Formal Blog # 1: The Heretic's Daughter

Overall Impression on the Book.

An initial reaction to The Heretic's Daughter written by Kathleen Kent, outrageous, astounding, shocking, or even painful to some readers. This specific text personally was very thought provoking and it showed one particular endeavor that many women dealt with in the past. Witches were seen as “devil worshipers”, the rebellious, or the outsiders, and because the fear of witches was so common all women who were seen as “different”, were also seen as a threat. This then shows the pressure all women went throughout their lives. They always had a fear that one day they would be prosecuted for an illegal action they have not committed. A single rumor can terrorize not only the accused but the victims loved ones, family members, etc. Martha Carrier was hung due to an assumption! An assumption that was made because she was not "a traditional housewife". Being normal or average should not be seen as unacceptable, people are meant to be unique it is a part of our nature, it is how we as humans are meant to live. People like Martha Carrier should not have been punished. 

Contributions to the Witch Era.

The main purpose of witch trials were to preserve peace and a heavenly atmosphere throughout towns and the colonization. Truthfully the whole idea was built on anxiety and cowardliness. This so called fear lead to the deaths of the women, known as witches. Trials were all based on assumptions there were no facts or true evidence to accuse the victim. This then cause controversy, yet no one had done anything about it. What could they do? Rebel? Who would have the courage to even attempt to rebel? No one the fear of death was too strong. Richard had said," She was brought to trail and convicted they said she was a witch. And she was hanged because they said she was a witch." (202) The key word located in this passage is "said". No one had fought this belief and because of this the witch era had remained. 

Modern Situations

Today diversity and culture are represented in many ways whether that it is through religion, intelligence, ethnicity,etc. Though there is more culture, especially in the United States, it does not mean it is respected. Like in The Heretic's Daughter many are prosecuted for their race or religion. For example Islam is specifically known for terrorism and because of this innocent people are hurt emotional and even physically. This modern world example is one one of many. The world cannot accept the fact that all people cannot be the same and personally this is heartbreaking. The true beauty of the world is represented through its culture and how can we share this beauty when all we do is destroy it.