Love, Values, and Attraction Theme Analysis

In The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Kit spends much of the novel contemplating romantic relationships. Early on, she develops a relationship with William Ashby, a wealthy and respected Puritan man in Wethersfield, the town she lives in. But it becomes clear that Kit doesn’t actually love William—she is simply attracted to the easy, comfortable life that she could have if she married him. At the same time, Kit begins to develop feelings for a sailor named Nat Eaton. She doesn’t recognize her feelings until the end of the book, however, only realizing that she loves Nat when they both risk punishment in order to protect their friends. Whereas Kit and William care about very different things, Kit and Nat share similar values—something that’s important in all the romantic relationships in the novel. For instance, Mercy and John Holbrook—both of whom are kind, thoughtful, and wholly dedicated to Puritanism—become a couple. And although Judith is originally attracted to John’s good looks, she eventually settles down with William, who shares her interest in material goods. By depicting the successes and failures of multiple relationships, the novel suggests that shared values are necessary for happy partnerships.

Judith’s first relationship fails because she chooses her potential partner for superficial reasons, as opposed to shared values. Judith’s first love interest in the book is John Holbrook. Given that Judith chooses John as her potential husband before the two of them have any significant conversation, it’s implied that she only chooses him because she finds him handsome. But from the beginning, Kit sees that John and Judith don’t seem right for each other—they’re too different, both in personality and in interests. John’s work and religious studies are the most important things in his life, and he takes no interest in discussing material objects, like houses and furniture, despite Judith’s attempts to include him in planning a house with her. In fact, Judith and John are so dissimilar that John never considers Judith as a partner—he is interested in Mercy from the start of the book.

Kit’s first relationship similarly fails because both she and William are attracted to each other for superficial reasons. William is immediately drawn to Kit when he sees her wearing a lavish dress. Whether it is her looks or her elegant clothes that attract him is uncertain; but what is certain is that they don’t have much in common. As William courts Kit, their lack of similar interests frustrates her—they can’t even carry on a conversation together. The main thing that interests Kit is William’s wealth, as she figures that she won’t have to work if she marries him. But eventually this promise of material comfort isn’t enough for Kit to be happy. She ends her relationship with William after he suggests that she cut off her friends, Hannah and Prudence, to save her reputation. Neither Hannah nor Prudence has a good reputation in Wethersfield (most townspeople believe Hannah is a witch, and Prudence spends a lot of time with her), so William worries that the townspeople will think less of Kit for being friends with them. But Kit cares more about being loyal to her friends than being “an example of what is right and proper” in the Puritan community. Knowing that “[she] could never care about the things that seem so important to [William],” Kit breaks off their relationship.

In the end, however, Judith, Kit, and Mercy all find successful romantic relationships with men who share their values. Where William was a poor match for Kit, he makes an excellent match for Judith. The two of them take a deep interest in planning their home, and they are both interested in maintaining their reputation (for example, Judith refuses to visit Hannah). Judith and William each tried in vain to make their original romantic interests—John and Kit, respectively—interested in material goods and planning for home life. But once Judith and William have each other—a partner who cares about the same things—they are happy. Similarly, while John wasn’t a good match for Judith, he is, as Kit points out, “incredibly, utterly right” for Mercy. Mercy and John are both mild in temperament, dedicated to their work, and deeply religious. Kit also finds a genuine connection when she falls in love with Nat. While their friendship has ups and downs, they are always loyal to each other. Neither Kit nor Nat cares about maintaining a respectable reputation in the Puritan community of Wethersfield, which eventually gets both of them in trouble. Kit finally recognizes her feelings for Nat when she contemplates his fiery character and his loyalty, traits that she shares with him. He loves her in return, and the book ends with the suggestion that they will marry.

In the background of these young romances is the relationship between Rachel and Matthew, Kit’s aunt and uncle. Throughout the book, Kit wonders why Rachel left her life in England for Matthew, a harsh man. Eventually, Kit figures that it was Matthew’s passionate commitment to his ideals that made Rachel “cross an ocean at his side.” But despite Matthew’s admirable character traits, Rachel never seems particularly happy in their marriage. As the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that Matthew and Rachel don’t share the same values at heart: Matthew is severe and inflexible in his political and religious beliefs, whereas Rachel is tender and prefers to follow her instincts over obeying rules. This is clear when Rachel gives Kit food to pass along to Hannah; even though she knows that she isn’t supposed to help a Quaker “heretic” like Hannah, Rachel “can’t bear to think of anyone going hungry when [her family] [has] such plenty.” Rachel and Matthew’s somewhat strained marriage therefore serves as an example of what happens when people form relationships with someone who doesn’t share their values. Similar principles, then, are necessary for happy partnerships.