The Start of Something New?

Over time, the texts we have studied in this class have illustrated the progressive growth of confidence in women over time. In previous texts, women were shown as submissive and obedient. The Panther Narrative shows a woman standing up for herself. She refuses to allow her father to dictate her life to her and reluctantly follow his demands. She knows that she is in love and goes to extremes to get what she wants and achieve it even if that means disobeying her father.

Additionally, when captured by the “Indian of gigantic proportion” she refuses to comply with his demand to follow him to bed. She stands up for herself and devises a plan to kill him and escape. In previous texts the woman would have more than likely done what was asked of her.

Finally, in The Panther Narrative the woman is not seen as the evil, seductive temptress that she has been portrayed as in so many other texts. Here, she shows confidence and displays increasingly more similarities with women today. This obvious revision in the way women are portrayed in print may largely be due to the positive moral the female gender was gaining leading up the beginning of the feminist movement.

How Different Are We?

Women today have more in common with the “fallen” women we read about than I at first thought. The women in the texts are portrayed as criminals for doing things as relatively innocent as dozing off in church and going out at night. If the female population at TCU today were held to the same standards that the ministers in these times held the women to, we would all be hanging from the gallows.

Luckily women today differ from women in the past by being much more outspoken. The feminist movement has taught us that it is okay to voice our opinions and that it is unnecessary to live the submissive life of an obedient housewife. In addition, the feminist movement has also encouraged women to help break down the barrier between men and women not only in the business world, but in their social lives as well. Women desire equality to men and this is seen on any given Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night around campus. Women are more confident when approaching men and with their interactions between them. Surely the ministers would not approve of this blatant flirting.

I also began to wonder what these ministers would have thought of the celebrities and television shows that we idolize today. “Sex and the City” one of the most popular shows on television and a hit at the box office this summer, is all about women living independent, sexual lives in today’s society. The ministers would have been utterly disgusted and would have insisted these women repent their sins. Instead, today we celebrate their independent personalities and desire to have the confidence that they possess.

Obviously we no longer execute women for promiscuous behavior, however harsh consequences are still enforced. On TCU’s campus the most common form of punishment for this behavior is name calling. Women who do things that society decides is inappropriate are labeled “sluts” and “bitches”. The punishment is no longer life ending, however it can lead to a lifetime poor self-image and self-esteem.

Wait, Am I a Witch?

Prior to taking this class, when the word “witch” was mentioned an image similar to Kathryn Rountree’s initial reaction popped into my head. I immediately was taken back to my childhood when a witch was just an ugly character the princess had to overcome to live happily-ever-after. After our first few classes my definition began to change. I thought of witches as being misunderstood, unlucky, and in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, after reading Rountree’s, “The New Witch of the West: Feminists Reclaim the Crone” my idea of what defines a witch is forever changed.

Reading the history of feminist witchcraft has taught me that the term “witch” doesn’t necessarily need to be identified with devil worship, “stolen penises, and boiled babies”. (211) Rather it represents a group focused on the inclusion of the goddess, challenging patriarchal control, and valuing independence, knowledge, and feminine power. In fact, a large part of the feminist witch movement wasn’t centered around religion at all; instead it was at times used as a political organization’s tool to attract a crowd. I found it interesting that one of the only reasons the group kept the name “witch” was to hopefully change the negative connotation that typically coincides with the term do to historical texts.

Furthermore, I admit that I have slightly more basic knowledge when it comes to the Goddess. As a child, I grew up associating Goddess’s with Greek mythology: beautiful women wearing white alongside other Greek Gods and Goddesses. However, last year I took a class on King Arthur and did a presentation over “The Mists of Avalon”. Even though this movie is not entirely (if at all) historically accurate, it does give the viewer a glimpse into at least the stereotypical Goddess. I always found it interesting and refreshing that in this type of religion, the woman is supreme rather than the man.

Finally, the portion of the text that I found most engaging was Rountree’s reference to the “three aspects of the Goddess”. The author explains that the first two aspects of the Goddess trinity, the maiden and the mother, are attractive to men and therefore are included in Christianity. The third aspect, the Crone (older woman who speaks her mind) is conveniently left out…as in many other parts of our history.

Reading this text has opened my eyes and taught me that the definition of “witch” is changing. Prior to reading this article I would have never believed that I would say that I agree with certain aspects of “witchcraft”. My opinion has certainly changed.

Call me a cynic...

First of all I would like to point out that I personally have had little contact with the supernatural. I have never believed in witches or magic and assumed that most people felt the same way. In my house, Halloween was just like any other day and deep down I knew that even the simple tradition of taking my brother, sister and I out trick-or-treating once a year was more than my parents could handle. As I got older, I was amazed to find out how different my upbringing was from most of my friends. They loved the mystery behind the magic, dressing up in customs on Halloween, and reading scary and superstitious stories. With so much hoopla surrounding the supernatural I thought that perhaps I was just missing the entertaining point behind all of the fuss and decided to give it a chance...by taking this class.

Movies dealing with witchcraft have continuously been blockbusters. (The Harry Potter Phenomenon is just one strong example.) It is obvious that the unexplainable seems to attract a large crowd. For me, logically not understanding witchcraft draws me in and keeps me watching, wanting and waiting for more.

Additionally, in a world with so many pressing issues, the supernatural provides viewers with an escape. The mystery and simple fact that it doesn’t make concrete sense provides the viewer with an outlet away from the usual depressing news and storylines.

I must admit that I occasionally look up my horoscope in the newspaper to read what the stars have to say is in store for my future. However, I never take what is written seriously. In the odd occurrence that the horoscope proves to be correct, I have never thought it to be anything other than a coincidence. Furthermore, I find that when magic tricks are shown on television I am more interested in figuring out the illusion behind the trick than the trick itself. (Yes I said, “trick”, I don’t believe in magic...if you couldn’t tell already.)

Even though I don’t believe in the supernatural, I have many friends who don’t share my position. One of my friends, Becca, is the most superstitious person I know. She won’t even go outside if she sees a black cat through her window! I have always thought these myths were completely stupid and continue to give her a hard time. I just don’t understand how a random occurrence such as that can bring a person bad luck.

My initial thought of a present day witch-hunt is sadly the way that the gay community has been treated. In the past, witches were condemned for being different. I couldn’t think of a better modern day example to compare the witch-hunts to.