For one of their projects in literature, the High School Resource program has finished reading Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. The students enjoyed learning about the Puritan religion and all the rules the people of Salem, Massachusetts had to abide by. They were especially amazed at the fact that no one was allowed to listen to or enjoy music!!!
As part of Eaton Academy’s learning across the curriculum, the students in the Independent Living class, also wrote and illustrated a Salem town newspaper, reporting on the events that took place during the time described in the book. Most importantly their research covered the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1732-33. They discovered, through video, computer, and print research, the accusations that were made against seemingly innocent victims, and the ultimate punishment in most cases, of death by hanging.
Please take a minute to read one or two of the entries of a few of our student’s newspapers.
THE SALEM TIMES
1643
Dimmesdale Dies…Witch Trails Held…Famous Musicians…Famous Authors
Hester Prynne and the Letter A
D.R., soldier will you marry me? By: John Renfro Davis
The Three Butchers. By: Lesley-Nelson-Burns
Seven years ago in Salem, Hester Prynne gave birth to a baby girl, Yesterday; it was revealed that our very own Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale was the baby’s father. It also appears that Dr. Roger Chillingworth may also have family ties to Hester. As some my recall, Hester Prynne was seen during the past seven years wearing a large scarlet A on her chest. She has been found by the court to be guilty of adultery and was sentenced to wear the A for life.
It had been rumored that Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale were planning to leave the strict Puritan life, and start a new life in Europe. The secret Dimmesdale kept had caused him great stress and was quite a detriment to his health.
Lately, as many of you may have noticed, Reverend Dimmesdale had shown signs of declining health and nervousness in the past years. The terrible secret he was keeping literally cost him his life.
Miss Prynne will spend the remainder of her days sad and alone. Little Pearl, who seems to have a bit of the devil her, will remain with her adulteress mother.
The Witch Trails
D.R.
On February, 1642 in Salem, Massachusetts the Salem Witch Trial started. There were twenty-four people who were accused for being witches and convicted. One theory was that the maid of the Parris family named Tituba was making bread and putting poison into it. This would make people go crazy by calling themselves witches. The witches got hanged and died in jail for being witches.
The circle girls, Betty Parris, Abigail Williams, and Ann Putman accused Sarah Good and others of being witches. The usual suspects for witches were homeless people, a person who had a black and a yellow bird flying around, and a person who did not go to church like other Puritans did.
John Proctor was a farmer who had a pregnant wife and three kids. During the Salem Witch Trials people accused John Proctor of being a wizard instead a witch. After that, John Proctor was hanged. His pregnant wife wasn’t, but she had never gotten her land or house back for being a witch.
Cory Giles was an 80 year old farmer, who lived 5-6 miles away from Salem, Massachusetts. He refused to stand on trial because he didn’t want the state to take his land from him. By the end, he was put to death by pressing, which means he was crushed to death under rocks.
The Salem Times
1643
Dimmesdale Dies
KD
Seven years ago in Salem, Hester Pyrnne gave birth to a baby girl. Yesterday, it was revealed that our very own Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale was the baby’s father. It also appears that Dr. Roger Chillingworth may also have family ties to Hester.
As some may recall, Hester Prynne was seen during the past seven years wearing a large scarlet A on her chest. She has been found by the court to be guilty of adultery and was sentenced to wear the “A” for life. It had been rumored that Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale were planning to leave the strict puritan life, and start a new in Europe. The secret Dimmesdale kept had caused him great stress and was quite a detriment to his health.
Lately, as many of you may have noticed, Reverend Dimmesdale had shown signs of declining health and nervousness in the past years. The terrible secret he was keeping literally cost him his life.
Miss Prynne will spend the remainder of her days sad and alone. Little Pearl, which seems to have a bit of the devil in her, will remain with her adulteress mother.
Artist’s Corner…
- Vincent Vaughn – The Starry Night
- Michelangelo – The Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
- Leonardo Davinchi – The Last Supper
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Dimmesdale Dies…Witch Trials…Artist’s Corner…Music Corner
