HIS102Y1 Lecture 8: Lecture 8
Document Summary
Also suggested in order to really appreciate how gender worked in this period, had to attend to historical, religious factors, look more broadly. Sincere belief that witches were real, in magical powers. This period was a period of tremendous religious and political upheaval. Old uncertainties and beliefs seem to fall away as the reformation came into place. Witch-hunts more broadly in the context of the construction and practice of gender roles. Regional variations: 90% women in some places, in other areas majority tried are men. Witch as bearing ill-will, wish to inflict harm, demonic power. Vulnerability of women to witchcraft allegations given structure of gender relations. Significance of looking at the witch trials this way. Gender order, where women who were accusers of witches were caught up in gender roles. Kind of roles of caring for children, attending to animals. When misfortune happened, this could be causally linked the women involved in these activities.
