
Set against the stark beauty of a New England valley in 1692, the story opens on a modest farmstead tucked among birches and elms, where a quiet river reflects the surrounding hills. The narrator paints the landscape with such detail that the humble cottage feels both isolated and timeless, a perfect backdrop for the uneasy atmosphere of a community on the brink of hysteria. In this remote village, whispers of witchcraft begin to stir, echoing the real fears that once gripped the region.
At the heart of the tale is a gentle, timid woman whose life is upended when suspicion falls upon her. As accusations mount, she discovers an inner resolve that challenges the prevailing delusion, forcing her to confront what it truly means to live with integrity. The narrative explores how personal courage can emerge from the most unlikely places, offering a poignant glimpse into the human spirit amid a dark chapter of history.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (170K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2012-03-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1794–1864
A 19th-century American writer who moved easily between memoir, biography, fiction, and translation, she brought New England history and family life to the page with warmth and intelligence. Her work often looks closely at belief, memory, and the moral tensions of early America.
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