Trial and Interrogation of Anne Hutchinson, Article Critique Example

The “Trial and Interrogation of Anne Hutchinson (1637),” clearly describes Anne Hutchinson’s trial that takes place because she has strong religious beliefs, which are in opposition to the reputable Puritan clergy within the Boston region. Mr. Winthrop knows that Anne Hutchinson has never put signatures on any papers or made any of her opinions known in public about the Puritan clergy. Therefore, he utilizes his initial two lines of the prosecutorial attack to show individuals within the court that she was an abettor to other people who had explicitly caused trouble within the city-state, and to hold her responsible for illegal religious conventions afterward.

The governor does not approve of gender equality considering that he utilizes a number of phrases that clearly show that he discriminates against the female gender. The governor then tells Anne Hutchinson that she has no authority to teach against what had been put in place and that there is no law that advocates for her action. These words simply show that the court had concluded that Anne Hutchinson had to act according to what they had prescribed even before the trial ended. Anne Hutchinson remains adamant of the charges placed against her throughout the trial and dismisses anything said against her and her works by the governor and deputy governor.

The governor finally provides six ministers whom Anne Hutchinson is said to have admitted to about preaching on the covenant of works, and accused them of not being true ministers of the gospel. Therefore, Mrs. Hutchinson is found guilty and imprisoned. It is unfair that the governor avails witnesses to prove that Anne Hutchinson is guilty while she is not given a chance to let her witnesses testify, let alone defend herself further. This is seen when the governor tells her not say anything else since the court knew everything and was satisfied. Anne Hutchinson is tried unfairly and imprisoned for being a courageous supporter of civil rights and religious toleration.