Children sweating their hearts out while lying in bed sick. Their bodies, contorted with pain, are hot with fever. They scream and struggle against invisible beings that haunt them in their nightmares. In 17th-century Salem, Massachusetts, many girls exhibited these symptoms, and the town's residents were baffled. Witchcraft was determined as the cause and trials into the art of witchcraft ensued. To prevent more children from being harmed by the evil witches hiding in the city, Thomas Putnam, whose only daughter, Ruth, was ill, insisted on having witch trials. After suffering many hardships in his life and going through insecurities and emotional scars, Thomas Putnam found respite from his misfortunes in the witch trials. Thomas Putnam was a wealthy member of Salem society, but although he was financially stable, Putnam was never emotionally secure. Putnam and his father were never close to each other. He felt unloved by his father because, in his will, Putnam's father had not left Putnam and his half-brother an equal amount of property and money. Instead, his father gave a larger portion of his estate to Putnam's half-brother even though Putnam was the eldest son. This act made Putnam feel like he was inferior to his brother and hurt his self-esteem. To add to his insecurity, the citizens did not respect Putnam. He was an important and wealthy man in the city, and this probably caused some jealousy. Yet Putnam did not deserve respect just for his prosperity. He was educated and accomplished. He fought the Pequot Indians in Narragansett and helped protect his town. But Putnam felt betrayed by the city. The position of minister was highly prized in Salem, and Putnam's brother-in-law, Bayley, was......center of the card...when he said, “This is no foolish season, Rebecca. My Ruth is disconcerted, Rebecca; he cannot eat” (27). Putnam felt the need to avenge his family because the Nurse family was part of the faction that prevented Putnam's brother-in-law from becoming a minister. Thomas Putnam started and ended the witchcraft trials. He convinced Parris to publicly announce that witchcraft was being practiced in Salem. He accused people of witchcraft and dragged out the trials. He concluded the trials by accusing a dignified and respected member of society, Rebecca Nurse, of witchcraft. After such a pious woman was accused, the city began to fear that anyone could be accused of witchcraft. The hysteria that enveloped the thoughts of the citizens of Salem and caused the trail of witches was dispelled and the town had to wonder whether any of the accused were actually witches or not..