Persecution

Witchcraft plays a large role in propelling the action of the novel. The name of the town, Salem Falls, is a reference to Salem, Mass., the location of the notorious witch trials of the 1600s. The novel also has similar themes and references to The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller about the witch trials. Witches were frequently persecuted in past centuries, and the prejudice against them lingers today. Gillian, Meg, Whitney and Chelsea are afraid that people will find out they are witches, and do what they need to do to hide it. Gillian's accusation that Jack raped her shows the lengths she is willing to go to hide their activities. However, one of the main rules of Wicca is that anything the witch does will come back on her three times as strong. Witches must be careful in their actions; however, Gilly disregards this and she...