The Witch of Blackbird Pond

by

Elizabeth George Speare

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Mr. Eleazer Kimberley Character Analysis

Mr. Eleazer Kimberley is the schoolmaster in Wethersfield. He has authority over Kit and Mercy, who both teach in the town. He is outraged when he finds out that Kit has the children acting out scenes from the Bible. Puritans believed that acting in plays was sinful, so instead of trying to understand Kit’s different perspective, Mr. Kimberley fires Kit on the spot. He assumes she is a bad teacher because she is using a technique that his religion forbids. This shows his prejudice: he condemns Kit simply because she has different beliefs and ideas than he has. When Mr. Kimberley fires Kit, she is distraught and runs crying to the Great Meadows. There, she meets Hannah for the first time. After her conversation with Hannah, Kit returns to Mr. Kimberley and convinces him to give her another chance at teaching.
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Mr. Eleazer Kimberley Character Timeline in The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Eleazer Kimberley appears in The Witch of Blackbird Pond. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9
Love, Values, and Attraction Theme Icon
Suddenly, John Woodbridge and Mr. Eleazer Kimberley , the school master, interrupt the class. Mr. Kimberley breaks up the fight and then... (full context)
Love, Values, and Attraction Theme Icon
Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination Theme Icon
Mr. Kimberley is horrified that Kit would have the children put on a play using the Bible.... (full context)
Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination Theme Icon
...calm Kit and tell her what to do. With newfound confidence, Kit marches up to Mr. Kimberley ’s house and knocks his door. (full context)
Chapter 10
Difference, Prejudice, and Discrimination Theme Icon
Kit tells Mercy and Rachel that she spoke to Mr. Kimberley , and that he changed his mind—Kit will have another chance at teaching. Mercy is... (full context)