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Chapter 18
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Witch of Blackbird Pond, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Puritan Hypocrisy
Love, Values, and Attraction
Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Home and Belonging
Sexism
Summary
Analysis
The next morning, the constable’s wife brings Kit some breakfast. She admits to Kit that she doesn’t think that Kit is a witch—Kit always seemed very decent at Meeting. She certainly thinks it was unjust to lock up a woman in a shed on such a cold night. Kit thanks her and asks when the examination will be.
The constable’s wife isn’t as easily swayed by gossip and prejudice as her husband is. She doesn’t think that Kit is a witch because she hasn’t seen Kit act in any way that would suggest that she is one, although she does show her bias against non-Puritans by basing her judgement on the fact that Kit comes to Meeting. If Kit didn’t participate in the Puritan service, the constable’s wife might feel differently.
Themes
The constable’s wife informs Kit that the examination will take place in about an hour. If they find her guilty, Kit will then go to Hartford for a jury trial. Noting Kit’s rumpled and dirty appearance, the constable’s wife brings her water and a comb to clean herself.
The constable’s wife helps Kit wash up so that she can make a good first impression when arriving for the examination. Her kindness shows that not all Puritans are the same: unlike her husband and many of the Wethersfield townspeople, she is kind to a stranger, even a stranger with a damaged reputation.
Themes
When Kit arrives at the Town House for her trial, she sees that it is crowded with people. Goodwife Cruff is there with her “cronies.” Her uncle is seated with the group of men who are the town selectmen. With a jolt, Kit thinks of how ashamed Matthew must feel that one of his own family is being examined. As she scans the room, she realizes that William isn’t there.
The fact that Goodwife Cruff has “cronies” suggests that she has been able to manipulate peoples’ fears and prejudices to convince them that Kit is a witch. Meanwhile, William is again absent when Kit needs him. Although she doesn’t know why, it is possible that he’s avoiding associating himself with Kit because if the magistrate finds her guilty, the townspeople may go after Kit’s friends and family as well. William likely doesn’t want to hurt his reputation in the town by defending someone the townspeople suspect of witchcraft. He lacks the loyalty that Kit possesses.
Themes
The examination begins. The magistrate, Captain Talcott, reads aloud Kit’s charge: by being friends with the alleged witch, Hannah Tupper, and by committing deeds that suggest that she conspired with the devil to bring about the recent illness, she is accused of witchcraft. He adds that witchcraft is an art taught by one person to another.
The Puritans believed that witchcraft was something that one person could teach another. This belief reflects how quickly the Puritans’ suspicions spread, as well as the importance of maintaining a good reputation with one’s neighbors. If a person associated with someone whom other townspeople call a witch, that person could be accused of witchcraft in turn. It is likely that this encouraged people to conform to mainstream Puritan culture—if they rebelled, they could damage their reputation and risk being accused of witchcraft. Kit’s experience at the witch trial also shows how these trials were based on prejudiced assumptions, not careful examination of evidence.
Themes
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Captain Talcott asks Kit if she is indeed a friend of Hannah’s and was therefore “acquainted” with Hannah’s cat. Kit admits to being friends with Hannah and to knowing the cat, although she adds that the cat was just a cat. Talcott then asks if she and Hannah cast spells on people in the town. Kit immediately denies this accusation. Talcott then calls the witnesses forward; Kit is stunned as she hears numerous people—people whom she barely knows—tell “stories” of Kit enchanting them, their children, and their animals.
Talcott and the other townspeople allow their prejudices to influence their analysis of facts. They want to believe that Hannah is a witch, so they misinterpret evidence to fit this theory. The townspeople do the same thing at Kit’s trial, as their “evidence” consists of stories in which they blame Kit for strange events. But Kit has barely interacted with these people, so it appears that they let their suspicions of a newcomer cloud their judgment.
Themes
Matthew interjects, shouting that these “witnesses” don’t have any “lawful evidence”—it’s all merely hearsay. He offers to “vouch for [Kit’s] good character.” Talcott sharply asks whether Matthew allowed Kit to visit Hannah, and Matthew admits that he had forbidden it. He says that Kit may be “thoughtless and headstrong at times,” but that she is by no means a witch. Talcott insists that they must continue to listen to testimony. Reverend Bulkeley, who is also present, cautions that each of the testimonies so far will not hold up in court, as each event has only one witness.
