Magical Theory (Wednesday, 2/22/2006, 4th Period)

[romanywitch]

"Today we're all about some history," said Jenny. "Check over this handout on the Salem witch trials and tell me what you think."


OOC: Class is up, but responses won't be coming 'til later this afternoon. However? This is one of the player's favorite historical events to read about, so very much looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with!

Wait for the OCD threads!

Comments

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[kikidelivers.livejournal.com]

Kiki read the handout with an increasing amount of discomfort. She had heard of these trials, and knew that witches were sometimes persecuted throughout history, but she had never read a full account of them.

"The sad thing is," she said, "Every one of those jailed or executed were most likely not witches, just victims of spite, jealousy, or hysteria."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[soldtoarmenians]

"Or a really bad trip," Xander added, looking down at the part about ergot poisoning. "This is the same stuff from that Z-Cases episode that makes tattoos talk to you."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[kikidelivers.livejournal.com]

"That, too," agreed Kiki. "Every witch I know of would easily be able to protect themselves from the sort of punishments meted out against them through a variety of ways."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[soldtoarmenians]

Xander nodded. "It does seem like anybody who had enough mojo to hurt people in the first place would have enough to defend themselves, so... the logic, she is lacking."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[kikidelivers.livejournal.com]

"And even witches who hadn't done the things these girls were accusing would be able to save themselves through a few protective charms or illusions," added Kiki. "You're right, there's no logic at all, just paranoia."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[demonbelthazor]

"There's logic," Bel said. "Greed. Accuse someone of witchcraft, and the person could lose their lands if they're convicted, and the accuser could snatch it up."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[kikidelivers.livejournal.com]

"Could women legally own or buy property during this time?" Kiki wondered. "I don't know - but if not, then someone must have been behind prompting these girls to make their accusations."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[demonbelthazor]

Bel nodded. "And many of the accused had property and no son to pass it on to."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[krycek-rat.livejournal.com]

"Possibly the accusers wanted attention," Krycek suggested. "Good girls of the time were quiet and obedient and not exactly in the foreground -- faking symptoms of a spell might have given them a way to garner sympathetic attention, even if it meant hurting innocent people."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[romanywitch]

"It's something that might have gotten out of control," said Jenny. "What started out as a supposedly harmless game could have become something they honestly didn't know how to stop. I don't think that excuses it, but it does explain how it might have happened."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[romanywitch]

"Unless, of course, most of your schoolwork had been focused on the bible, and you didn't know much about real witchcraft at all," said Jenny. "In which case, well, you're just ignorant and building your conclusions on a false logical premise."

Re: Discussion - Salem Witch Trials

[romanywitch]

"Right," said Jenny. "Most genuine witches aren't going to be that obvious."

Thank God Jenny wasn't around for 'Gingerbread' or she'd have lectured some teen witch types in Sunnydale.