She’s the struggle for women’s rights personified. She’s passionately against a society dominated by men – and the historical witch becomes not just the symbol but the proof of repression of women.
Since the rise of the women’s liberation movements from the late 19th century onwards, witch hunts have served as an example of systematic social and cultural discrimination against women. In the 1970s, this lead to very exaggerated notions of the European witch hunts, and some talked of millions executed.
Among generations of feminists, the witch has been regarded as a strong and sexual woman – a woman dangerous to man, who therefore does his utmost to keep her down. In this light, the witch becomes a heroine – a powerful symbol of untameable womanhood and not just a historical figure though there’s a clear link between the two.