Understanding the Salem Witch Trials through the Lens of Feminist Criminological Theory

Abstract

This essay seeks to explore attitudes towards women in a societal and criminological context through the lens of the Salem witch trials. Women have historically been regarded as possessing an inherent deviance, either through religious rhetoric, or pseudo- scientific assertions. This deviance is one which was only presumed to be off-set through conformation with expected gender roles; specifically marriage and motherhood. The term “witch” has traditionally been used as a controlling title for the women who dared to venture beyond these norms. Using the events of seventeenth century Salem, I attempt to expose just how little this narrative has changed over the course of three hundred years.