Sparknotes Review: The Impact of Nature in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

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The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare tells the story of a young girl named Katherine "Kit" Tyler who lives in late 17th century Connecticut. The novel explores themes of prejudice, intolerance, friendship, and self-discovery. The story begins with Kit's journey from Barbados, where she lived a privileged life, to Connecticut where she goes to live with her aunt and uncle. Kit's fiery and independent spirit clashes with the rigid and strict Puritan society she now finds herself in. Despite the challenges she faces, Kit finds solace in the friendship of the Quaker woman Hannah Tupper and her connection to the natural world. Throughout the novel, Kit faces prejudice and suspicion from the townspeople who label her a witch due to her unconventional behavior and association with Hannah.


Other helpers who joined during the tournament:

To those who lost their game in tiebreak Skype, jon, mind gaming I want to say that it s a honor to play a tiebreak, and that you shouldn t worry about your loss. This amulet features the pagoda, a powerful cure against many types of misfortune, and the ultimate mantra for all-round protection and enhancement of good fortune.

Raiders amulet misfortune

Throughout the novel, Kit faces prejudice and suspicion from the townspeople who label her a witch due to her unconventional behavior and association with Hannah. Kit learns about the importance of acceptance and understanding as she tries to navigate her own identity in a world that is so different from what she is accustomed to. The main conflict in the story arises when Kit finds herself caught up in the hysteria of the witch trials that begin to sweep through the town.

Could This be the Meaning Behind Lara Croft’s Necklace?

When looking at the initial design image for the reboot Lara Croft, one thing in particular stood out. That was her beautiful jade pendant; the size and placement of it suggesting that the piece of jewellery could be significant to the story. In-game, the size had been decreased, but the vivid green stood out from the blood, mud and neutral tones that was the colour palette for Lara.

While I was playing Tomb Raider 2013, I fully expected that the swirly pendant would be some kind of key or talisman. Imagine my surprise when the end credits rolled and the necklace played no significant part whatsoever. I then thought that it would be important in ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’, and came up with the theory that because Lara interrupted Himiko’s ritual at the end of Tomb Raider, part of Himiko became trapped in the pendant. A theory that I have built into my fan fiction Tomb Raider 2013 continuation story because I believed in it so much. ‘Rise’ came around, and alas, as far as I know (as I am waiting for the PS4 version of the game) the pendant is simply just character design again.

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But what could it mean? During the construction of my cosplay I looked for something of a similar design in jade or faux jade glass that I could buy or take inspiration from. The actual design of Lara’s necklace, a small animal or spirit encased in a leafy style swirl, was nowhere to be found. Or at least, that specific design was absent. What I did find were pounamu necklaces, in particular, the Koru design from New Zealand.


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Known as the God Stone by the Maori population, pounamu has the reputation of holding spiritual powers to protect, evoke strength and prosperity, protect the owner, show love and kinship, and to depict growth and harmony. Something Lara would be very thankful to have during her time on Yamatai. It has been suggested that pounamus’ create strong connections with ancestors and the corresponding natural world - this theory is what lead me to believe that the necklace seen throughout the game will become significant during this reboot timeline.

The closest design to Lara’s is the Koru, a spiral. In Maori art, because of its fluid shape took from unfurling fern leaves, it is commonly used as a symbol of creation. Suggesting the ideology of perpetual movement, while the inner coil suggests a return to the point of origin. A metaphor for life both changing and staying the same; perfectly describing the way in which the franchise was rebooted.

The Koru can also represent new life. Taking the baby frond, it slowly unfurls as it grows before opening to a brand new leaf as the old one dies. Again, perfectly fitting for the reboot story line as Lara is thrown into her new life and grows into being a tomb raider (rather than just a very unlucky archaeologist!) as the games are released.


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So it certainly seems that the necklace wasn’t just drawn to look nice; it has real world symbolism with a host of hidden meanings relating to Lara’s life and the adventures she takes. I’m still confident that the necklace will become something else, if not, you can tweet at me in a few years time!

What thoughts do you have about Lara’s necklace? Comment below or tweet me!

Sparknotes analysis of the witch of blackbird pond

Innocent people are accused and tried, including Hannah Tupper. Kit's loyalty and determination are tested as she tries to save her friend, risking her own safety in the process. In the end, Kit learns important lessons about the power of friendship, the importance of standing up against injustice, and the strength to be true to oneself. The novel explores themes of prejudice and intolerance that are relevant to any society, reminding readers of the dangers of blindly following societal norms and the importance of empathy and acceptance. Overall, The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a captivating and thought-provoking historical novel that explores the themes of prejudice, tolerance, and self-discovery. The story of Kit Tyler's journey serves as a reminder of the power of friendship and the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of adversity..

Reviews for "The Witch of Blackbird Pond: A Sparknotes Analysis of Courage and Bravery"

1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Sparknotes analysis of "The Witch of Blackbird Pond". I felt like it barely scratched the surface of the book and didn't provide any real insight into the story or characters. It was more like a summary than an analysis. I was hoping for a deeper understanding of the themes and symbolism, but this analysis fell short.
2. Jack - 1 star - I would not recommend the Sparknotes analysis of "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" at all. It didn't offer any real analysis or interpretation of the text. It felt like a rushed and superficial attempt to summarize the plot. I was looking for a more in-depth understanding of the characters and their motivations, but this analysis failed to deliver. I suggest looking for a more comprehensive study guide if you really want to understand this book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - The Sparknotes analysis of "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" was a letdown for me. I was expecting a detailed analysis of the historical context and the significance of the witch trials, but it barely touched upon these important themes. It focused more on summarizing the events rather than exploring the deeper meanings behind them. I would have liked to see a more thoughtful and comprehensive analysis.
4. Michael - 3 stars - While the Sparknotes analysis of "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" provided a basic overview of the plot and characters, it lacked depth. I was hoping for a more insightful analysis of the book's themes and symbolism, but it only scratched the surface. It felt like a good starting point for someone unfamiliar with the book, but it didn't offer anything new or thought-provoking for those who have already read it.

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