I Tituba, Black Witch of Salem is a novel written by Maryse Condé. The story revolves around the life of Tituba, a black woman who was accused of practicing witchcraft during the infamous Salem witch trials in the late 17th century. Tituba was born in Barbados as a slave woman and is of African and Arawak descent. She grew up in a plantation where she learned about herbal medicine and the spiritual practices of her ancestors. Despite experiencing oppression and slavery, Tituba is described as a strong-willed and independent woman. In the novel, Tituba is portrayed as a complex character who faces various challenges and struggles.
"Tituba looked for her story in the history of the Salem witch trials and could not find it. I have looked for my history in the story of the colonization of this continent and I have found silences, omissions, distortions, and fleeting, enigmatic insinuations. Tituba's quest for recorded evidence of her existence as a living, feeling, loving, active individual, who was as much a part of the Salem witch trials as her codefendants of European descent, leads her to a belittling, cursory allusion: 'Tituba, a slave originating from the West Indies and probably practicing 'hoodoo.'' She counters this footnote that condemns her to insignificance with a strong, self-affirming 'I, Tituba. Witch.' Maryse Condé lends her the words that assist her to tell you and me her story, speaking her life in her own voice- from the womb to the realm of the dead.
Maryse Condé's historical novel about the black witch of Salem furnishes Tituba with a social consciousness as contemporary as the motivating impulse behind the novel, which drives Condé to retrieve fragments of an intentionally ignored history and to reshape them into a coherent, meaningful story. It is the same consciousness that has motivated contemporary women of African descent- both scholars and artists- to explore the infinite possibilities of our lost history.
Tituba's voice is her own. But, of course, Condé meticulously researched this historical person, and Tituba's voice is infused with the historically complex and imaginative voice of her creator. It is therefore not rigidly anchored to the social issues of Tituba's times. The historical novel refuses to be confined within the ideological limits of the era during which it unfolds. Tituba engages in recurring meditations on her relationship- as a black woman- to feminism. In this sense, her voice can be viewed as the voice of a suppressed black feminist tradition, one that women of African descent are presently reconstituting- in fiction, criticism, history, and popular culture.
This is one possible version of Tituba, the black witch of Salem. There are those who dispute her African descent, countering that she was Indian, perhaps hoping to stir up enmity between black and Native American women as we seek to re-create our respective histories. As an African-American feminist, I offer my profound gratitude to Maryse Condé for having pursued and developed her vision of Tituba, Caribbean woman of African descent. Should a Native American Tituba be re-created, in scholarly or fictional terms, this would be true to Condé's Tituba and her revenge. For, in the final analysis, Tituba's revenge consists in reminding us all that the doors to our suppressed cultural histories are still ajar. If we are courageous enough to peer through the narrow openings, we will discover our fears, our rage, our hopes, and our roots. And sometimes there is magic behind those doors, sparkling clues about the possibilities ahead."
-Angela Y. Davis
There are those who dispute her African descent, countering that she was Indian, perhaps hoping to stir up enmity between black and Native American women as we seek to re-create our respective histories. Tituba s quest for recorded evidence of her existence as a living, feeling, loving, active individual, who was as much a part of the Salem witch trials as her codefendants of European descent, leads her to a belittling, cursory allusion Tituba, a slave originating from the West Indies and probably practicing hoodoo.
In the novel, Tituba is portrayed as a complex character who faces various challenges and struggles. She is eventually accused of witchcraft due to her unconventional beliefs and practices. During the witch trials, Tituba is interrogated and pressured into confessing her involvement in witchcraft.
I, Tituba, Black witch of Salem / Maryse Condé ; translated by Richard Philcox ; foreword by Angela Y. Davis ; afterword by Ann . Armstrong Scarboro. Read More
Publisher: Charlottesville : University Press of Virginia, c1992.
2 of 4 copies available at NOBLE (All Libraries). (Show all copies)
0 of 1 copy available at Beverly Public Library.
0 current holds with 4 total copies.
Afterword contains an interview with the author.
Translation of: Moi, Tituba, sorcière noire de Salem. Originally published in France. c1986.
"CARAF books"
Includes bibliographical references (p. [226]-227).
| Subject: | Tituba -- Fiction Witchcraft -- Massachusetts -- Salem -- History -- Fiction Witchcraft -- Barbados -- History -- Fiction Women slaves -- Massachusetts -- Salem -- History -- Fiction Women slaves -- Barbados -- History -- Fiction Trials (Witchcraft) -- Massachusetts -- Salem -- Fiction Women, Black -- Fiction Salem (Mass.) -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -- Fiction Barbados -- History -- Fiction Massachusetts -- History -- Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical fiction |
| Alternate Title: | Tituba, Black witch of Salem |
Citation: Condé, Maryse. "I, Tituba, Black witch of Salem." Charlottesville : University Press of Virginia, 1992.
2 of 4 copies available at NOBLE (All Libraries). (Show all copies)
0 of 1 copy available at Beverly Public Library.
Throughout the novel, Tituba's narrative unfolds as she recounts her experiences as a slave, her relationships with different characters, and her encounters with supernatural beings. The story also explores themes of racism, gender inequality, and religious fanaticism. Tituba's character represents the marginalized individuals during that time period, particularly women of color. Her story highlights the intersectionality of oppression, as she faces discrimination not only because of her race but also because of her gender and socio-economic status. Maryse Condé's novel provides a different perspective on the Salem witch trials, shedding light on the experiences of those who were often overlooked in historical accounts. The narrative challenges the dominant narrative of the witch trials, emphasizing the racial and social dynamics at play during that period. Overall, I Tituba, Black Witch of Salem offers a thought-provoking exploration of race, gender, and power dynamics in colonial America. It is a powerful and compelling fictionalized account of an underrepresented figure in history and serves as a testament to the resilience of marginalized communities..
Reviews for "Tituba and the Persecution of Black Women in Early American History"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I found "I Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" to be quite disappointing. The story started out promising, with the idea of exploring the life of Tituba, a marginalized character from history. However, I quickly became frustrated with the lack of depth and development in the narrative. The characters felt one-dimensional, and the events felt rushed. Additionally, the author seemed more interested in making political statements rather than providing a truly engaging and immersive story. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and not fully connected with the book.
- John - 2 stars - "I Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" had the potential to be a captivating and thought-provoking read, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The writing style was overly descriptive and convoluted, making it difficult to follow the plot at times. The historical context also seemed to take a backseat, and instead, the author focused more on delivering a feminist message. While important, this approach overshadowed the potential for a compelling exploration of Tituba's experiences and the Salem witch trials. Overall, I was left wanting more substance and cohesion in the storytelling.
- Emily - 3 stars - While "I Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" tackled an important historical event and shed light on an often overlooked character, I couldn't fully connect with the story. The pacing was slow, and the plot seemed to meander, losing its focus along the way. The language and writing style were also challenging to engage with, requiring multiple re-reads of certain passages. Despite these shortcomings, I appreciate the attempt to explore the marginalized perspectives during the witch trials, even if it didn't fully resonate with me.