The Witch of Blackbird Pond Politics Quotes

How we cite our quotes:

Quote #4

“Surrender our charter and we lose all,” he thundered. “That charter was given to Connecticut by King Charles twenty-five years ago. It guarantees every right and privilege we have earned, the very ground we stand on and the laws we have made for ourselves. King James has no right to go back on his brother’s pledge.” (7.21)

Matthew will not submit to having his freedoms reneged by a different monarch. He values personal freedoms and liberties over allegiance to the crown.

Quote #5

“That is all a woman thinks about,” he scoffed “her own house. What use are your so-called rights of England? Nothing but a mockery. Everything we have built here in Connecticut will be wiped out.” (15.23)

How would you describe Uncle Matthew’s attitudes regarding politics and gender? Why were woman not thought to be able to discuss such matters?

Quote #6

And Andros! He was a true cavalier, with his fine embroidered coat, his commanding air, and the wealth of dark curls that flowed over his velvet collar. How elegantly he sat the saddle of his borrowed horse. Why, he was a gentleman, an office of the King’s Dragoons, a knight! Who were these common resentful farmers to dispute his royal right? He made their defiance seem childish. (15.36)

Governor Andros is a man that is closely tied to the powerful English crown. How does Kit view him here? What is significant about the way in which he is described? How does this differ from the way in which Uncle Matthew views the Governor?