Witch Child Essay

Change. It is a small word of only one syllable, yet it can evoke fear and hate like nothing else. Many people are terrified of changes. They worship the status quo and are the most faithful believers of conformity. In Celia Rees’ Witch Child, the author slowly reveals how humans fear and hate what they don’t understand. The novel shows us just how easily lack of knowledge about something that is new to a person can lead to him/her fearing this thing. This idea is developed through the superstitions, religion and the natives.

The Puritans that appear in the novel Witch Child are driven by superstition and religion. They’re actions are often inhumane and unjust, but the evil monsters of superstition and religion obliterate any common sense. God’s Law rules here. P224 These Puritans feel their way of life and their beliefs are the way to go. The Puritans do not have a logical and clear understanding of the things that happen. At this stage, one must remember that Witch Child is set during times when science was nothing like it is today. Keeping this in mind, it is true to say that the Puritans do not have a clear understanding why their crops and cattle were dying. They turn to superstition for answers and came to the conclusion that witchcraft was present. In turn, their fear and hate of witches came about.

It can be said that the Puritans do not really understand what a witch is. They have no right to judge who is a witch and who is not. There is not correct or factual description of a witch. Ultimately, they rely on superstition to separate those who are servants of the devil and those who are not. “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” so it is written in the Book of Samuel.P178 The Puritans are strong believers in religion, in Witch Child the Bible also plays part in the defining of a witch. During the course of the novel many remarks made about witches often contain the words I believep201 which is telling us that the people who are making these comments are not sure whether or not it is true. However, the sad thing is, most of these comments are believed. It can be concluded that, the Puritans have