The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

CHAPTER 1 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

wharf pg. 4

“The other passengers had hurried along the wharf to the dirt road beyond.”

1. What is the setting? (pg. 1) 2. Who is Kit Tyler? (pg. 1) 3. What does Mrs. Eaton do in the spring and summer months? (pg. 3) 4. What is meant by “proper housewife”? (pg. 3) Infer who decides what is proper. 5. Why did Kit’s spirits bob “like whitecaps in the harbor”? (pg. 3) 6. What did Kit do concerning the “useless twig in the current”? (pg. 5) 7. What did Nat mean when he snapped, “Then you might have thought for someone else”? 8. What is meant by the Barbados – heathen island – Puritan – Roundhead – King Charles exchange between Kit Tyler and John Holbrook? 9. According to some of the passengers, what is a sure sign of a witch

CHAPTER 2 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

daub pg. 10

“’Call this long?’ the sailor replied, swinging far out to daub the curving tail of the dolphin.”

eke pg. 10

“How could she eke out the patience that had been scarcely enough to see her through a few remaining hour?.”

furtively pg. 11

“Once or twice she had seen the father furtively slip the child an extra morsel from his plate, but he was plainly too spineless to stand up for her against his shrew of a wife.”

shrew pg. 11

“Once or twice she had seen the father furtively slip the child an extra morsel from his plate, but he was plainly too spineless to stand up for her against his shrew of a wife.”

punctilious caution pg. 11

“Captain Eaton treated her with punctilious caution.”

1. How many days did it take the Dolphin to go 43 miles? (pg. 10) 2. How captivated was Holbrook by his book? (pg. 4) 3. What was John Holbrook’s father’s occupation? (pg. 12) 4. What is the Accidence? (pg. 12) 5. Who is Reverend Bulkeley? (pg. 12) 6. Explain the process of walking up the river. (pg. 13) 7. What cargo will the Eatons not haul? (pg. 14-15) 8. How did Kit learn to read? (pg. 15-16) 9. What authors wrote Kit’s favorite plays? (pg. 16) 10. When it came time to leave the ship, what did Kit have to admit about her aunt and uncle? (pg. 17-18)

CHAPTER 3 1. What was Nat’s departing words to Kit? (pg. 20) Is there any grounds to think this could be foreshadowing? If so, explain why. 2. How did Kit’s aunt and uncle react to her arrival? 3. Why didn’t Kit write? What happened to her grandfather’s plantation? (pg. 22-23) 4. “The cold, measured words fell like so many stones into the quiet room.” To what is this statement referring? What does the diction, word choice, explain about the tone and mood of the scene? 5. “’Your grandfather was a King’s man, I reckon?’ ‘He was a Royalist, sir. Here in America are you not also subjects of King James?’” (pg. 24) What is a Royalist? Explain the political environment in the American Colonies in 1687.

CHAPTER 4 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

paduasoy pg. 26

“’Try it on,’ suggested Kit, seeing that Judith could scarcely take her eyes form a bright peacock blue paduasoy.”

frippery pg. 28

“’No one in my family has any use for such frippery,’ he[Matthew Wood] said coldly.”

vanity pg. 28

“This will be your home, since you have no other, but you will fit yourself to our ways and do no more to interrupt the work of the household or to turn the heads of my daughters with your vanity.”

1. “As the heavy door shut behind him, the cloud gradually lifted from the room.” (pg. 25) Actual cloud? Metaphorical cloud? Explain. 2. “’There’s no Scriptures saying Mother has to be the one to do all the caring…’” What does the Scripture say about caring for the poor and the widows? (pg. 25) [To get the full effect of the 1687 time period, use the King James Version of the Bible. 3. “Mercy’s laugh was a ripple of silver.” (pg. 25) Simile or metaphor? 4. Carding wool – what does that mean? (pg. 29) 5. What was the real reason for Kit’s immediate departure to Connecticut? (pg. 30) 6. Why wouldn’t Matthew allow the girls to keep the dresses that Kit gave them? What item was his one exception? Why? (pg. 28) 7. What was Judith’s grievance? (pg. 31)

CHAPTER 5 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

placating pg. 33

“Rachel laid a placating hand on her husband’s knee.”

auspiciously pg. 33

“This first venture outside her new home was not starting out auspiciously for Kit, but as they set out along the road she could ne repress her

curiosity and bouncing spirits.”

turret pg. 34

“The Meeting House stood in the center of the clearing, a square unpainted wooden structure, topped by a small turret.”

