The Witch of Blackbird Pond Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
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The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Lesson Plans by Bridget Baudinet
Winner of the 1959 Newbery Medal, The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a work of historical fiction set in seventeenth century New England. The novel follows a year in the life of an orphan girl Kit, who moves from the English settlement in Barbados to the Puritan town of Wethersfield, Connecticut.
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The Witch of Blackbird Pond Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Storyboard Text
- WILLIAM'S HOUSE
- THE MEADOWS
- BOOKS AND READING
- William's house is a symbol of marriage. The new home will be the first place he and his wife will live together. He begins building his house only after he has decided upon marrying Kit. The timeline of his courtship with Kit is determined by the building process. As his house nears completion, Kit knows she must make up her mind about William.
- The meadows symbolize peace for Kit. The waving grass reminds her of the billowing waves surrounding her home in Barbados. Kit comes to the meadows when she is worried or upset, and the meadows bring her a sense of calm.
- Books play a positive role in Kit's life. In Barbados, Kit found joy and adventure reading poetry and plays with her grandfather. Even in Wethersfield, where the Puritans disapprove of secular texts, Kit's favorite activity is listening to John Holbrook read the Bible. Reading is also the key to Prudence's friendship with Kit and her newfound confidence.
- INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION
- THEMES, SYMBOLS, MOTIFS IN THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND
- APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING
- Kit stands out from the others because of her independent spirit. She traveled alone all the way from Barbados, and acts according to her own judgment rather than the dictates of her society. The CT colonists value independence too. They object to control by a British governor and hide their original charter in a tree to preserve their right to self-determination.
- Many of the villagers judge others quickly based on superficial qualities. Both Hannah Tupper and Kit are labeled as witches because of how they appear or how they act. In reality, however, Hannah and Kit are some of the kindest people in the colony. The judgments the colonists make based on appearance are not accurate.
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