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Matthew Wood
Rachel Wood is Kit’s aunt, Matthew’s wife, and Mercy and Judith’s mother. Kindhearted and gentle, Rachel seems like an odd match for Matthew, who is harsh and stern. Kit often wonders what attracted Rachel to Matthew and eventually realizes that it was likely Matthew’s passion and fierceness. All the same, Rachel doesn’t seem particularly happy in her marriage. Where Matthew is inflexible in his political and religious beliefs, Rachel is more lenient about certain aspects of Puritanism. This is most evident when Rachel gives Kit food to deliver to Hannah Tupper, who’s a Quaker. Even though Puritanism dictates that people aren’t supposed to help people who practice other religions, Rachel can’t “bear to think of anyone going hungry when [their family] [has] such plenty.” She doesn’t always act according to Puritan principles but instead acts according to what she thinks is right. Because Rachel and Matthew don’t share many similar values, their marriage is strained. Rachel also exemplifies the sexism that women in 17th-century New England faced: she is subservient to Matthew, and she is limited to being a homemaker. The one time she tries to voice her political opinions, Matthew silences her, demonstrating how Puritan society barred women from participating in government or society more broadly.
Rachel Wood Quotes in The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The The Witch of Blackbird Pond quotes below are all either spoken by Rachel Wood or refer to Rachel Wood. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 4
Quotes
“Why, girls! What on earth—?” Rachel Wood had come back unnoticed, and she stood now staring at her daughter in the peacock blue gown with something, half fear and half hunger in her eyes.”
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Chapter 10
Quotes
“[…] But no one in Wethersfield has anything to do with Hannah Tupper.”
“Why on earth not?”
“She’s a Quaker.”
“Why is that so dreadful?”
Rachel hesitated. “I can’t tell you exactly. The Quakers are queer stubborn people. They don’t believe in the Sacraments.”
“What difference does that make? She is as kind and good as—as you are, Aunt Rachel. I could swear to it.”
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Chapter 15
Quotes
Rachel searched for some words of comfort. “I know it is a disappointment,” she attempted. “But will it truly change our lives so very much? Here in Wethersfield, I mean? We will still all be together in this house, and surely we will not lose our rights as citizens of England.”
Her husband brusquely waved away her comfort. “That is all a woman thinks about,” he scoffed. “Her own house. What use are your so-called rights of England? Nothing but a mockery. Everything we have built here in Connecticut will be wiped out. Our council, our courts will be mere shadows with no real power in them. Oh, we will endure it of course. What else can we do?”
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Chapter 18
Quotes
William could help her. Why hadn’t she thought of him at once? Anything William said would carry weight in the town. His position, his character, were unquestioned […] The thought steadied her. She thought of him coming to champion her […] Dear dependable William! Perhaps he would come tonight […]
It was Rachel who finally came instead.
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Rachel Wood Quotes in The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The The Witch of Blackbird Pond quotes below are all either spoken by Rachel Wood or refer to Rachel Wood. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 4
Quotes
“Why, girls! What on earth—?” Rachel Wood had come back unnoticed, and she stood now staring at her daughter in the peacock blue gown with something, half fear and half hunger in her eyes.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10
Quotes
“[…] But no one in Wethersfield has anything to do with Hannah Tupper.”
“Why on earth not?”
“She’s a Quaker.”
“Why is that so dreadful?”
Rachel hesitated. “I can’t tell you exactly. The Quakers are queer stubborn people. They don’t believe in the Sacraments.”
“What difference does that make? She is as kind and good as—as you are, Aunt Rachel. I could swear to it.”
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Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15
Quotes
Rachel searched for some words of comfort. “I know it is a disappointment,” she attempted. “But will it truly change our lives so very much? Here in Wethersfield, I mean? We will still all be together in this house, and surely we will not lose our rights as citizens of England.”
Her husband brusquely waved away her comfort. “That is all a woman thinks about,” he scoffed. “Her own house. What use are your so-called rights of England? Nothing but a mockery. Everything we have built here in Connecticut will be wiped out. Our council, our courts will be mere shadows with no real power in them. Oh, we will endure it of course. What else can we do?”
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Chapter 18
Quotes
William could help her. Why hadn’t she thought of him at once? Anything William said would carry weight in the town. His position, his character, were unquestioned […] The thought steadied her. She thought of him coming to champion her […] Dear dependable William! Perhaps he would come tonight […]
It was Rachel who finally came instead.
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