Salem Witch Trials And Hysteria
The Salem Witch Trials have long been an intriguing event in American history. Many historians have studied the witchcraft trials in order to determine what caused the afflicted girls to behave how they did. There have been several theories that have come about to explain their behavior. Among these theories is poisoning from food. Along with this, some think that the girls acted out of simple boredom or that they suffered from a mental illness.
In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris, Elizabeth (Betty) Parris and Abigail Williams, fell ill. At first, they began to act slightly off, but then began to suffer from symptoms that included convulsions and screaming fits. Reverend Parris called in the local doctor, William …show more content…
This illness belongs to a group of disorders called psychosomatic disorders. The symptoms of hysteria include silent states followed by screaming fits, hallucinations, and frequent crying spells. Hysteria is described as a psychosomatic disorder because it is a process in which the psychological symptoms have an influence on the physical well-being of the sufferer. Some of these physical symptoms are vision problems, seizures, inability to speak, and convulsions. The diagnosis of hysteria can also explain the marks and bites that the girls reported came from the ones they accused. A common psychosomatic symptom that can be found with hysteria is skin lesions, which can look similar to bites or other …show more content…
The Puritans believed that children were sinful and that the only way to prepare them was by physical punishment and denial of things such as toys and games. (Clarke) Due to being repressed, the girls likely desired the freedom to do more than they were allowed to do. The girls often listened to stories of witchcraft from Tituba and as a result they developed hysteria because of the conflict between what they were expected to do and the desire to rebel.
The causes of the Salem Witch Trials have long been researched and studied. However, it is more than likely a combination of a number of factors such as illness and religious practices. One theory is that the girls suffered from poisoning from a fungus that grows on rye grains. Some suggest that the girls did not suffer from anything at all but instead that they were bored with their everyday lives. Lastly, some people believe that the girls may have suffered from a psychological illness that caused them to behave
In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris, Elizabeth (Betty) Parris and Abigail Williams, fell ill. At first, they began to act slightly off, but then began to suffer from symptoms that included convulsions and screaming fits. Reverend Parris called in the local doctor, William …show more content…
This illness belongs to a group of disorders called psychosomatic disorders. The symptoms of hysteria include silent states followed by screaming fits, hallucinations, and frequent crying spells. Hysteria is described as a psychosomatic disorder because it is a process in which the psychological symptoms have an influence on the physical well-being of the sufferer. Some of these physical symptoms are vision problems, seizures, inability to speak, and convulsions. The diagnosis of hysteria can also explain the marks and bites that the girls reported came from the ones they accused. A common psychosomatic symptom that can be found with hysteria is skin lesions, which can look similar to bites or other …show more content…
The Puritans believed that children were sinful and that the only way to prepare them was by physical punishment and denial of things such as toys and games. (Clarke) Due to being repressed, the girls likely desired the freedom to do more than they were allowed to do. The girls often listened to stories of witchcraft from Tituba and as a result they developed hysteria because of the conflict between what they were expected to do and the desire to rebel.
The causes of the Salem Witch Trials have long been researched and studied. However, it is more than likely a combination of a number of factors such as illness and religious practices. One theory is that the girls suffered from poisoning from a fungus that grows on rye grains. Some suggest that the girls did not suffer from anything at all but instead that they were bored with their everyday lives. Lastly, some people believe that the girls may have suffered from a psychological illness that caused them to behave