Keturah "Kut" Witch, also known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond, is a fictional character from the novel "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" written by Elizabeth George Speare. The story is set in the late 17th century in the colony of Connecticut. Kut Witch is a young woman who has grown up in Barbados but finds herself living in Connecticut after her grandfather's death. She is described as having long, black hair and a defiant spirit. Despite her beauty and charm, she is considered an outsider in the Puritan community due to her non-conformity and free-spirited nature. Kut Witch is outspoken, independent, and stands up for what she believes in.
I’ve vowed never to say ‘OMFG’ again but what the hey? Pike is writing a sequel to The Last Vampire sextet! THIRST NO. 3: ETERNAL DAWN.
Hannah, an outcast from the Puritan settlement, quickly comprehends Kit s feelings of grief, loneliness and frustration, and a friendship forms between them in spite of her aunt and uncle forbidding the relationship. In an attempt to bond with her cousins Judith and Mercy Wood, Kit Tyler opens her seven traveling trunks, revealing her fashionable wardrobe to her cousins delight.
Kut Witch is outspoken, independent, and stands up for what she believes in. She is passionate about defending the rights of others and fighting against injustice. This is evident when she befriends and defends Hannah, an accused witch shunned by the community.
Kut witch of blackbird pind
It has been a long time since I read The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how well it held up over time. Quite deservedly, it was the Newbery winner in 1959 and it may have been my first "witch trial" novel, a sub-genre I still enjoy reading.
The story begins in April 1687 and Kit (Katherine) Tyler, 16, is sailing to her new home with her puritanical aunt and uncle in the colony of Wethersfield, Connecticut. Kit has grown up in her grandfather's lavish home in Barbados after the death of her parents. But now he is gone, too and there is no money to maintain the kind of life Kit had with him.
The only problem is that her aunt and uncle don't know she is coming, and, oh yes, Kit doesn't know they are Puritans. And to make matter worse, on the way to Wethersfield Kit manages to get on the wrong side of Goodwife Cruff when she jumps into the Connecticut River to retrieve a toy belonging to her daughter Prudence Cruff. Naturally, the first mutterings of witch are heard since Puritans believe that only witch's don't drown.
Of course, Kit's aunt and uncle take her in and to her delight, she discovers that she has two cousins - Judith and Mercy, both around her age. Kit tries to fit in but her impulsiveness keeps falling into disfavor by those around her. After she suggests that the kids in Mercy's "dame school" act out a Bible story, Kits runs off in tears after the minister harshly chastises her for it and finds herself in the great meadow where the witch of Blackbird Pond lives. The so-called witch is just a woman named Hannah Tupper, who had been run out of Massachusetts by Puritans for being a Quaker after being cruelly punished for her religion and is barely tolerated in Wethersfield by the Puritans there.
During a visit to Hannah, Kit also discovers that they have a mutual acquaintance - Nat Eaton, the son of the captain of the boat that brought Kit to Connecticut from Barbados. Though she is somewhat attracted to Nat, he seems more interested in helping Hannah.
Hannah's cottage is an attractive place to outcasts - soon Prudence Cruff is also a regular visitor. Not allowed to attend Mercy's "dame school" because her mother claims that she is too simple to learn, Kit secretly teaches her to read at Hannah's and discovers that Prudence often spends time there without her.
At the same time, Kit is being courted by William Ashby, a wealthy young man who could provide her with the kind of lifestyle she had enjoyed in Barbados. The only problem is that Kit isn't attracted to William and the reader can immediately see he is more suited to her cousin Judith.
Trouble begins when a serious illness befalls the residents of Wethersfield, causing some of the children to die. When Hannah is blamed for causing it using witchcraft, a band of citizens plan to go to her cottage, kill her and burn down her home. Kit hears about the plan, but she is busy taking care of the gravely ill Mercy. Can she do anything to save Hannah from certain death? And later, save herself from accusations of being a witch, too?
I read The Witch of Blackbird Pond on my own the first time and I thought it was a good story about a
| Original 1958 Cover |
The Witch of Blackbird Pond also provides a wonderful window into the culture and everyday life for the girls and women in this country in the 17th century, including education, courtship, marriage and running an efficient home and even ideas about friendship.
The author, Elizabeth George Speare, really researched her topic, making this one of the best historical fiction novels for young readers. She has skillfully blended in well known historical facts of the time and place well that we have planned a summer trip to Wethersfield to see it for ourselves.
This book is recommended for readers aged 10+
This book was purchased for my personal library
If you are thinking of using this book in the classroom or for homeschooling, here are some excellent guides that you might find useful:
This is book 1 of my 2013 Pre-1960 Classic Children's Books Reading Challenge hosted by Turning the Pages
This is book 4 of my 2013 Award Winning Reading Challenge hosted by Gathering Books
1. The Witch of Blackbird Pond…again. WOBP will always be a reoccurring theme in all my artistic endeavours. This is dedicated to all you WOBP fans out there who, like me, are scavenging the internet for more Kit/Nat images but come up short.
Throughout the story, Kut Witch faces many challenges and prejudices. She falls in love with a young man named Nat, who is an outcast like herself. Their relationship is met with resistance due to their differences in social status and religious beliefs. Despite the hardships she encounters, Kut Witch remains strong-willed and determined. She refuses to conform to the expectations of the community and stays true to herself. Her character evolves from a rebellious outsider to a respected member of the community, as she helps to bridge the gap between the Puritans and the outcasts. The character of Kut Witch serves as a symbol of independence, resilience, and the fight against conformity. She challenges societal norms and inspires others to do the same. Her story is a reminder that one should always stand up for what they believe in and embrace their true selves, even when faced with adversity..
Reviews for "Kuta's Immortality: Examining the Witch's Longevity in the World of Blackbird Pind"
1. Jennifer - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Kut Witch of Blackbird Pind" based on all the hype, but I was sorely disappointed. The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. I struggled to connect with any of them and found myself not caring about their outcomes. Additionally, the pacing was off, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Kut Witch of Blackbird Pind" was one of the most confusing and frustrating books I've ever read. The plot was convoluted, and the writing style made it difficult to follow. I often had to reread paragraphs multiple times just to understand what was happening. The author seemed more focused on creating a mystical atmosphere than crafting a coherent story. The lack of clear explanations and resolution left me feeling unsatisfied. I gave up on this book halfway through, as it simply wasn't worth the time and effort.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had heard so many positive things about "Kut Witch of Blackbird Pind," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype for me. While the concept was intriguing, the execution fell flat. The characters were poorly developed, and their motivations were unclear. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to engage with the story. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with long stretches of boredom interspersed with moments that were supposed to be exciting but ended up being anticlimactic. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book.