WICKED WITCHES WERE INVENTED BY FRIGHTENED MEN

Authors

  • Chantal Cornut-Gentille D'Arcy

Keywords:

Women 'S history, witchcraft

Abstract

The act of communication, in this paper, will be understood as the way in which some part of the past is conveyed to us. Undoubtedly, the cultural importance of historical communication derives from its potential to influence thoughts and atittudes on and about particular events. Hence, the aim of this paper is first, to examine how insights from different disciplines have, this century, contributed to broaden and rectify historical accounts of and about witchcraft. From there, the subject will focus on why the female sex was more frequently accused Of witchcraft, most cases of witchcraft being susceptible of natural explanations. In the final part of the paper, the analysis will centre more directly on verbal communication by exposing how the old misogynistic charges against "wicked witches" persist today in certain expressions.

Author Biography

Chantal Cornut-Gentille D'Arcy

Dpto. de Filología Inglesa y Alemana University of Zaragoza

Issue

Section

Artículos