, although some may claim such an odd thing. Rather it was an ugly dispute over the keeping the Puritan traditions amongst two rivaling families. The worldly views of the Porters versus the poor spirited views of the Putnams was sure to dampen anyone's spirits. According to Discovery.com, "Ezekiel Putnam and his God fearing clan were at odds with the worldly thinking Israel Porter and his people.” www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.html
To progress in this direction of nitpicking through the different plots going on between these two sources, we stumble upon the fact that Arthur Miller said that the girls were dancing but instead they were really seeking their fortunes. Entranced by a homemade crystal ball, they tried to decipher the shapes in the gooey mess, probably in hopes of finding their future husbands. Looking into the depths of its amorphous mass with the help of Tituba, a slave from Barbados, all they saw was a coffin. From that, they were sent into a frenzy of fits. Perhaps this came from their own meddling with the devil. We shall never know. Also according to Discovery.com, “They were trying to find out who their future husband would be. Living in a Puritan town, they knew this was forbidden.” www.discovery.com/stories/history/witches/accusations.html
Now that we come upon a third difference, last but not least, there is the ending of the tale. In the play, The Crucible, Abigail Williams and her friend, Mercy Lewis steal Rev. Samuel Parris’s money and run away. In real life, this wasn’t true. Abigail never left town, for everyone can acutely remember her stark madness until her dying days. Nobody even knows what happened to Mercy Lewis or whether she was even part of the plot. Elizabeth Parris and Mary Walcot were the only ones known to have left town, but that was after they were good and married. Perhaps they married the guy that they wanted, only they would know. “Nobody really knows what happened to Abigail Williams, except that she was cursed with fits and madness until she died.” www.discovery.com/stories/history/witches/aftermath.html
Now in conclusion to this horrible event, I hope not to have left you with a somber heart. We should remember this tragedy, yes, and even take it mind not to repeat its mistakes. I was merely pointing out three major differences, although there might infinite many if you choose to ransack the whole thing. The fight was over traditions being broken, not land. The girls were not participating in a forbidden dance, but a session of psychic residence. And the aftermath of what happened to the girls remains to be different from what happened in the play. It was a mighty point in history when the witch trials of 1692 were held, a giant fault against American pride. Let us take it to heart and remember those who died innocently for its purpose.
