Still Witches
The Witch Trials that took place in the later half of the seventeenth century provide a clear model of the universal and timeless processes by which groups of people instigate, justify, and escalate persecution. Although this tragedy has been historically associated with the oppression and persecution of women by men, it is critical to note the often overlooked role of traditional women as "enablers" in society's persecution of the unconventional women. Many women who were not persecuted during the Witch Trials actually perpetuated them, either through accusations directed at other women or simply through tolerance of the events. Likewise, the women in Grenville's novel, "The Test Is, If They Drown" adopt the role of enablers by either escalating or simply condoning the malice inflicted upon those women deemed nonconformists. These enablers act to reinforce and encourage male suppression of women's rights by conforming to the ideals of society and ostracizing those who do no!t. The following paper analyzes the two types of female "enablers" (the active and the passive) in the novel and their significance in relation to the continuation of the suppression of women's independence. Defined briefly, an active enabler is someone
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Grenville, Kate "The Test Is, If They Drown." Bearded Ladies. Queensland: U of Queensland P, 24-36 However, like the women of the Witch Trials, she is forced to act as a passive enabler. This forced compliance is demonstrated through the interaction between Sandy's parents when her mother vocalizes her opinion on Miss Spear (as mentioned above). After voicing this opinion, her husband quickly "pulls the potatoes towards him[self]", indicating the transfer of her rights and opinions back to him. Thus, her "lips go thin" (pg. 25). The actions of these women do not oppress other women, nor do they encourage men to further oppress women. However, because they do not wholeheartedly challenge the social structure and the societal laws-whether spoken or unspoken, they do not discourage the oppressive behavior from traveling its continuous path from generation to generation. who, through their actions or words, promotes the suppression of others. This form of encouragement to the oppressor allows the suppression to continue indefinitely. An example of an active enabler during the Salem Witch Trials is Ann Putnam who frequently "called out the names of supposed 'witches'. She was particularly active in accusing Rebecca Nurse, the seventy-year-old church member [who was] hung on July 19,1962" (Hill, The Salem Witch Trials Reader 108). Just as Ann Putnam actively perpetuated the persecution of women deemed nonconformist in the late 1600s, Pam and Sonia actively perpetuate the persecution of women in their own society who fall outside of the conventional mold forced upon them by men. Almost as if mimicking Ann Putman's behavior from hundreds of years before, Sonia declares Ms. Spear a "silly old witch, [at which point] Pam joins in: Witchy witchy ugly old witchy" (pg. 33). Following this act of disloya! 1. Hill, Frances Salem Witch Trials Reader, Da Capo Press 1995 2. ---------------- :A Delusion of Satan, Da Capo Pre
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1358
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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