Both Matthew and Bulkeley call attention to the fact that the townspeople’s stories don’t constitute as evidence, as they are all hearsay testimonies without physical proof of witchcraft. Matthew tries to defend Kit, which again shows his loyalty to Kit and his dedication to protecting his family. The fact that Kit’s disobedience has such weight in her trial speaks to the sexism of 17th-century New England, where women were expected to be submissive and obedient to men. By disobeying Matthew to stay true to what she thinks is right (befriending an ostracized woman), Kit damaged her reputation and now risks legal punishment.
Themes
At the prompting of Goodwife Cruff, Goodman Cruff announces that he has evidence. Appalled, Kit watches as he holds up her copybook, the one that Prudence wrote in. Goodwife Cruff calls out that Kit must have been trying to cast a spell on Prudence by writing out her name so many times. Talcott asks Kit if she wrote “this name.” Not wanting to get Prudence into trouble, Kit realizes with relief that she can honestly say that she wrote the name—she wrote Prudence’s name the first time. When Talcott asks why she wrote it, Kit refuses to say why.
It's clear that Goodwife Cruff is the one behind the accusation, even though Goodman Cruff is the one who formally signed the charge and is presenting evidence. This implication is that, as a woman, Goodwife Cruff can’t do these legal proceedings on her own. Meanwhile, the numerous times that the name “Prudence” is written in the book suggests that someone was trying to cast a spell on the child. Kit is horrified, but more for Prudence than for herself, which shows her loyalty and selflessness for her friends. But Kit realizes a way that she can protect Prudence while maintaining her honesty, although this means that she will be incriminating herself. Kit’s honesty is reminiscent of Nat’s, when he boldly owned up to putting jack-o-lanterns in William’s house.
Themes
The crowd erupts into shouts, some people demanding that Kit be hanged. Talcott exclaims that everyone deserves a trial by jury, so the case—which now has legitimate evidence—will be turned over to Hartford. But at that moment, someone calls out that a man has come with an important witness.
The townspeople were already convinced that Kit is a witch, and this misinterpreted “evidence”—Kit wrote Prudence’s name to teach her how to write, no to put a curse on her—only further solidifies their incorrect assumptions.
Themes
At first, Kit is relieved and overjoyed to see Nat. But her relief turns to fear as she sees that Prudence is with him. At once, Kit cries out that she is indeed guilty. She agrees to go to Hartford, so long as Prudence doesn’t have to get involved. But Talcott silences her and summons Prudence to speak.
Nat’s loyalty again shows his combability with Kit, who is in the process of incriminating herself to protect her friend. Nat is also risking punishment by helping Kit, as he is technically banned from Wethersfield. Luckily, people aren’t paying attention to him, so no one point this out.
Themes
As Talcott questions Prudence, she reveals that Kit taught her how to read and write at Hannah’s house. She admits to writing her own name in the book and to visiting Hannah’s house on her own volition, after the first visit with Kit. Goodwife Cruff is appalled, and Goodman Cruff insists that Prudence must be lying—Prudence was never bright enough to learn. Kit, meanwhile, is shocked to see that Prudence looks bold and unafraid.
Prudence shows more loyalty to Kit than her parents, which reflects how Kit—along with Hannah and Nat—appear to be Prudence’s chosen family. Prudence has flourished since they’ve showed her attention and affection, so much so that she is now unafraid while testifying at a trial, something that would have undoubtedly terrified Prudence just a few months ago, when she was far more timid. Her growth illustrates how family isn’t limited to one’s blood relatives—rather, family can be any group of people with whom one has close, trusting relationships.
Themes
After Kit confirms that what Prudence said is true, Talcott asks Prudence to prove that she can write her name. She does as he asks. Upon seeing her writing, Goodman Cruff is in awe. Meanwhile, Reverend Bulkeley and Talcott acknowledge that the handwriting looks “[v]ery proper.” They then ask Prudence what she can read, to which she responds, “the Bible.”
