The Witch of Blackbird Pond

What issue did Matthew have with Kitʼs clothing and why was this shocking?

• Her clothes go against Puritan belief

• He thinks she has bad style

• He values modesty and simplicity-not extravagance

• He does not want her looking better than his daughters

Why did Kit cry into her pillow the first night at the Woods?

• She felt unwanted and useless

• She felt homesick for Jamaica

• She missed Nat and the Dolphin

• She felt like it would have been more useful if she was a boy

What are words that describe colonial Connecticut?

• Dreary

• Oppressive

• Simple

• Grand

Compare and contrast Judith and Mercy. Discuss them physically and their characteristics

This character is out-spoken, likes beautiful things but has lived modesty her whole life. She is used to hard-work and life in New England. Her personality is controlling and she can come off as quite rude to others.

How well did Kit do the household chores? What does this say about her? (select all that apply)

• She did an awful job - according to Judith. This shows that she is not used to working hard and was spoiled growing up in Barbados.

• She did an awful job according to Judith and they all had to eat lumpy cornmeal for dinner. This shows that she had a cook and servants in Barbados so she is spoiled.

• She did a great job but Judith tells her otherwise to make her feel bad about herself. Kit often worked with the servants in Barbados.

• She worked hard and enjoyed the work but it was not up to the Wood family standards.

What does Kit do on the Dolphin that scandalizes Goodwife Cruff?

• She swims out of the boat to get Prudence's doll

• She swims away back to Sayersbrook

• She swims to the boat because they are rowing too slowly

• She swims out of the boat to get Purdance's doll

Describe Kitʼs experience at church (the first Meeting) and why she was upset at the end of the chapter five.

• The Meeting was long (2 hours), boring and there were several throughout the day which upset her.

• The people were staring and whispering about her during the Meeting because she was wearing her silk dress.

• The Meeting mentioned her and they discussed her acts of witchcraft by swimming.

• The Meeting boys were playing cruelly with a fly which upset Kit a lot.

Which words describe Judith's characteristics?

• She likes nice things (against Puritan values of simplicity/ modesty) for example when Kit gives her the silk dress.

• She is judgemental like the other Puritans of Wethersfield

• She is kind and soft-spoken

• She is jealous of kit so acts unfriendly

• She has a determined personality- she decides she wants John Holbrook and goes after him

Who does John Holbrook work for/ mentor under?

• The reverend: Dr. Gershom Bulkeley

• The Revarand

• Reverend Buckley

• The Revarand: Dr. Bulkeley