Abstract

This study was written to examine the Salem Witchcraft Trial Transcripts and determine whether or not the language used in the transcripts contributed to the oppression of women and promoted witchcraft as a women's crime or problem. The analysis was written using feminist rhetorical criticism and was based on the language present in the documents of two victims of the trials, Ann Pudeator and George Burroughs, both of whom were interesting characters in the social landscape of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The study includes an introductory chapter that contains the purpose of the study as well as a brief background of the Salem Witchcraft Trials, as well as a chapter that explores past research on the trials in the fields of communication, women's studies, history, and law. The methodology chapter introduces feminist criticism, and the analysis is presented in the fourth chapter. The major conclusions and implications of the study are present in the last chapter.

Advisor

Wick, Margaret

Department

Communication Studies

Disciplines

Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication | Speech and Rhetorical Studies

Keywords

witchcraft, salem, feminist criticism, rheotrical criticism, communication studies

Publication Date

2012

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2012 Kasey Hunsicker