Student Reading Journals and Essays on Wood, et al.,
Witch Hunts
Fall 2012
Granite State College,New Hampshire, U.S.A.
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In
2012, Dr. Ian Aebel, history lecturer at Granite State College in New Hampshire, U.S.A. introduced the graphic novel
Witch Hunts: A Graphic History of the Burning Times
to the list of required texts for his History 510 course.The students were required to read the graphic novel as part of their studies and the text was also used in its teachings on the Salem witch trials.The students were asked to keep journals and write essays on
Witch Hunts
; to put their impressions of the work on paper.With Dr. Aebel’s and Granite State College’s permission, we have collected the students’ comments in this special publication. The comments are unattributed for privacy reasons.We thank the students for their insights and Dr. Aebel andGranite State College for the privilege of including our graphic novel in its teachings on the history of the United States.We hope that
Witch Hunts
continues to play an important role inhistory education.Rocky WoodLisa MortonGreg ChapmanJune 2013
Wood and Morton have created a graphic novel
in which they discuss the many reasons leading up to the Salem witch trials.The book is unique in that it examines the ‘why’ behind the siege and the horror of torture and execution experienced by the condemned. In my research project,I am examining the correlation between Puritanism and the fear of Indians. This book addresses the logic behind who was condemned and why.“George Burroughs, a former Salem Village minister, was dragged from distant Wells and charged with feats of strength achieved by diabolical means. In truth,Burroughs was the victim of old grudges, which could now be settled” (WH 145).Burroughs had financial debts from when he was a minister in Salem. Burroughs was also known as a supporter of the Abenaki Indians as he had close contact with them. This relationship, along with his financial debt made him an idealsuspect of practicing witch craft. This book gives the reader a unique vision of history through graphic images that provide depth to the written word.