1. What church did Kit grow up attending? (pg. 33) What faith was the Wood family? How do these differ? 2. Who was in the Meeting that Kit knew? (pg. 35) 3. What does this question mean: “Have you set your cap for him?” (pg. 37) 4. What is a Sabbath house? (pg. 37) 5. What was the purpose of the Sabbath? (pg. 38)

CHAPTER 6 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

pompous pg. 41

“Tonight he appeared to be a shadow, hanging on every word from this pompous opinionated man.”

calamity pg. 41

“’…For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knoweth the ruin of them both?”

inexorably pg. 41

“As the husky voice scraped inexorably on, she ventured to raise her head a little, and was gratified to see that Judith too was peeking.”

fulsome pg. 41

“How Mercy must be shriveling at the fulsome words.”

hypocrite pg. 42

“’He is a hypocrite and a white sepulcher!’ Matthew’s fist crashed down on the table.”

supulcher pg. 42

“How Mercy must be shriveling at the fulsome words.”

1. How long had it taken to prepare the Thursday night meal for Reverend Bulkeley? (pg. 39)

2. What did Matthew Wood argue Gershom about? (pg. 40)

3. Look up Proverbs 24:21, referenced on page 41. Read it. Does it match the text?

4. What’s the “proper way” to “call on” a young lady [ask her out]? (pg. 42)

5. Who does Judith plan to marry? (pg. 42)

CHAPTER 7 1. Read the description of Ashley and his behavior on their “first date.” What do you think of that? (pg. 44)

2. Who was the king when Connecticut’s charter was created? Who is the king now? (pg. 45)

3. How do the Woods know that William Ashby is serious about courting Kit? (pg. 47)

4. What is one thing that Kit appreciated about William Ashby? (pg. 48)

CHAPTER 8 1. About what had the meadow reminded Kit? (pg. 49-50)

2. What is unique about Widow Tupper? (pg. 50)

3. What fever might have Mercy and her deceased brother had? (pg. 52-53)

4. What job had Kit been recommended to do? What skill did Kit have that allowed her such a position? (pg. 51-52)

5. What would the order of the Wood children be if all had lived?

CHAPTER 9 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

obstreperous pg. 57

“By chance she had chosen the three most obstreperous pupils in the school to be her thieves and robbers.”

1. What is a hornbook? (pg. 54)

2. Explain the following: “If only patience were contagious like mumps.” (pg. 55) Simile or metaphor?

3. What did Kit do differently with her teaching? (pg. 55) What experience in Kit’s background would cause her

teaching be different?

4. What is an indulgence? (pg. 56)

5. Why was Kit dismissed from the school? (pg. 58)

6. Where did Kit go after being dismissed? (Pg. 60)

7. “’So thee came to the meadow,’ said Hannah, patting the girl’s hand with her small gnarled claw, ‘What went

wrong this morning?’ she listened, nodding her head like a wisened old owl, as the tale of the morning’s woes

came pouring out.” (pg. 62) What does insight does this passage offer about Hannah? Simile or metaphor?

8. What message did Kit learn from Hannah Tupper and the flower? (pg. 63) Look up the word parable. Would

the flower story qualify as a parable? Why? Why not?

CHAPTER 10 1. What was the result of Kit’s visit to Mr. Kimberley?

