Witch Child Reaction Paper

Reagan Campbell

October 30^th, 2012

Witch Child Reaction Paper

            “But I thought my own thoughts.” (36) During the time of the Salem Witch Trials, thoughts seemed to be the only thing people had left. Words had lost their meaning. The most powerful word, witch, could destroy a family, or condemn an individual to death. Throughout the times of the Salem Witch Trials and the accusing of witches in the novel Witch Child, nearly every citizen lost faith, forgot about their morals, but most importantly lost their trust in the people surrounding them.  

            In the novel Witch Child, Mary, the main character, states: “I am Mary. I am.” (224) At first glance, it is easily mistaken that Mary is simply stating her name. However, Mary pleads, attempting to display how much her name means to her, but most of all, she wishes to show she is not a witch. By repeating the words “I am”, Mary demonstrates she is begging to show she is just herself, and not the witch people have claimed her to be. Unfortunatley, Instantly after being accused, the point of view that everyone views Mary from is changed.  

            “I am a witch. Or so some would call me.” (3) Helpless, and defenseless, Mary demonstrates that the words spoken, now define who she is as an individual. This shows the power of accusation. In the eyes of others, Mary is not herself, she is not a normal human being, her name has been stripped and now she is simply, a witch, and all else has been forgotten. The word witch is now not just a word, it defines who Mary is, and she even says it herself. These words have become so powerful, they nearly bring death upon her.

I believe the author, Celia Rees portrays that words speak louder than  actions. For example: “They took her away then… deprived of modesty and digniity, the blood streaming down her withered body, and she would not confess.” (4) Although Mary’s grandmother was suffering, about to die, she followed her morals, and decided to her to keep her mouth shut, refusing to utter the words “I am a witch.” This demonstrates how a simple cluster of words has completely taken over a city, and has become so valuable that people are willing to die to avoid saying those few words. Words have become the difference between life or death, and that is extremely powerful. Similar to the character Proctor in the play the Crucible, he refused to sign a paper stating he was a witch, because he would never have another name.