Salem Witch Trials example essay topic
462 words
Based on the literature we have read so far, I think the Puritans were very confused and irrational. They were so scared of the devil or evil that it drove them to madness. It is unbelievable to me the events that took place in the Salem witch trials. A four year old was jailed, a man was pressed to death, people were thrown in jail, convicted, and hanged on the basis of unreliable and probably untrue evidence. The judges were unqualified and were arrogant because of their power. I am glad our court system was changed over time, because the court they had was very unfair. It was more like a show or a procedure that had to be done to make things look like it was justified. Even when the court found someone innocent, the judge would tell the jurors to reconsider.
To me, it seemed like alot of it was caused by the Putnam-Porter rivalry, the threat of the Salem Town to Puritan beliefs and ways of living, and the threat of the Indian attacks. Aside from the Salem witch trials, the Puritans were very strict and somewhat hypocritical in their beliefs. They didnt allow fiction or fantasy literature because they believed literature should only be for spiritual insight and instruction. They valued frugality, self discipline for self improvement, hard work, and self reliance.
They settled in Jamestown in 1602. Their government was theocracy-strict guidance of God. They believed one could not change their feelings by praying or church going, but must be saved by the "grace" of God. Their literature had a very plain style, which they valued in literature and especially religion. Unlike the pilgrims, who wished to seperate from the Church of England, the Puritans wanted to purify from within. Some popular books written by Puritans were "The Bay Psl am Book" and "The Day of Doom" by Michael Wiggles worth.
Other authors were Anne Bradstreet, my personal favorite, Cotton Mathers, Increase Mathers, and Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards had sermons, that were mainly meant to make the listeners feel CONTRITE and fearful. He claimed that God held you in his hand above hell and could let you go at anytime. He also urged the sinners to ask for the grace of God and be saved before it was too late. Anne Bradstreet wrote poetry such as "Upon the Burning of Our House", which is about her house being burnt down and her personal acceptance of it because she knows her true treasure is waiting in Heaven. The Puritans only lasted about a century, and by the American Revolution, few Americans would call themselves Puritans.
