Entry #8: Comedy and the Corey’s

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This ‘Comedy Central’ video featured on Youtube depicts some historical aspects of Giles Corey and the Salem witch trials. As the clip is only about seven minutes long, the ‘ storyteller”, Drunk History, summarizes the details of the way that these events in Salem came to take place through a dramatic reenactment of what most of us believe to have happened. For instance, in one scene the girls are outside running around a tree in the woods. Is this entirely accurate based on the historical information previously discussed? The answer is, no, but this clip fits with pop culture stereotypes of the witch hunts. The clip depicts Martha and Giles Corey as onlookers, sitting back and eating popcorn as the trials happen and hysteria sets in, but soon they find themselves entrapped in the accusations as well. The clip follows Giles Corey telling “a story of Salem Witch Trials that often goes unheard”(Comedy Central). As Giles Corey is pressed by the rocks, this dramatic reenactment uses the popular rumor that he said: “I curse you Sheriff and the people of Salem.”(Comedy Central). This is different from the version we see in The Crucible, with Corey saying, “More rocks” as his final words (Miller). Historical records do not make clear what Corey’s final words were. However, something interesting to note about this is until the year 1991, the position of the sheriff of Essex County had been unusual as the holder of the office had died to a heart attack or blood ailment, the same as Sheriff Corwin back in 1696 (Brooks). In some ways, it seems the “curse” of Giles Corey lived on! After watching the clip, what are your initial thoughts on the depiction of the Corey’s? In pop culture, there is a focus on the girls of the Salem witch trials, so it is interesting to see this Comedy Central clip focusing on some of the lesser known victims of the trials. In what ways could the storyline change to show a more accurate representation of the events? Citations and links: Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice. "The Curse of Giles Corey". History of Massachusetts. Retrieved 28 December 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALmIsdiVajo

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Three-hundred and twenty-six years later, the Salem witch trials are still permanently ingrained in American memory. The details of the hysteric moments are sensualized in pop culture repeatedly. However, these details are not entirely accurate, often misconstrued and exaggerated for dramatic nature in film, books, and tv shows. How do these inaccurate detail and educational technology affect the way we remember and memorialize the Salem witch trials today? This online exhibit begins with the retelling of the ‘true’ details of the Salem witch trials from firsthand accounts and other primary sources. Then, the user will delve into the cultural depictions of what happened in Salem through film, media, and books. At the end of the blogs, I invite users to think about the details learned during their early education and the way pop culture has either transformed or maintained the historical depiction they learned. The relationship between the depiction of Salem women and stereotypes of ...
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