Eng 414W

Witch Trial Analysis

George Burroughs: Man of God or Man of Satan?

Upon the first read of the trial of George Burroughs in the book Salem-Village Witchcraft by Boyer and Nissenbaum, readers may initially believe that the accusations against him and his trial differ greatly than those of women who were accused of witchcraft. However, with attention to the focus on his male strength, his supposed ministry of the devil, and society's expectations due to the Filmerian system, we can understand that the case presented against George Burroughs is actually similar to that of women accused of witchcraft because they are all seen as deviants of the Filmerian system. This suggests that while different kinds of evidence were presented for all cases, women and men both needed evidence that they had been deviant to the larger construction of society to be accused of witchcraft.

It is a typical gender stereotype to assume that men are the superior sex, in mental ability as well as physical strength. However, the Filmerian system depended on these stereotypes and beliefs of hierarchy that men were stronger to survive (Norton 11). Several men and women in the Salem community stated that they had seen the former minister perform supernatural acts of physical strength. One such example is that of Benjamin Hutchinson who claimed that the Rev. Burroughs "could hold out the heaviest gun that is in Casco Bay with one hand which no man can scarce hold with both hands" (69). He was also accused by Thomas Greenslit of carrying a barrel of molasses with two fingers (85). Testimony implying some form of supernatural strength was also present when Mary Walcott claimed that George threatened to kill her so that she could not be a witness against him (73). Like Bridget Bishop, Burroughs was accused of pinching and poking victims, however, he went one step further than the female witches and is accused of forcibly threatening females, coercing them to sign the book, and threatening to kill the key witnesses in his witchcraft trial (77). This is a moment when gender shines through the testimony and the hierarchical society of this time perpetuates itself. The females are vividly more afraid and frightened for their lives when George's apparition appears because of his male gender.

Another piece of evidence that his trial displayed his deviance from the Filmerian system is the fact that he was supposedly a minister of God but was performing diabolical duties. In her accusation of George Burroughs, Ann Putnam said, "What, are ministers witches, too? He, which was a minister that should teach children to fear God, should come topersuade poor creatures to give their soul to the devil" (68). Burroughs held a high position in two ways. As a male, he was expected to take care of his wife and keep her in line (Norton 11). However, as a minister, he is the medium between God and the community and was also supposed to control his congregation. Instead of leading Salem closer to God, Burroughs is claimed to coerce people to become a partner with Satan instead of God. One such testimony from Deliverance Hobbs claimed that he was a preacher of Satan and gave sacraments of "red bread and red wine like blood" (70).

Similar to the women accused of sorcery and witchcraft, Burroughs was viewed as a deviant to the society. He did not fulfill his roles as husband, father, and minister. In a latter part of the book, it is expressed that during Minister Burroughs service at Salem ten years before the witchcraft trials, he had a poor relationship with several members of the community, such as John Putnam who claimed Burroughs owed him money (177). Burroughs had two deceased wives, and many made gossip that he had treated them poorly and even killed them. He was definitely an outcast in the Filmerian system for his poor record in husbandry. He was also criticized for being a man of God, yet not baptizing all of his children (77). After years of thinking that Burroughs was not a proper Filmerian man, the citizens actually called Burroughs back to the community to stand trial for witchcraft after almost ten years of residing in Maine. This is similar to the women who were accused of witchcraft, who after many years of being considered deviant in the community, were brought forth with charges and tried. Both males and females were vulnerable to be tried for witchcraft because of this deviance. It is only logical for their trials to appear different since the women were considered deviant in a different manner than a man. For example, a woman who was independent or outspoken could be considered deviant.

The community of Salem had no tolerance for the women who had sold their soul to the devil. However, there are several instances where it suggests blame and responsibility on Burroughs for the mayhem and witchery in Salem. It is almost as if the society of the Filmerian system could more easily believe that a man could convince women forcibly to become witches and would rather blame him than the women. It is also important to remember, as was stated before, because he was a minister, he was supposed to keep the congregation under control and in good standings in their relationships with God. On the contrary, Burroughs was accused of being not a good minister of God, but a servant of the devil who was there to bewitch them all. He was named a "dreadful wizard" and worse than a witch, "a conjurer" (73-74). As the man, he was given the duty to turn Salem's community into a bunch of witches and bring out the devil in them. In the testimony of Abigail Hobbs, she claimed that he encouraged her to be a witch and to get revenge on those she and he disliked. However, the majority of her testimony seems unstable as she contradicts herself. At one point she says that Burroughs provided her with the puppets and pins and later answers differently (81-82). More uncertainty is erupted upon readers when Margaret Jacobs confesses that she falsely accused her grandfather and Burroughs to save her own life (86-87). This question of true guilt or innocence is also apparent in the women's trials as many of the women had people who were testifying for them. Similar to the women, Burroughs was physically examined, however, they were unable to find anything suspicious (86). The children of George Burrough's later petitioned for compensation and claimed they had reason to believe he was innocent (89).

In conclusion, the trials of men and women suggests that while they were not conducted exactly the same, we do see a similarity because both man and woman were vulnerable to accusations due to their deviance. After it is all reviewed, trials for women and trials for men are simply relying on Salem's belief in the importance of obedience to the Filmerian system. In their eyes, deviance provided a valid reason for any evidence to be heard at all.