The witch and we the people.
The witch and we the people is a story that tells us about the history of Philadelphia at around the year 1787. It was long ago, and therefore people’s experiences at that time, as explained by the story, may not be similar to the present. But somehow, the happenings reflect on what is happening in the present today.
According to the story, 1787 is when the constitution was instituted, and a successful government was formed. Philadelphia was the country’s capital city; it was large in population and hosted famous people among them, Benjamin Franklin and Charles Wilson. The city was known for its monuments like museums and taverns. The city hosted a constitutional convention that was supposed to protect its members’ interests. But at that time, some members of the society still had no rights, for example, the slaves.
The convention represented enlightenment during that time. The convention was especially concerned about keeping law and order. Certain things in the environment were causing defiance of the government. The time was hard, and theft was on the rise. Bankruptcies and beggars were the sites of the place. There was a lack of order in jails as the prisoners turned to beggars too. The dark world and superstitions also threatened the peace of the city. The city was under a lot of pressure.
Witchcraft was no longer recognized by law. And while the convention was taking place. Alleged witches were haunted and tortured by suspicious mobs. Mobs treated witchcraft harshly. Anyone suspected was attacked, and malicious acts were performed to find out whether or not one is a witch or not. One woman, korbmacher, became a victim of vengeance. When she was attacked the first time, she applied for protection, which was not accorded to her. The second attack on her led to her death. The government did nothing major. The writer describes the incident as bizarre and proves that enlightenment still had a long way to go.
The writer brings to our attention several issues that have shaped the history of people over time. He addresses several issues that are known to people and gives us a history and a vivid picture of what it was like in 1787. The writers heading tells the reader about his important points. The heading is relevant to the story. It tells how superstition and darkness could not be separable from the people even as the government tried to bring enlightenment. The witch we, and the people, explains how everyone is maybe a witch. The way that the mob handled suspicion about a person being a witch was brutal and unnecessary. The government, on the other hand, could not protect the victims. Mobs took justice in their hands over the slightest suspicion.
The writer argues that superstition was a part of the people during that time. And as much as the government was trying to bring enlightenment to the people. Darkness and superstition brought about a lot of disorderliness in the city. The fact that witchcraft was no longer part of the constitution made it worse for any victims, for example, korbmacher. She was suspected of witchcraft and was tortured. The government still could not protect her when she was in need. She died in the hands of the people. The writer sums it up by the heading. “The Witch and we, the people.” The people still had a say in some matters (darkness), and therefore the author thought enlightenment still had a long way to go.
It is also important to note that the victim of the injustice was an older woman. If she were still In her youth, maybe things would have turned out differently. But the woman, through her old age and infirmity, deserving of mercy and compassion, she had nothing that could have fascinated the mob, and that’s how her story ended. At that time in Philadelphia, the act may not have been a big deal, but it is bizarre for anyone reading in the present.
Personally, I think the story hints at and highlights issues that we still have to deal with in society today. Injustices in society are still being witnessed to date. And when people feel like justice is not being served, they take it upon themselves to solve issues. It may not be right, but it still happens. Darkness and superstitions could not go hand in hand with enlightenment. It was easier for people to be misled by one person’s claim. Superstitions did not die due to the enlightenment being brought by the status; instead, it was proceeded highly by the people than the lawmakers. Therefore, the people took the bulls by the horn and performed the malicious act at the doorstep of the convention.