There are countless stories told about the Salem Witch trials, from humorous trails of the Sanderson sisters from the Disney movie Hocus Pocus, to the play The Crucible that used a horrible tail in the history of the United States to highlight the mindset of McCarthyism. Many people in academia have found the Salem Witch trials to be a baffling case and have attempted to divulge and make sense of the events occurring. When looking at the historians interpretation one may find a long list of why the events occur. In Salem Possessed by Boyer and Nissenbaum, the authors take a social history approach, and study the relations of the Salem Town and Village due to their geographical relation. In Devil’s Disciples author Hoffer also writes using social…show more content… However, a major difference that one must note is that Boyer and Nissenbaum write using social history in the form of exploring economic and geographical factors whereas Hoffer although explores the same evidence he is more focused on the individual actions than Boyer and Nissenbaum are. This is seen throughout the book, however an example of this is his discussion of Tituba. Hoffer opens up his book discussing Tituba’s role in the Salem Witch Trials. Hoffer states the following “Tituba also reminds students of our early history that everyone matters… her story is proof that the imprint of culture cannot ever be wholly eradicated by distance or suffering, for there are always connections to the lives of others in the life of a single one.” Hoffer relates that Tituba was able to retain a large part of her African heritage although being enslaved. Tituba, would have been exposed to different magic practices from West Africa while in Barbados which she would have taken with her to Salem. When confessing Tituba also makes herself a central figure in the trials, she confirms stories that were told by the afflicted girls as well as. Hoffer highlights that not only does Tituba have power in the trials but she also inflicts the inquisitors and the frightened villages with imagery from her own culture. When looking at Boyer a Nissenbaum, there is a lack of discussion of the role people had on the witch trials rather it was the collective attitudes in town. Tituba is rarely mentioned throughout the
