The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21
Themes
All Themes Puritan Hypocrisy Love, Values, and Attraction Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination Home and Belonging Sexism
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Katherine “Kit” Tyler Hannah Tupper Nathaniel “Nat” Eaton Matthew Wood Rachel Wood Mercy Wood Judith Wood William Ashby John Holbrook Prudence Goodwife Cruff Goodman Cruff Grandfather (Sir Francis Tyler) Reverend Bulkeley King James Governor Andros John Woodbridge Mr. Eleazer Kimberley Thomas Tupper The Constable The Constable’s Wife Captain Talcott Captain Eaton Mrs. Eaton Thankful Peabody
Terms
All Terms Puritanism Quakers Husking Bee
Symbols
All Symbols Great Meadows Hannah’s Cats
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The Witch of Blackbird Pond

by

Elizabeth George Speare
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King James Character Analysis

King James II was the real-life king of England from 1685 to 1688. In The Witch of Blackbird Pond, King James wants to solidify and extend his control of the American colonies. So, he appoints Governor Andros (another real-life historical figure) as the royal governor of several New England colonies, thereby overriding the local governments that the colonists have constructed for themselves. Many colonists—such as Matthew Wood—resent this, as they want to maintain the liberties that their local governments afford them. This leads to political tensions between colonists. Some people (like Reverend Bulkeley) believe that the King should maintain his power over the colonies, whereas others (like Matthew) believe that the colonies should govern themselves.

King James Quotes in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The The Witch of Blackbird Pond quotes below are all either spoken by King James or refer to King James. 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:
Puritan Hypocrisy Theme Icon
).
Chapter 6 Quotes

“I am mistaken,” Matthew Wood challenged him, “because I do not favor knuckling under to this new King’s governor?”

“Governor Andros was appointed by King James. Massachusetts has recognized that.”

“Well, we here in Connecticut will never recognize it—never! Do you think we have labored and sacrificed all these years to build up a free government only to hand it over now without a murmur?”

Related Characters: Matthew Wood (speaker), Reverend Bulkeley (speaker), King James, Governor Andros
Puritan Hypocrisy Theme Icon
Page Number: 61
Explanation and Analysis:
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King James Quotes in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The The Witch of Blackbird Pond quotes below are all either spoken by King James or refer to King James. 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:
Puritan Hypocrisy Theme Icon
).
Chapter 6 Quotes

“I am mistaken,” Matthew Wood challenged him, “because I do not favor knuckling under to this new King’s governor?”

“Governor Andros was appointed by King James. Massachusetts has recognized that.”

“Well, we here in Connecticut will never recognize it—never! Do you think we have labored and sacrificed all these years to build up a free government only to hand it over now without a murmur?”

Related Characters: Matthew Wood (speaker), Reverend Bulkeley (speaker), King James, Governor Andros
Puritan Hypocrisy Theme Icon
Page Number: 61
Explanation and Analysis:
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