Week 5: Wicked Witches

The witch as we know it in horror is a very old concept that, like the vampire, has evolved to meet the interests and ideals of its target audience. Despite originating in ancient times, the witch has remained fresh and exciting in popular media.

When many think of witches they either picture green skinned, warty, broom-riding, cauldron stirring hags with black cats, pointy noses and equally pointy black hats or they picture groups of young English children waving wands and attending a school to learn magic. The witches in Aunt Maria however did not fit either of these categories. They don’t fit old stereotypes of witches in the technical sense but also don’t belong with modern interpretations, although they do share some similarities.

Most notably the women of Cranbury are not hideous, although they might be considered a little odd in appearance by some, the majority of the women being older with eccentric personalities. I think that one of their main similarities with modern witches is the control they have over the men of their town. In American Horror Story: Coven this is also shown. An entirely female main cast uses the men in the show for their own benefits and has a diverse cast that I think needs to be present in more media.

The women of Cranbury are strong and run this small town in England by controlling everything that happens. And although they don’t exactly fit the old stereotype of witches they are still held in the same light in some sense because of this. Women with power are always cast in a negative light while men in the same situations are praised and rewarded. I think that witches are a great analogy for assertive women in the workplace and in positions of power.  You have these women that stand up for themselves and put their foot down when they want something done, but they are shunned by society because they demand respect in the same way that their male counterparts do.

Witches are on the rise in popularity and have the ability to show diverse and powerful women, something that pop culture needs today. People are finally realizing the potential that women have to be commanding and powerful, so hopefully the witches are here to stay.