The Salem Witch Trials

The Salem Witch Trials

Introduction

Samuel Sewall was a multitalented person, who is famous for being a businessman, judge as well as a well known printer. Samuel Sewall is widely known for his involvements in the 'Salem witch trials' and 'The selling of Joseph'. Although Samuel Sewall apologized for his attitude in Salem witch trials, it remained a controversial essay of that time. Samuel Sewall also got a chance to serve as the chief justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court of Judicature. The following paragraphs highlight the prospect and the views of the writer that he presented in various writings:

Discussion

Comparison of 'The Crucibles' to diary of Samuel Sewall on 'American Religions: a documentary history'

The Crucibles, written by Arthus Miller was the presented in 1953 and the play turned out to be the major box office hit at that time. It is eminent to mention here that the essay contains details of the events and incidences that took place in Salem in Massachusetts in 1962, but the writer has shown quite liberal attitude in the presentation of events and thus has adopted a liberal approach. The story of the play is purely based on fiction and mainly deals with the details and the discussion regarding witchcraft; in fact, it is the fictional dramatization of the events and incidences that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay during the days of Salem Witch Craft.

'The Crucibles' deals with a number of different incidences and events that took place during the era and also assists in understanding the general mindset and ideas of people during that period. It is eminent to mention here that plays are considered to be the best form of expression in term of feelings and emotions, and it is due to the same reason that people use plays in order to get an exact idea about the events and general sentiments that prevailed during one particular era.

Like 'The Crucibles', 'American Religions: A Documented History' also deals with the overall history of the America, with special emphasis on the witchcraft and the series of events lined to that. It should be noted that Salem with trails is an important and essential incident of the history of America that can neither be ignored and nor sidelined. However, as against 'The Crucibles', American Religions: A Documented History' has made use of Samuel's diary in order to highlight the incidences and to shed light on their importance and significance (Sewall, 2011). Moreover, 'The Crucibles' only deals with the events and incidences of one particular period of time while American Religions: A Documented History' highlights incidences that took place all over the American history (Griffith, 2007). Although the incidences in the Salem Witch Trials era are taken from Samuel's diary, there are other events as well and the book is composed of seventy- five classic as well as contemporary selections from the colonial period. Although the book contains a number of selections from the overall history of America and there are large ...