Poetry and Social Studies

Hemphill, Stephanie.  Wicked Girls:  A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials.  New York:  Balzer and Bray.  2010.  ISBN  9780061853289

SUMMARY:  This novel in verse is a fictionalized account of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692.  The author’s story is based on true events.  In Salem there are illnesses which the villagers believe is the result of witchcraft.  Ann Putnam, a twelve year-old, sees an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.  She and an indentured servant girl, Mercy, put into motion a series of lies and deception which ends with innocent people being executed for witchcraft.  These two girls along with five others become the witch seers of the village.  These teenage girls possess all the power in the village as they accuse their neighbors of being witches and warlocks.  The girls’ role as seers finally ends and the town understands it has been deceived, but is justice done?  This book is the “Mean Girls,” of the 17^th century.  The history books state that there may have been an actual affliction that caused the girls to act the way they did, but the author of this book contributes their behavior to good acting.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:  The verse format is fresh and engrossing, portraying the actions of the seven accusing girls into a captivating story.  The story is told through poetry alternating between three main characters, Ann Putnam, Mercy Lewis, and Margaret Walcott. The poem’s title and the speaker are displayed at the top of the page.  The beginning of the book includes an introduction to all the main characters.  In the author's note, Hemphill outlines the historical background, with source notes for further reading. The author also breaks down each character in the book with the background of the actual person he or she represented in the book.  I found this very informative and interesting. Before reading, students might want to watch a video or look at the facts involved in this historical event. The book is long, so it would probably not appeal to reluctant readers. It also uses the language spoken in this time period, which might be hard for students to understand. It is sure to be more popular with teen-age girls.  This novel is a very good read for ages 12-17. 

POEM EXCERPT:

I AM AFFLICTED

Ann Putnam Jr., 12 

“Someone makes my legs

whip about like sheets in the wind.

Someone curls and bends

my arms behind my neck.

All turns black and cold.

“Who goes there?” I cry.

I scream until the room comes lit,

and then I see witches

the same as the Minister’s girls—

Tituba, the Parrises’ slave, and Goody Good.

I swear to Father ‘tis the witches

who twist my limbs and cause me ache.

I blink my eyes and the witches disappear,

but I saw them stand before me,

felt them pinch my arm,

I know that I did.”

EXTENTION ACTIVITY:  Have students choose any scene or event from Hemphill’s book and rewrite it from the perspective of today. Pretend the scene is happening in 2012.  What changes would be made to the scene?  Have students share their scenes and have the class critique whether the new scene is realistic.  Students could also act out their scene for the class.

REFERENCES:

Hemphill, Stephanie.  Wicked Girls:  A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials.  New York:  Balzer and Bray.  2010. 

Images by Google Images. 

Salem Witchcraft Video

http://www.history.com/videos/salem-witch-trials#salem-witch-trials