Question

How does Benjamin Franklin create humor in his article A Witch Trial at Mount Holly? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Answer 1

Benjamin Franklin used humour as a rhetorical device in his writings and swayed the reader toward his personal thoughts and ideas.

In “A Witch Trial at Mount Holly” Franklin ridicules the way of thinking of people in Mount Holly with language that is obviously humorous but also finely subtle.

“...the Accused had been charged with making their Neighbours Sheep dance in an uncommon Manner, and with causing Hogs to speak and sing Psalms.”