John Holbrook Character Analysis in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

John Holbrook is a studious and deeply devout Puritan man who arrives in Wethersfield to study theology and medicine under Reverend Bulkeley. John respects Reverend Bulkeley for his knowledge, but he struggles to reconcile his (John’s) desire for Connecticut Colony’s self-governance with Reverend Bulkeley’s royalist politics. For the first half of the book, John meekly parrots Reverend Bulkeley’s ideas. But after Governor Andros arrives in Connecticut and begins to control the colony, John cuts ties with the Reverend by joining the militia. When he returns to Wethersfield, John is more certain of his beliefs, and he learns to respect the Reverend’s knowledge while disagreeing with his politics. From the beginning of the book, John frequently visits the Wood family. The family guesses that John is courting Judith, even though he never singles her out. Their assumptions may betray prejudice against Mercy; they never consider that John may be interested in Mercy, perhaps because they don’t think men would be attracted to Mercy because she isn’t as beautiful as Judith and she can’t use one of her legs. But John isn’t interested in Judith—he loves Mercy, and she loves him back. He and Mercy are quite similar in temperament and principles: they are both kind, hard-working, and pious people. The novel ends with the two of them happily planning their life together.

John Holbrook Quotes in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The The Witch of Blackbird Pond quotes below are all either spoken by John Holbrook or refer to John Holbrook. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Sometimes Kit wanted to stop her ears. Would she have to hear the price of every nail that went into those board, and every single nail the finest that money could buy? […]

Judith, however took a lively interest in such details. She had a flair for line and form and a definite mind of her own, and it was plain, to Kit at least, that as William planned his house Judith was comparing it, timber for timber, with the house she dreamed for herself. Her purpose was only too apparent as she made adroit attempts to draw John Holbrook into the discussion.

“I think you should have one of those new roofs, William,” she said now. […] “I think they look so distinguished, don’t you, John?”

Mercy laughed at John’s bewilderment. “I don’t believe John even notices there’s a roof over his head,” she teased gently.

Related Characters: Judith Wood (speaker), Mercy Wood (speaker), Katherine “Kit” Tyler, William Ashby, John Holbrook

Page Number and Citation: 119

Explanation and Analysis:

John Holbrook Character Timeline in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The timeline below shows where the character John Holbrook appears in The Witch of Blackbird Pond. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...are four new passengers joining the ship: Goodwife Cruff, her husband, their child, and a tall man with a wide-brimmed hat . (full context)

Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination Theme Icon

...leaving Kit feeling dejected. The only people who don’t seem upset with her are the man with the wide-brimmed hat and the Cruff’s child; the former smiles at her, and the latter looks at Kit... (full context)

...man in the wide-brimmed hat approaches her on the ship’s deck. He introduces himself as John Holbrook and tells her that he is also going to Wethersfield. He apologizes for the... (full context)

When Kit tells John Holbrook that she grew up in Barbados with her plantation-owning grandfather, he is shocked; he... (full context)

John and Kit exchange their plans: John is moving to Wethersfield to study with Reverend Bulkeley,... (full context)

...a witch—according to superstitions, only witches float, whereas “respectable” women sink. Kit is furious, and John looks concerned. Nat admits that Captain Eaton was able to calm down Goodwife Cruff by... (full context)

...Goodwife Cruff’s continued hostility, Captain Eaton and Nat are also still cold to her. Only John Holbrook is kind to Kit. (full context)

John spends almost all his time reading, sometimes even forgetting to eat. But as soon as... (full context)

Kit is embarrassed to hear John talk about being poor. She grew up surrounded by luxury and never once questioned it.... (full context)

...her aunt, her grandfather told her that Rachel had been beautiful and joyful. Hearing this, John suddenly warns her that “That was a great many years ago.” Kit doesn’t understand his... (full context)

...ruined their chance of being friends again. She tries to be glad that at least John Holbrook still wants to be friends with her, but she admits to herself that he... (full context)

...surprised Kit—she had never thought that reading was work. She had especially enjoyed reading plays. John flushes at her comment—the Puritans of New England do not read plays. As he tells... (full context)

