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The Devil in the Shape of a Woman
- Witchcraft in Colonial New England
- Narrated by: Jo Anna Perrin
- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
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The Devil in the Shape of a Woman
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Summary
Confessing to "familiarity with the devils", Mary Johnson, a servant, was executed by Connecticut officials in 1648. A wealthy Boston widow, Ann Hibbens, was hanged in 1656 for casting spells on her neighbors. The case of Ann Cole, who was "taken with very strange Fits", fueled an outbreak of witchcraft accusations in Hartford a generation before the notorious events at Salem.
More than 300 years later, the question "Why?" still haunts us. Why were these and other women likely witches - vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft and possession? Carol F. Karlsen reveals the social construction of witchcraft in 17th-century New England and illuminates the larger contours of gender relations in that society.
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Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- LCR
- 02-03-20
Insightful, Enraging and thorough.
This much needed female lens on The Witch Trials will enrage you with the inequality the women faced.
You get a very clear rundown of life in Puritan New England and how this utterly oppressive regime pushed women to breaking point.
There are times where the piece goes back to previously mentioned people and as often happens with history books there are the occasional run down of dates and names that can become confusing but that says more about my concentration than the work itself.
Possibly the most interesting are the parts on possessed witnesses. The author's insights of possession are particularly poignant.
The author also satisfyingly concludes the piece by giving their definition of the Witch Trials in a highly quotable sentence or two.
Stick around for the Afterword where the author offers clarification but, more enjoyably, a takedown of criticism of their work from a dismissive academic.
Overall, a thorough evaluation of The Witch Trials without fluff and without the sensationalism.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-01-19
Great job
Great book. Made me look at this time in history in a new light. Thank you
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