A Delusion of Satan Great Insight Into the Past Essay

A Delusion of Satan was written in 1995 by Frances Hill, and published by Da Capo Press. Frances Hill, an accomplished writer and journalist from London, has been writing for a decent period of time. Aside from publishing two novels, Hill has written fiction reviews for The Time (London) and has worked as a reporter in in both New York and London. With such an accomplished journalist, reporter, and writer, we are due to receive a good read in A Delusion of Satan. Set in the Colonial American village of Salem in Massachusetts around the year of 1692, A Delusion of Satan opens by describing, in depth, the puritan lifestyle. Ranging from the social aspects, to the religious aspects, to the political aspects of puritan living, Frances†¦show more content†¦According to text, rather than admitting that they were in control of their own actions, Ann, Betty and Abigail also accused Tituba of â€Å"placing the hand of Satan upon them.† From this place, the downward spiral only steepens. Tituba confesses (it was a forced confession) to witchcraft, and by February of 1692, Betty and Abigail accused two more women, Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne, making three total accused â€Å"witches.† Accusations, examinations, and imprisonment continued, and by the end of April, 23 more people are jailed under accusations of witchcraft. â€Å"Salem was possessed.† This pattern continued for the better part of a year. Almost 30 died, and well over 100 spent months in prison. In January of 1693, however, all of this would change. Sir William Phips, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, stepped in after his own wife was accused of witchcraft. He questioned the validity of all accusations and formed a new high court to try all accused witches. Of the many tried, only three were found to be â€Å"guilty.† This is where we start to see a rapid decline of the ordeal. With the formation of this new court, accusations held little weight until proven by Phips’s court. Additionally, Phips pardoned and ordered the release of all previously/remaining accused â€Å"witches† in May of 1693. So ends the Salem Witch Trials. Thirteen years later, in 1706, Ann Putnam makes an apology toShow MoreRelatedEssay Witchcraft Portrayed in Films6180 Words   |  25 Pagesof Christianity, during the third century of the Common Era. Chris tianity, following a monotheistic set of beliefs declared that any other representations of the Divine were incorrect, and that any other Gods were in fact demons from the legions of Satan. `Christianity succeeded, for a time, in making the Gods of the old religion the Devil of the new. (Crowley, Page 17) However, even with the political power of the conversion of Rome behind Christianity, it was having a hard time superimposing itself