The Witchcraft of Salem Village
By Shirley Jackson
1976, Popular Library
Paperback, 125 pages.
Take
one of the most messed-up and horrific times in American history and hand the
story to one of the all-time great horror authors and you’ve got quite a book.
Of course, Shirley Jackson needs no introduction; The Haunting of Hill House
and The Lottery alone will have her ensconced in the Horror Hall of Fame
forever.
We all
know the story… or do we? I live about 25 miles from Salem, Massachusetts and
these days, Witch City is crawling with all things Hallowe’eny and witchy, witches
are celebrated all year ‘round. (A piece of advice… avoid Salem like the plague
in October. It is a fetid tourist stew.) But while there is a Bewitched statue
in the middle of downtown, what really happened there (nearby, really… about 5
miles away) is no cause for joyous frivolity. The truth makes the merriment
seem like a load of bad taste.
Jackson
retells the story of the Puritans of Salem Village in the 1690s and their hysteria
which led to the execution of 19 people, with many more accused “witches” dying
in jail. Started by a group of bored teenage girls, they whipped up a frenzy of
fear among the ignorant townsfolk, accusing anyone they wanted of witchcraft. The
flames were fanned, and a real epidemic of mistrust, paranoia and lawlessness
ensued.
It is a
fascinating slice of American history, but it has the unfortunate ending of
“Oops… we made a mistake” when all was said and done. No justice was ever had
for the accused. In fact, as I write this (September 2021), the very last
“witch” to not yet be exonerated, Elizabeth Johnson, Jr., has recently had
papers filed to clear her name. Over 300 years after the fact!! What a sickening,
incomprehensible mess those religious nutsacks caused!
There
are many editions of Jackson’s book out there. I particularly like the cover of
the Popular Library edition. If anyone knows the artist, please let me know.
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