By: Betsy Pownall
The Hour of the Witch is a story of terror, fear, fake news, patriarchal power, and the subjugation of women. The story takes place in 1662 in Boston. The Salem Witch Trials have not, yet, occurred. Mary Deerfield is a 24-year-old woman who is married to Thomas Deerfield, a violent alcoholic. When the story opens, Mary has not been able to conceive of a child. People speculate that she has some problems. She, as well, thinks something is wrong with her.Â
Maryâs father, an importer, has just imported forks, a utensil no one has ever seen before. People are suspicious and some consider them the tool of the devil. One night, Thomas takes his rage out on Mary by stabbing her left hand with a fork. She realizes that in order to survive, she must leave him.Â
However, divorce is not easy in the Puritan community. Mary must appeal to the Puritan Magistrates, who will hear her testimony, then that of her husband. They will listen to witnesses, and decide whether or not what she is saying is âtrueâ.Â
Women in the Puritan community put their faith in men. If they are married, they must obey their husbands, otherwise they obey their fathers. Men are the next step from God. Women are not allowed to work for money. Their education is from the Bible and when they read for pleasure, they read the Bible. They must not express themselves when their opinion disagrees with their husbands. They are judged for their âpurityâ and âgodlinessâ.
In 1662, Boston was surrounded on three sides by a dense forest. Native Americans lived in the forest and were feared by the settlers. The small community of Boston relied on God to keep them safe. They were god-fearing, vigilant to ensure that there was no evil in their midst. The Devil can lurk anywhere, thus they feared each other, people, and things that âwerenât normal.âÂ
When Mary petitioned to divorce her husband, she stepped out and went against the community/religious code. The undoing of their marriage is an exploration of the dismantling of the patriarchal power structure, the courage it takes, and the measures the patriarchy will take to maintain complete control.
The Puritan chapter of American History is poignant in our developing nation. Much of what Puritans experienced in early 17th century New England can be seen in us, today: how our fear of the unknown can result in fear, suspicion, anxiety, and anger. This book appeals to the reader due to both its historical value and its fast-paced plot. Although it is fiction, it depicts how life was in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century.