Tituba
Tituba is a indentured servant from Barbados who serves Parris. Tituba came under heavy suspicion when she was caught in the forest with Abigail and several other girls dancing while Tituba was singing and conjuring up spirits. Before this event we can assume that she was a nameless faceless servant girl. Later in the story it is also revealed that Anne Putnam requested that Tituba ask the devil who is killing her children which puts Tituba in an even worse position . When Abigail is being accused of witchcraft by the other fellow village people she immediately accuse Tituba of forcing her to do witchcraft and to drink blood. After this accusation, Tituba was brought in for questioning where she admits to her speaking to the devil as well as the devil provoking her to kill Reverend Parris and gain her freedom.
Says: "oh how many times he bid me to kill you, Mr. Parris" (44)
|
This quote shows that Tituba is under the influence of the devil and that she is dangerous to the rest of the village. Luckily she has fought against the urge to kill Mr. Parris but maybe if she is provoked by the "evil spirits" long enough she could be very dangerous or she could kill someone.
|
Thoughts:
|
Effects on Others: Mrs. Putnam enters with Tituba and instantly Abigail points at Tituba
Abigail: "She made me do it!! She made Betty do it!" |
Tituba the one of the centers of attention in the book because of her affiliation with Abigail and the rest of the girls. Tituba is being blamed for witchcraft which is a big deal in the village. Her influence is clearly negative because Abigail is blaming her for witchcraft.
|
Actions: terrified, falls to her knees: No, no, don't hang Tituba! I tell him i don't desire to work for him, sir.
|
She is clearly afraid of being hanged. She has spoken to the devil and has told Parris and Hale about it. Her actions show that she doesn't really mean to cause much damage in the village. She does not want to be punished for something she claims she can't control.
|
Looks: "the door opens, and his Negro slaves enters. Tituba is in her forties. Parris brough her with from Barbados, where he spent some years as a merchant before entering the ministry." (7)
|
Tituba is not too old but she is old enough to be placed under suspicion of being a witch. Really, in the village any age is an age to be accused of being a witch but because she is an adult she is primarily looked at. Her accent probably draws some attention because she is a foreigner not to mention the fact that she is also a servant.
|