The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a historical novel written by Elizabeth George Speare. It was first published in 1958 and has since become a classic in children's literature. The story takes place in the late 17th century and follows the life of a young girl named Kit Tyler. Kit Tyler grew up in the lush island of Barbados but is forced to move to the Puritan settlement of Connecticut after her grandfather's death. She goes to live with her Aunt Rachel and her family, where she faces numerous challenges due to her unconventional beliefs and free-spirited nature. In the town of Wethersfield, Kit is seen as an outsider and is shunned by the community.
The company had frequently portrayed itself as a saviour of small business, proclaiming that it was “making finance fairer” and “democratizing capital.”
The story is unfortunately a familiar one, take a mundane blocking and tackling business that has existed for decades -if not centuries- and add a little razzle-dazzle to it and turn it into something new and exciting. The story is unfortunately a familiar one, take a mundane blocking and tackling business that has existed for decades -if not centuries- and add a little razzle-dazzle to it and turn it into something new and exciting.
In the town of Wethersfield, Kit is seen as an outsider and is shunned by the community. She befriends Hannah Tupper, an elderly Quaker woman who is deemed a witch by the townspeople. Through her friendship with Hannah, Kit learns about tolerance, acceptance, and the power of love.
Halloween Hoodoo
The above quote opens the five volume set of books entitled Hoodoo–conjuration–witchcraft–rootwork : beliefs accepted by many Negroes and white persons, these being orally recorded among Blacks and whites by Harry M. Hyatt that can be found in Special Collections. Published in 1970, these books represent the culmination of years of interviews conducted by the author over a large portion of the Southern United States.
Not to be confused (as it commonly is), with voodoo or vodou, which are both religions derived from West African religions with a dash of Christianity thrown in, hoodoo is often classified as folk magic and is practiced mainly in the Southern United States. The difference between hoodoo and voodoo and vodou is similar to the distinction between Wicca and witchcraft. Also similar to Wicca and witchcraft is the fact that people often use all these terms interchangeably, though they have different meanings. Thus, one can belong to the voodoo religion and practice hoodoo, but they don't have to, and vice versa.
In hoodoo, a practitioner draws upon the spiritual power residing within them to perform a ritual to bring about power or success. Today's mainstream culture often portrays hoodoo as a negative thing because of the common misconception that all who practice it are greedy or corrupt.
Hoodoo–conjuration–witchcraft–rootwork is a record of people's interactions with hoodoo, containing many accounts about how the interviewee was affected by a conjure or how someone they knew was affected. One woman relates the experience she had when her neighbor put a conjure on her by burying a bottle containing sulfur, hair, a bluestone, and roots of some sort. According to her, this was the reason she was unable to stay up past ten o'clock each night. She proceeds to relate how she destroyed the bottle and its contents and was able to stay up much later the following night while the next day the woman next door had to go to the hospital due to a major problem with her leg. Another interviewee tells the author about a common practice of putting sulfur and ashes from the fireplace in a bag and keeping it in your pocket to ward off those that would do you harm.
Whether or not you believe that hoodoo works, these books make for interesting reading and are a comprehensive relation of a common practice here in the United States that most of us are largely unfamiliar with. So if you get a chance between your Halloween celebrations, come see us at Special Collections where you can find the books mentioned here along with many others!
"Difference Between Hoodoo and Voodoo | Difference Between | Hoodoo vs Voodoo." Difference Between Hoodoo and Voodoo | Difference Between | Hoodoo vs Voodoo. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2013. .
In hoodoo, a practitioner draws upon the spiritual power residing within them to perform a ritual to bring about power or success. Today's mainstream culture often portrays hoodoo as a negative thing because of the common misconception that all who practice it are greedy or corrupt.
Kit also becomes acquainted with Nat Eaton, a young sailor who captures her heart. However, her growing affection for Nat conflicts with the expectations of her family and the community. As the story progresses, Kit finds herself torn between the customs of her upbringing and her own desires. Throughout the book, Speare explores themes of prejudice, friendship, love, and the pursuit of individuality. She expertly portrays the challenges and triumphs of Kit's journey in a captivating and engaging manner. The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a thought-provoking novel that sheds light on the complexities of society and the importance of embracing diversity. It serves as a reminder to readers of all ages about the dangers of judging others based on appearances and the power of acceptance. In conclusion, The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a timeless tale that captures the hearts of readers with its relatable characters and captivating storyline. Speare's vivid descriptions and well-developed plot make it a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction and coming-of-age stories..
Reviews for "The Role of Traditions and Customs in "The Witch of Blackbird Pond"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I found "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The plot was slow-moving and lacking any real excitement. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth or complexity. The historical setting did not come alive for me, and I struggled to become invested in the story or the characters. Overall, I was really disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Tom - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" after hearing all the positive reviews, but I found myself struggling to get through it. The writing style was dry and overly descriptive, which made it hard for me to stay engaged. The main character, Kit, was frustrating and I found it difficult to root for her. The romance in the story also felt forced and lacking chemistry. I was ultimately left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book.
3. Emily - 1 star - "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" was a letdown for me. I found the characters to be unlikable and their actions often didn't make sense. The plot meandered and failed to keep my attention. I also found the historical inaccuracies to be distracting and took away from the overall reading experience. I was expecting a captivating story, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for an engaging historical fiction read.
4. Jake - 2 stars - I wasn't a fan of "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" mainly because I found the protagonist, Kit, to be incredibly annoying. Her constant whining and naivety grated on my nerves throughout the entire book. The story itself also felt repetitive and lacked a sense of direction. I didn't find myself caring about the characters or their struggles. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't choose to read it again.
5. Rachel - 1 star - "The Witch of Black Bird Pond" was a huge disappointment. The characters were unrealistic and lacked depth. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with the story. The romance was also cliché and predictable. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but the plot was slow and uneventful. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging historical fiction novel.