Goodman Cruff is shocked that Prudence can write because he always assumed that she wasn’t smart enough to learn. But it turns out that his assumption was wrong: she couldn’t write because no one bothered to teach her before Kit came along. It turns out that her parents’ prejudices were what was holding her back.
Themes
Talcott opens the Bible for Prudence, and she begins to read. As Prudence reads, she becomes more confident. Kit feels proud of Prudence, and she impulsively looks over at Nat. Their eyes meet, and Kit immediately feels supported.
Kit is proud of how confident and capable Prudence has become. Kit and Nat also share a moment in the Town House, even though they are far from each other. Just by knowing that Nat is there helps Kit feel supported. The fact that Nat is so loyal and supportive of Kit—he was the one who brought Prudence to testify—implies that he’s a better match for her than William, who avoided the trial in order to protect himself from scrutiny.
Themes
When Kit looks away from Nat, she sees that everyone is staring at the Cruffs. Goodman Cruff shouts at Goodwife Cruff that she always underestimated Prudence. Goodwife Cruff is shocked into silence as “her husband step[s] into his rightful place.”
Now that Goodman Cruff realizes that Prudence is smart enough to read and write, he is angry that his wife convinced him to underestimate her. When Goodman Cruff silences his wife, the book commends him for assuming more authority in their marriage. The book implies that Goodman Cruff’s “rightful place” is being the more authoritative person in the marriage, which may reflect that sexism of the 1950s, when the book was published. In the 1950s, as well as in the 17th century (when the book is set), women were expected to by submissive to their husbands.
Themes
Goodman Cruff continues to say that he always wished he could read. In the colonies, he adds, it may be necessary for women to read as well as men. Happy that Prudence will be able to read him the Bible at night, Goodman Cruff formally withdraws his witchcraft accusation against Kit. Talcott officially announces Kit as “free and innocent.”
Goodman Cruff’s speech about how women should also be able to read suggests that his prejudices against Prudence may have been because of her gender. It’s possible that Goodwife Cruff thought Prudence was stupid in part because she is a girl, which would reflect how colonial society saw women as inferior to men. Goodman Cruff seems more open-minded than his wife, since he talks about how societal changes—like women reading as much as men—may need to take place in the developing colonies.
Themes
Furious, Goodwife Cruff shouts that the seaman who brought Prudence is the same man who is banned from Wethersfield. Upon seeing Kit’s stricken face, Matthew asks Talcott to let Nat go—after all, he risked himself to “see justice done.” Talcott agrees, but Nat is already gone, anyway.
Goodwife Cruff has found a new target for her hatred: Nat. She is so prejudiced against strangers that she is willing to punish anyone who is an outsider to Wethersfield. But Matthew persuades Talcott to let Nat go, which again shows how much he cares for Kit—he can tell how much Nat means to her, just from the look on her face.
Themes
Prudence approaches Kit, who asks how she got involved. Nat had worried that Kit might get into trouble, so he snuck back into town on a small boat. After hearing about the meeting, he found Prudence and asked her to testify, as he knew that Prudence would be the only one who could help Kit.
Clearly, Nat cares deeply for Kit. On a hunch that Kit might get in trouble, Nat came to town—even though he is banned from it—for the express purpose of helping her just in case something went wrong. His loyalty to Kit in this instance is reminiscent of how Kit came to Hannah’s aid. They both risked punishment to help the people they care about.
Themes
Grateful and in tears, Kit asks Prudence if she will be alright. Goodman Cruff approaches Kit to say that Prudence will be safe with him. Next year, he adds, Prudence will attend Kit’s school.
Goodman Cruff has overcome his prejudices against Kit, which he makes clear when he tells her that he wants Prudence to attend her school next year. The implication is that when a person becomes more open-minded, they don’t just help the people around them—they also become a kinder and better person.
Themes
Talcott announces that Goodwife Cruff must pay the penalty for slander: either time in the stocks or a high fine. But seeing Kit’s horror, Matthew announces that they won’t press charges and will just take Kit home.
Kit and Matthew show compassion for Goodwife Cruff by deciding not to press charges against her. Now that Kit has experienced the fear and anxiety of a public examination, she doesn’t want to subject anyone else to the same thing.
Themes
