The Witch of Blackbird Pond

by

Elizabeth George Speare

Quakers are practitioners of a set of Christian denominations called the Religious Society of Friends. They generally believe in “that of God within everyone,” or the idea that every person has Jesus Christ’s presence within them. Historically, Quakers have been known for their pacificism, belief in universal human rights, and involvement in social justice causes.

Quakers Quotes in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The The Witch of Blackbird Pond quotes below are all either spoken by Quakers or refer to Quakers. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Puritan Hypocrisy Theme Icon
).
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.”

Related Characters: Katherine “Kit” Tyler (speaker), Rachel Wood (speaker), Hannah Tupper, Mercy Wood
Page Number: 99
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

“Why should you take it upon yourself to mend a roof for the Quaker woman?” demanded [Matthew].

“She lives all alone—” began Kit.

“She is a heretic, and she refuses to attend Meeting. She has no claim on your charity.”

Related Characters: Katherine “Kit” Tyler (speaker), Matthew Wood (speaker), Hannah Tupper, Mercy Wood
Related Symbols: Great Meadows
Page Number: 132
Explanation and Analysis:
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Quakers Term Timeline in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The timeline below shows where the term Quakers appears in The Witch of Blackbird Pond. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 10
Puritan Hypocrisy Theme Icon
Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination Theme Icon
...distressed. Rachel urges Kit to keep her conversation with Hannah Tupper secret. Hannah is a Quaker, one of a religious group whose beliefs differ from the Puritans. Rachel adds that “Quakers... (full context)
Puritan Hypocrisy Theme Icon
Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination Theme Icon
...to Meeting? But Hannah says no; not only would the Puritans bar her entry, but Quakers also have their own meetings. Curious, Kit asks how someone becomes a Quaker. (full context)
Chapter 12
Puritan Hypocrisy Theme Icon
Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination Theme Icon
Furious that Kit is helping a Quaker, Matthew forbids Kit from visiting Hannah again. Even when Kit mentions that Hannah lives alone... (full context)
Chapter 17
Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination Theme Icon
...her to leave. Realizing that she is being hunted once again because she is a Quaker, Hannah begins to cry as Kit hurries her from the house and into the underbrush. (full context)