The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a historical novel written by Elizabeth George Speare. It was first published in 1958 and has since become a classic in children's literature. The story takes place in the late 17th century and follows the life of a young girl named Kit Tyler. Kit Tyler grew up in the lush island of Barbados but is forced to move to the Puritan settlement of Connecticut after her grandfather's death. She goes to live with her Aunt Rachel and her family, where she faces numerous challenges due to her unconventional beliefs and free-spirited nature. In the town of Wethersfield, Kit is seen as an outsider and is shunned by the community.
In the creation parable described in the novel, Aslan began creating Narnia in a void world space. Simultaneously, Diggory, Polly, The White Witch, and an unsuspecting crew of magnetic followers arrived in that land by jumping into the pool; from the “land between the worlds.” Aslan speaks and moves throughout the land, and as he does, light appears, and then, in slow succession, life and the world is born. I will not attempt to recreate it here because C. S. Lewis does a fabulous job of it, and I highly recommend you go and read it for yourself!
And I love, I love, the cosmogony of Narnia beautiful rendered as Aslan calls a new world into existence and seeks to protect it from the great evil, or neevil, as the animals say, that has inhabited this perfect land from the start. And I love, I love, the cosmogony of Narnia beautiful rendered as Aslan calls a new world into existence and seeks to protect it from the great evil, or neevil, as the animals say, that has inhabited this perfect land from the start.
In the town of Wethersfield, Kit is seen as an outsider and is shunned by the community. She befriends Hannah Tupper, an elderly Quaker woman who is deemed a witch by the townspeople. Through her friendship with Hannah, Kit learns about tolerance, acceptance, and the power of love.
The Magician, The Witch, and the Fall of Humankind
I have just completed reading, rather re-reading, The Magician’s Nephew, the penultimate book in C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series. I have to admit, this is my favorite book. I always look forward to meeting the stubborn Diggory and the ambitious, wise, and cautious Polly. I anticipate the moment that the sniveling Uncle succumbs to groveling at the feet of the great and evil queen of Narnia, the White Witch. And I love, I love, the cosmogony of Narnia beautiful rendered as Aslan calls a new world into existence and seeks to protect it from the great evil, or “neevil,” as the animals say, that has inhabited this perfect land from the start. Aslan’s promise comes in the familiar form of a perfect garden with a Tree of Life at its heart.
In the creation parable described in the novel, Aslan began creating Narnia in a void world space. Simultaneously, Diggory, Polly, The White Witch, and an unsuspecting crew of magnetic followers arrived in that land by jumping into the pool; from the “land between the worlds.” Aslan speaks and moves throughout the land, and as he does, light appears, and then, in slow succession, life and the world is born. I will not attempt to recreate it here because C. S. Lewis does a fabulous job of it, and I highly recommend you go and read it for yourself!
The fascinating religious reflection in this story is the concept of unavoidable evil and a plan to protect creation until they are ready. Proper timing is a concern of Aslan, the god-figure in the series. It was an accident (of fate?) that Diggory and Polly brought the evil White Witch from her own deceased world into this brand new and, until its inception, a pure world. Aslan knew about the evil, and he took time to warn the elders of the new world. He also asked Diggory to make a sacrifice to assist in protecting the new land. There is a secret and exclusive garden, a tree with exceptional fruit, and a great need for restoration. All this has me thinking about Genesis 1-2, which I have been reading several times this past year, with special attention to the magical tree at the center of the garden. The tree, which is the explanation for so much that goes wrong in humanity. I speak, of course, about the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
In Genesis, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is not the only tree of special properties; there is also the Tree of Life. But it is the one tree that humanity is warned from consuming. Regardless of God’s warning (or test?), the woman is curious and engages in a conversation with a “crafty” serpent; as a result, she determines that she should eat the fruit. Her partner follows her lead. In The Magician’s Nephew, there is a fruit tree in a forbidden garden. Diggory is offered the same test of temptation that befell the first humans on Earth, to be obedient to the lord of the land, Aslan, or steal a piece of fruit and save his mother. However, unlike in the Genesis narrative, Diggory passes the test and is obedient. As a reward, his mother is granted health. Diggory is very fortunate for Aslan’s grace toward him, especially because he already had unwittingly brought an evil being into this new and otherwise perfect world. Aslan promised to protect the inhabitants of Narnia for many generations, but he warned that a time would come when further debt would have to be paid to negate the evil. You can read more about that in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
There are clear parallels in The Chronicles of Narnia to the message of Christianity from Creation to the salvific sacrifice of Jesus, the Christ. Most people focus on the sacrifice of Aslan in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe as a parallel to the Christ in the gospels. Very little attention is given to the description of creation and original evil in The Magician’s Nephew. As an Old Testament scholar, I am taking a moment now to urge you to read this very short novelization of a religious cosmogeny. I can’t guarantee it, but I’m pretty sure you won’t have any regrets!