2. Why did Aunt Rachel warn Kit not to talk about her visit with Hannah Tupper? (pg. 64)

3. When did Kit see Hannah Tupper again? (pg. 66)

4. How was Kit expected to teach school? (pg. 68)

5. Who showed up at Hannah’s while Kit was there? (pg. 69)

6. Hannah spins flax into thread to earn money. What bills does Hannah have to pay? (pg. 68-69)

7. What is the difference between Quakers and Puritans? (Look this up online – on your own.)

CHAPTER 11 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

docilely pg. 72

“Sighing, Kit glanced over the docilely bent heads of her charges toward the open doorway, and as she did so a sudden motion caught her attention.”

qualms pg. 76

“Kit shook off her qualms and set her own face towards home and another dull evening.”

adroit pg. 77

“Her purpose was only too apparent as she made adroit attempts to draw John Holbrook into the discussion.”

1. What did the books of New England contain? (pg. 72)

2. What does the following statement from Kit say about the difference in learning words and using words? “But most of these children would never even imagine the adventure that words could mean.” (pg. 72) 3. Which child was not allow to attend school, but did lay flowers on the doorstep fix Kit? (pg. 73) 4. Kit made arrangements with Prudence to meet her for reading lessons. Where did they meet? 5. Hannah’s had a cure for every ill that included blueberry cake, a kitten, and an invisible ingredient. What was the invisible ingredient? (pg. 76) 6. What is the irony in Goodwife Cruff’s name? (pg. 76) 7. Analyze the poem by Anne Bradstreet; writ e your analysis in the space below. (pg. 78) 8. During the reading of the poem, what had Kit discovered? (pg. 78-79)

CHAPTER 12 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

scythe pg. 82

“Kit followed him into the swamp and stopped to gather great armfuls of the long grasses that fell behind his scythe.”

heretic pg. 86

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

1. How were candles made? (pg. 80) 2. What did Kit help Nat do? (pg. 81-82) 3. Explain Nat’s comment, “There are two sides to Royalty, Kit.” (pg. 84) 4. What does Matthew Wood mean by, “She is a heretic, and she refuses to attend Meeting. She has no claim on your charity.” (pg. 86)

CHAPTER 13

WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

husking bee pg. 87

“’To think you’ve never been to a husking bee!’”

blithely pg. 87

“’Judith tossed her head. ‘I’ll find one, never you fear,’ she said blithely ‘I have my own methods.’”

wryly pg. 88

“Why did Judith have to remind her? Kit thought wryly.”

propitious pg. 88

“ …Kit has known that William was only waiting a propitious time to speak.”

1. What did John Holbrook tell Kit. (pg. 90)

2. What happens when John Holbrook shows up at the Wood household and states he plans to not attend the

husking bee? (pg. 92-93)

3. Based on what you read in chapter 13, what is John Holbrook’s character weakness?

4. Infer: What did the red-orange kerneled corn cob apparently signify?

CHAPTER 14 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

buoyancy pg. 95

“Every morning she woke with a new confidence and buoyancy she could not explain.”

1. What amazed Kit about the New England autumn? (pg. 95)

2. Why was the ship so important and exciting? (pg. 96)

3. What does Nat mean by “That order looks definite enough.”

4. What does the following sentence mean?

“To think I worried about that little bird. I might have known it would gobble up a nice fat partridge in no time.”

5. What upsetting news does Matthew Wood receive at the end of Chapter 14? (pg. 98)

CHAPTER 15

WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

free common wealth pg. 100

“’It means the death of our free commonwealth!’”

chargrined pg. 100

“Chargrined, Kit jerked at another dropped stitch.”

brusquely pg. 101

“Her husband brusquely waved away her comfort.”

grenadiers pg. 103

“More than seventy men there were, with two trumpeters and a band of grenadiers.”

cavalier pg. 103

“And Andros! He was a true cavalier, with his fine embroidered coat…”

1. Who seems to know and be able to communicate with William most of all? (pg. 101)

2. How did Judith know that William had come around to Matthew Wood’s way of thinking? (pg. 100)

3. What could Governor Andros’s presence in Connecticut mean for the residents? (pg. 101)

4. Connecticut was annexed with what other colony? (pg. 104)

5. What does William report to Matthew Wood? (pg. 104-106)

CHAPTER 16 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

unperturbed pg. 110

“’Well now, that is a shame, ‘ agreed Hannah, unperturbed.”

