The first instance of simile usage happened on page 1 of the story, which takes place in the time of the 1680 witch trials. During the hanging of the accused witch, Mary Webster, a few people came to look at here hanging body, but never helped because, “I might rub off on you, like soot or gossip.” (Atwood 1). At the time of the witch trials people’s main fear was being called a witch,