Stories of the Salem Witchcraft Trials

The history and horrors of the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 were vividly expressed in Arthur Miller's, "The Crucible" and Cotton Mather's, "The Wonders of the Invisible World". Even though both authors built their ideas and truths along the same foundations of the trials, among the two selections when taking into consideration the views of the two authors, similarities along with differences can be gathered. This is why each of these accounts reflecting the witchcraft trials can be identified as subjective as well as objective.

An example of these similarities and differences can be established through the author's objective and subjective ideology. Likewise Mather and Miller were intent on using actual evidence of the witchcraft trials, and of Puritan values to provide readers with an objective understanding of the trials. This was their overall goal, regardless of whether they thought of the trials as a humane, or an inhumane act against innocent people, by fraudulent people.

The basis of the objectiveness in Mather's portrayal of the Salem witchcraft trials was that he witnessed the trials primarily and was thus able to recapitulate them the way in which he envisioned them. He accomplished this mission by first addressing the reason for Martha Carrier's indictment which was the bewitching of several people.
Second, by briefly stating each bewitched witness and their testimony against Martha Carrier. Miller however, who was not at hand during the times of the witchcraft investigations was able to capture the atrocities of them through historical research. This provided Miller with plenty of knowledge regarding 17th century Salem, allowing him to author his 1953 play The Crucible from an objective standpoint. Historical Context located in the text, and complete descriptions of Salem, Puritan values, as well as actual characters, throughout the play through the use of dialogue and narration is clear evidence of his research.