1. What is All Hallows Eve? (pg. 107)

2. “All Saints Day is a papist feast.” What does this mean? (pg. 107) [Look this up online on your own.]

3. What did the “rowdy band of rivermen” do? (pg. 107-108)

4. Why can’t the town celebrate Thanksgiving? (pg. 107)

5. Who did Kit find in the stocks? (pg. 108-109)

6. What did John Holbrook join? (pg. 114-115)

CHAPTER 17

WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

elastic vitality pg. 116

“Her wiry young body, nourished by the Barbados fruits and sunshine, had an elastic vitality, and she was back on her feet while Judith was still barely sitting up to sip her gruel.”

gruel pg. 116

“…while Judith was still barely sitting up to sip her gruel.”

1. What illness fell upon the children in Connecticut?

2. Who did the townspeople blame for the illnesses?

3. What did Kit do to help Hannah? (pg. 121-125)

CHAPTER 18 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

inveigled pg. 133

“Who had inveigled the child with promises, and thought of the hiding place under the willow tree…”

1. What had Matthew Wood come to think about Kit? (pg. 127)

2. Why was Kit locked up?

3. What memory did the Cruff’s have of Kit that would have supported the claim Kit was a witch?

4. What had happened to Goody Harrison and Good Johnson? Why? (pg. 132)

5. What memory warmed Kit as she was locked up? (pg. 133-134)

CHAPTER 19

WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

dubious pg. 135

“In spite of its dubious appearance it sent a faint curl of steam into the frosty air ….”

sundry witnesses pg. 136

“…who is accused by sundry witnesses of the practice of witchcraft.”

pandemonium pg. 140

“In the midst of the pandemonium Gershom Bulkeley quietly reached for the copybook,…”

1. What is Kit accused of being involved with? (pg. 136-137)

2. What did Goodman Whittesley accuse Kit of doing to his cattle.” (pg. 137)

3. Who speaks up to defend Kit? (pg. 138-139)

4. Who unexpectedly showed up with an unexpected witness? (pg. 140-141)

5. Explain the change in authority that occurred in the Cruff household the few moments after Prudence finished

speaking/reading. (pg. 144)

6. What was Adam Cruff’s argument of reason for withdrawing the charge? (pg. 144)

7. Goodwife Cruff wanted Nat arrested. Why? (pg. 144-145)

8. When dealing with people like Goodwife Cruff, people who look to point out fault and get other in trouble,

what do you do? (Use your own reasoning to answer.)

9. What reasoning did Matthew Wood give to keep Nat from being arrested? (pg. 145)

CHAPTER 20 WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

arduous pg. 152

“She resented the arduous preparation for the journey to Meeting…”

tremulously pg. 154

“’Can it be – John?’ she breathed tremulously.”

1. What did Kit think of snow? (pg. 149)

2. What did Kit decide about William? (pg. 149)

3. “’An almost intolerable loneliness wrapped Kit away from the joyous crowd.’” (pg. 150) Personification?

4. Who showed up unexpectedly at the Wood family’s door?

CHAPTER 21

WORD SENTENCE FROM TEXT MEANING

ketch pg. 160

“’Will he think it is enough – the new ketch?’”

1. What marriage intentions were announced in April? (pg. 155)

2. Kit intended to offer two of her dresses to Uncle Matthew. Why did she think he would accept them now?

(pg. 157)

3. What had Kit not realized about Nat? (pg. 159)

4. What had Kit named his Ketch? Why? (pg. 160-161) Would this be considered ironic?