Kit Discovers the Blackbird Pond Witch In the novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare, the protagonist, Kit Tyler, finds herself in a foreign and unwelcoming environment in the Puritan settlement of Wethersfield, Connecticut. With her flamboyant personality and unique upbringing in Barbados, Kit struggles to fit in with the reserved and strict community. This sense of isolation and misunderstanding leads to rumors and suspicions, ultimately resulting in her being labeled as the Blackbird Pond witch. From the moment Kit arrives in Wethersfield, she is at odds with the Puritan way of life. Her clothes, customs, and especially her knowledge of the natural world make her an outcast in the community. The townspeople quickly form an opinion of her as a witch due to her unfamiliarity with their customs and her association with the Quaker woman, Hannah Tupper, who lives alone in the marshes of Blackbird Pond.
The townspeople quickly form an opinion of her as a witch due to her unfamiliarity with their customs and her association with the Quaker woman, Hannah Tupper, who lives alone in the marshes of Blackbird Pond. Hannah Tupper is a kind-hearted woman who is ostracized by the community because of her Quaker beliefs and her unique living arrangements. She becomes a friend and confidante to Kit, teaching her to appreciate nature and the beauty of the marsh.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond: A (Classic) Chick Lit Wednesday Review
Kit Tyler leaves her home in Barbados to travel alone across the ocean to colonial Connecticut in 1687. She has no reason to stay in Barbados with her grandfather dead and buried. With nowhere else to go she undertakes the long boat trip on her own assured that she will be welcome with open arms by her aunt’s family.
Her arrival doesn’t go as expected. Kit’s uninhibited childhood in Barbados has left the sixteen-year-old wildly unprepared for life among her Puritan relatives. Her cousins covet her beautiful clothes even while her uncle looks at the bright colors and luxurious fabrics of her dresses with scorn. Kit barely recognizes her aunt, struggling to see any hint of her own mother in her aunt’s weather worn face.
When she discovers a beautiful meadow near a pond, Kit finds some much needed solitude and a break in the monotonous drudgery of life with her relatives. Kit also finds an unexpected friend in Hannah Tupper, an old woman who is shunned reviled by the community for her Quaker beliefs and rumors that claim Hannah is a witch.
As she learns more about Hannah and her life by the pond Kit will have to decide what, if anything, she is willing to give up for a chance to belong in The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1958) by Elizabeth George Speare.
Have you ever had a visceral reaction to a book. The Witch of Blackbird Pond is that kind of title for me.
This Newbery award winner came to my attention after my aunt gifted me a copy from her days working at Houghton Mifflin when I was in grade school. Like a lot of books back then I motored through it, eventually donated my copy to my school library, and didn’t think about it again for years. But because I became a librarian and worked briefly at a bookseller, I encountered this classic title again as an adult.
Every time I saw it on a shelf I would feel that jolt of recognition. Yes, this book was one that meant so much to me as a child. It also, if you pay attention to book editions, has had some hideous covers over the years. My most recent rediscovery of The Witch of Blackbird Pond happened when The Book Smugglers featured the book in their Decoding the Newbery series. I enjoyed reading Catherine King’s thoughts (and share many of them) but what really jolted me was the cover. Because finally it was the cover I had first read so many years ago!
Finding and purchasing that edition prompted me to re-read The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I discovered a lot of the things I remembered loving when I read the story the first time: Kit’s determination and perseverance not to mention her friendship with Hannah Tupper. I also love the push and pull Kit has both with her cousins and her suitors. This story is more purely historical than I remembered and Speare’s writing is starkly evocative of Puritan New England.
For readers of a certain age, The Witch of Blackbird Pond needs no introduction or recommendation. Younger readers will also find a smart, character driven story. Perfect for fans of historical fictions and readers hoping to discover (or rediscover) a charming classic.
Possible Pairings: All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry, Chime by Franny Billingsley, A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, Conversion by Katherine Howe, Salt and Storm by Kendall Kulper, Witch Child by Celia Rees, The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni
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The book certainly stood up to the passage of time and I found meself happily rediscovering old details that had been clouded over. Kit is strong, intelligent, and above all changes for the better. The other characters are equally well drawn and compelling. I love that Kit is challenged over her ideas of politics, religion, slavery, and class. It is still fast paced and engrossing. The love and friendships and bonds formed by Kit and her family and neighbors made me happy. I also think credit goes to this novel for teaching me to call kittens “tiny balls of fluff.” I believe that it completely deserved winning the Newbery Medal of Honor.
However, the townspeople view Hannah as a symbol of evil and witchcraft, and anyone associated with her is automatically suspected of practicing dark magic. As the book progresses, rumors and gossip about Kit and her association with Hannah spread like wildfire through the community. The townspeople interpret Kit's unconventional behavior, fierce independence, and relationship with a supposed witch as proof of her involvement in witchcraft. Kit becomes the target of their suspicions and accusations, further isolating her from the only community she has. While the accusation of witchcraft may seem ludicrous to modern readers, it reflects the deep-rooted fears and prejudices of the time. The Puritans believed in the existence of witches and the devil, and anyone who deviated from their strict religious practices was seen as a threat to their community. This fear and rigid mindset drive the townspeople to target Kit and label her as a witch. Despite her best efforts to prove her innocence, Kit is unable to escape the label of the Blackbird Pond witch. The situation reaches its climax when she is put on trial for witchcraft. With no substantial evidence against her, Kit is acquitted, but the damage to her reputation and her sense of belonging in the community is irreparable. The accusation of witchcraft against Kit serves as a powerful commentary on the dangers of conformity, prejudice, and misunderstanding. It highlights the importance of empathy, acceptance, and open-mindedness, even in the face of societal norms and expectations. Kit's journey in The Witch of Blackbird Pond serves as a reminder that labels and stereotypes are often rooted in ignorance and fear, and we should strive to see beyond them to understand and appreciate the individuals behind them..
Reviews for "The Dark Enigma of the Blackbird Pond Witch: Kit's Search for Answers"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Kit discovers the blackbird pond witch" because I had enjoyed the previous books in the series. However, this one fell flat for me. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional. It felt rushed and poorly developed compared to the other books. Overall, I was disappointed with this installment and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - While "Kit discovers the blackbird pond witch" had its moments, I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The pacing felt off, jumping from one event to another without giving enough time for the reader to truly connect with the characters. Additionally, the resolution of the main conflict felt forced and unresolved. The author's writing style, while descriptive at times, lacked consistency throughout the book. Overall, it was an average read for me, but not something I would revisit or highly recommend.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars - "Kit discovers the blackbird pond witch" was a disappointment for me. The premise sounded intriguing, but the execution was lacking. The plot was predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development. It felt like a recycled version of the previous books in the series, without bringing anything new to the table. The pacing was slow, and the dialogue felt forced at times. Overall, I was underwhelmed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.