Crucible

Although magic does not exist, can women still be considered witches?

Women are often accused of witchcraft more than men. When this happens, women seem to act suspicious. They do anything they can to keep from being punished against this false accusation. This can range from accusing others to setting other people up to look suspicious to getting revenge on people they dislike. For example, Abigail went so far as to stab herself with a needle so it would look like Elizabeth was participating in witchcraft.

Can this not be classified as a witch? Performing actions towards others with evil intentions or actions considered "out of the ordinary". When they do this they are often frowned upon in society and punished in some way.

 

Can this be related to modern day events as well?

When women perform an action normally done by men, or participate in groups frowned upon by society they are treated differently. A witch is defined as an ugly or unpleasant woman. Unpleasant is a vague term that could be applied to a variety of situations. A woman is rude to a man? Unpleasant. A woman does something out of the ordinary? Unpleasant. A woman has weird habits? Unpleasant. It is very easy to accuse someone of being unpleasant. 

Even though they did not perform magic and still do not, according to the definition a woman can still be considered a with. This explains why so many women were accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials and many other instances and could still be considered a witch today.