Witches Among Us

We are quickly approaching the end of our exploration of the Salem Witch Trials that has introduced us to some of its lingering impacts and themes that will continue to haunt American society and literature. This post will serve to aid our deeper understanding and synthesis of the ongoing fascination with witches, their folklore, and impact on Gothic Literature.

After you have read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Hollow of the Three Hills” as well as the selected segments from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, I’d like you to attempt to define some prevalent thematic elements that encapsulate our study of this literature and the context surrounding it. It may be helpful to also reference the short sequences we viewed of the film The Witch, as I believe it is an important insight into some of the more contemporary understanding of witch hysteria in Puritan Massachusetts (think: repressed sexuality, anxiety toward female sexuality, etc.). I have posed some questions below that you can attempt to answer or, if you would like, pose your own questions regarding the text for your classmates and/or myself to answer (You don’t have to answer all of the questions below. These are merely prompts to guide you).

1.  What is your interpretation of “The Hollow of the Three Hills”? What similar or dissimilar themes are explored in this story as well as “Young Goodman Brown”?
2. What are some disturbing trends you have witnessed within the thought processes of characters within the “witch” stories we have read thus far? Do you see any of these features still present in contemporary American culture or society?
3. Even though we haven’t viewed much of the film The Witch, what have you found interesting about the film? Does it seem to reflect the literature we have read thus far? Why or why not?
4. As an instructor, I decided to use “The Salem Witch” trials as a springboard into our deeper discussion of disturbing trends within more contemporary Gothic Literature. In your opinion, what aspects of this literature will be most prevalent as we move forward in the semester? Why do believe this?
5. Are there any aspects to the literature we have read (or watched) in the past week confusing to you? Are there ideas or connections that can be made between all of the “witch craft” stories we have read? If so, what do you believe they are and why are they important?

First Day Introductions

Hello all!

Let’s practice posting to the discussion board by providing a brief (at least 150 words) personal introduction. You can tell us your major, hobbies, favorite book, movie, etc. Most importantly, I would like to know what drew you to this specific class. What about Gothic literature interests you? What Gothic/horror works are you interested in reading–or have read–and why? Also, try to reply to your classmates’ posts so that you can truly speak to one another (which is the point of this).

Welcome to class.

Welcome to Class

Be sure to check out the syllabus and schedule link. Also, discussion blogs will be post under the discussion board link.