What effect does word choice have on the meaning of this excerpt from Benjamin Franklin's "A Witch Trial at Mount Holly"?

Question

...both Accused and Accusers being stripp’d (saving only to the Women their Shifts) were bound Hand and Foot, and severally placed in the Water, lengthways, from the Side of a Barge or Flat, having for Security only a Rope about the Middle of each, which was held by some in the Flat.

Responses

The phrase "bound Hand and Foot" emphasizes the seriousness of the danger.
The phrase "bound Hand and Foot" emphasizes the seriousness of the danger.

The phrase "both Accused and Accusers being stripp'd" clarifies that the accused were unfairly treated.
The phrase "both Accused and Accusers being stripp'd" clarifies that the accused were unfairly treated.

The phrase "only a Rope" highlights the lack of technology in Franklin's time.
The phrase "only a Rope" highlights the lack of technology in Franklin's time.

The phrase "held by some" shows that the villagers cooperated together.

Answer 1

The effect of word choice in this excerpt is significant in conveying sentiment and context. Here’s a closer analysis of the options presented:

1. "bound Hand and Foot" emphasizes the seriousness of the danger.

   • This phrase indeed conveys not just physical restraint but also implicates the severity of the situation faced by both the accused and the accusers. It evokes a visual representation of helplessness and the threat of drowning, thereby emphasizing the gravity of the trial and the possible consequences of being found guilty.

2. "both Accused and Accusers being stripp'd" clarifies that the accused were unfairly treated.

   • While this phrase does identify both parties as being stripped, it indicates a shared vulnerability that counters a simplistic view of the accused being victimized. It suggests a chaotic environment where everyone is subject to the societal norms and cruelties of the time.

3. "only a Rope" highlights the lack of technology in Franklin's time.

   • This phrase can suggest a primitive method of restraint, underscoring a lack of sophisticated means to manage trials or ensure safety, but its primary implication is more about the precariousness and danger than the technological limitations.

4. "held by some" shows that the villagers cooperated together.

   • This implies a sense of community involvement, but it can also convey a more ominous tone of complicity in the trial process. The use of "some" creates ambiguity about who exactly is holding the rope and raises questions about the motivations and moral standings of those involved.

Overall, each phrase contributes to the overall themes of injustice, societal norms, and the binary of victim and persecutor in a witch trial scenario, painting a vivid picture of the moral complexities during such a time.