Characters
Many of the Puritans' names are qualities such as "Mercy," "Thankful," and "Grace," because the parents wanted these character traits to influence their children.
- Katherine Tyler: Better known as "Kit," she is the protagonist, an independent, rebellious, strong-willed, and kind girl from Barbados who lived with her grandfather before he died and struggles to find a new identity in Wethersfield. She ends up marrying Nat Eaton.
- Hannah Tupper: A Quaker and outcast who is often rumored to be a witch.
- Nathaniel Eaton: Called "Nat" by most. He is Captain Eaton's son, and also Kit Tyler's true love and eventual husband.
- Rachel Wood: Kit's gentle aunt, the timid wife of Matthew Wood.
- Matthew Wood: Kit's strict Anti-Royalist uncle, an independent man. Husband of Rachel Wood.
- Mercy Wood: Kit's compassionate and patient cousin, sister of Judith, daughter of Matthew and Rachel Wood, a cripple. Marries John Holbrook.
- Judith Wood: Kit's haughty cousin, sister of Mercy, daughter of Matthew and Rachel Wood. Marries William Ashby.
- William Ashby: Kit's rich suitor, ends up marrying Judith.
- John Holbrook: Student of Dr. Gershom Bulkely, who teaches him about theology, religion, and medicine, who is absorbed in learning, considers his teacher the highest of them all, and often doesn't think for himself. Marries Mercy.
- Dr. Gershom Bulkeley: Royalist minister (historical figure), teacher of John Holbrook.
- Goodwife Cruff: Narrow-minded local woman who accuses Kit of being a witch. Mother of Prudence Cruff.
- Goodman Adam Cruff: Goodwife Cruff's meek husband and father of Prudence Cruff.
- Prudence Cruff: Cruff's young, mistreated daughter who befriends Kit.
- Captain Eaton: Captain of the Dolphin and Nat's father.
- Mistress Eaton: Captain Eaton's wife.
- Eleazer Kimberly: Puritan schoolmaster (historical figure).
- Governor Edmund Andros: Governor of the Dominion of New England (including Connecticut), an officer of the King's Dragoons, and a knight (historical figure).
- Captain Samuel Talcott: Magistrate (historical figure).
Read more about this topic: The Witch Of Blackbird Pond
Famous quotes containing the word characters:
“Socialist writers are made of sterner stuff than those who only let their characters steeplechase through trouble in order to come out first in the happy ending of moral uplift.”
—Christina Stead (1902–1983)
“To marry a man out of pity is folly; and, if you think you are going to influence the kind of fellow who has “never had a chance, poor devil,” you are profoundly mistaken. One can only influence the strong characters in life, not the weak; and it is the height of vanity to suppose that you can make an honest man of anyone.”
—Margot Asquith (1864–1945)
“Animals are stylized characters in a kind of old saga—stylized because even the most acute of them have little leeway as they play out their parts.”
—Edward Hoagland (b. 1932)