Read other blogs about The Chronicles of Narnia, or explore my comments on other fictional literature.
I have just completed reading, rather re-reading, The Magician’s Nephew, the penultimate book in C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series. I have to admit, this is my favorite book. I always look forward to meeting the stubborn Diggory and the ambitious, wise, and cautious Polly. I anticipate the moment that the sniveling Uncle succumbs to groveling at the feet of the great and evil queen of Narnia, the White Witch. And I love, I love, the cosmogony of Narnia beautiful rendered as Aslan calls a new world into existence and seeks to protect it from the great evil, or “neevil,” as the animals say, that has inhabited this perfect land from the start. Aslan’s promise comes in the familiar form of a perfect garden with a Tree of Life at its heart.
Kit also becomes acquainted with Nat Eaton, a young sailor who captures her heart. However, her growing affection for Nat conflicts with the expectations of her family and the community. As the story progresses, Kit finds herself torn between the customs of her upbringing and her own desires. Throughout the book, Speare explores themes of prejudice, friendship, love, and the pursuit of individuality. She expertly portrays the challenges and triumphs of Kit's journey in a captivating and engaging manner. The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a thought-provoking novel that sheds light on the complexities of society and the importance of embracing diversity. It serves as a reminder to readers of all ages about the dangers of judging others based on appearances and the power of acceptance. In conclusion, The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a timeless tale that captures the hearts of readers with its relatable characters and captivating storyline. Speare's vivid descriptions and well-developed plot make it a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction and coming-of-age stories..
Reviews for "The Importance of Education in "The Witch of Blackbird Pond"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I found "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The plot was slow-moving and lacking any real excitement. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth or complexity. The historical setting did not come alive for me, and I struggled to become invested in the story or the characters. Overall, I was really disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Tom - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" after hearing all the positive reviews, but I found myself struggling to get through it. The writing style was dry and overly descriptive, which made it hard for me to stay engaged. The main character, Kit, was frustrating and I found it difficult to root for her. The romance in the story also felt forced and lacking chemistry. I was ultimately left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book.
3. Emily - 1 star - "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" was a letdown for me. I found the characters to be unlikable and their actions often didn't make sense. The plot meandered and failed to keep my attention. I also found the historical inaccuracies to be distracting and took away from the overall reading experience. I was expecting a captivating story, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for an engaging historical fiction read.
4. Jake - 2 stars - I wasn't a fan of "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" mainly because I found the protagonist, Kit, to be incredibly annoying. Her constant whining and naivety grated on my nerves throughout the entire book. The story itself also felt repetitive and lacked a sense of direction. I didn't find myself caring about the characters or their struggles. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't choose to read it again.
5. Rachel - 1 star - "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" was a huge disappointment. The characters were unrealistic and lacked depth. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with the story. The romance was also cliché and predictable. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but the plot was slow and uneventful. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging historical fiction novel.