Sometimes, Kit feels John pulling away from her, as though he is uncertain whether he wants to be friends.... (full context)

John Holbrook at last walks over to greet Kit. He is very serious with her, and... (full context)

When the Reverend Bulkeley joins John and the family, Rachel tells the Reverend that he must bring John to their house... (full context)

As they turn to leave, Judith asks Kit whether she has “set [her] cap” for John Holbrook, whom she finds handsome. Embarrassed, Kit denies Judith’s assertion. After a moment, Judith notes... (full context)

...if he’ll read aloud to them. The tension breaks. The Reverend suggests that his pupil, John, read instead. John is thrilled at this distinction. Observing John’s total admiration for the Reverend,... (full context)

Reverend Bulkeley instructs John to read a passage about remaining loyal to kings. Kit is surprised to find that... (full context)

After the Reverend and John leave, Matthew rages that he will never again invite the Reverend over for dinner. As... (full context)

...Judith. But Judith orders her to not say a word—she’s already decided that she’ll marry John. (full context)

...invite them to pop corn in the kitchen with the rest of the family and John Holbrook, who has stopped by. (full context)

When John interjects that the Reverend Bulkeley believes that the people of Connecticut misinterpret the charter, Matthew... (full context)

Shortly after this, John and William leave. Mostly relieved, Kit announces to the remaining women that tonight was certainly... (full context)

...she is sure that he would only be shocked—once again—at her behavior. She considers telling John, who frequently visits them now, but they never have any time alone. John is always... (full context)

...finds it dull, Judith takes a keen interest in it, and unsuccessfully tries to engage John in their conversation. The one thing they all enjoy, it seems, is hearing John read... (full context)

One night, while John is reading, Kit catches sight of Mercy gazing at John and realizes that Mercy loves... (full context)

...meadow. On the way there, Judith talks about her plans to make a move on John. Judith suspects that John hasn’t brought up marriage yet because he’s a poor student, but... (full context)

...back alone to the Woods’ house (Judith has already left the Meadows), Kit comes across John. Kit explains to him that she’s coming from Hannah’s house. Like everyone else, John looks... (full context)

...an argument in defense of Hannah, explaining how the lonely woman has helped her grow. John listens intently. When there’s a pause, John reminisces about how much their lives have changes... (full context)

Not wanting to think about William, Kit changes the subject by asking John whether he’ll be there at the husking bee. He hesitates and asks if Mercy will... (full context)

Suddenly realizing that John’s visits have all been for Mercy, Kit rejoices and urges him to tell Mercy that... (full context)

That night, Judith takes so long to get ready that John arrives at the house before the family has left. When John announces his intention to... (full context)

...Judith cries out to Matthew to “Say yes, now.” Smiling at Judith’s joy, Matthew gives John permission to marry Judith. Bewildered, John seems too shocked to speak. Kit watches in horror... (full context)

As Judith, John, Matthew, and Kit walk to the husking bee, Kit can’t stop thinking about how John... (full context)

When Kit arrives, she is surprised to find Judith crying—John is leaving Wethersfield to join a northern militia. Rachel suspects this is John’s way of... (full context)

A few days after John leaves, Judith becomes sick. Shortly thereafter, many of the town’s youth are struck by the... (full context)

At one point, William mentions that there had been “Indian raids” near where John is stationed. Judith and Mercy both look horrified. Rachel suggests that William and Kit move... (full context)

...Several of the men from the militia were killed; others were captured. They announce that John is one of the captives. Judith collapses in horror, and William drives her home. (full context)

...the day is interrupted by a knock at the door. Kit opens it to reveal John, ragged and starved. Without saying a word, he stumbles into the house and collapses into... (full context)

In April, John announces his intention to marry Mercy, and William announces his intention to marry Judith. John... (full context)

Whereas John and Mercy intend to live in the Woods’ house for a while, Judith happily prepares... (full context)

John Holbrook Character Analysis

John Holbrook Quotes in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Chapter 11 Quotes

John Holbrook Character Timeline in The Witch of Blackbird Pond