Friday, March 28, 2014

What are Tituba's motives? |

Tituba is largely motivated by her fear of being punished.  When Abigail first accuses her of witchcraft, Reverend Parris threatens to "whip [her] to [her] death" and Mr. Putnam calls for her to "be taken and hanged."  Immediately after these threats, she confesses to being coerced by the Devil to work for him.


Tituba is also probably motivated by a desire to please Mr. Hale, the only person in this community who has ever treated...

Tituba is largely motivated by her fear of being punished.  When Abigail first accuses her of witchcraft, Reverend Parris threatens to "whip [her] to [her] death" and Mr. Putnam calls for her to "be taken and hanged."  Immediately after these threats, she confesses to being coerced by the Devil to work for him.


Tituba is also probably motivated by a desire to please Mr. Hale, the only person in this community who has ever treated her gently.  He "takes her hand," surprising her when he speaks "kindly" to her.  He tells her that she's "God's instrument" put into their hands to help them root out the evil in Salem; he says that she has a special purpose, and she likely wants to give him what he wants: a confession.


Finally, Tituba probably feels that this is an opportunity to scare Parris, a man who is obviously quite willing to abuse her.  She says that the Devil wanted her to kill Parris, that he's "no goodly man, [that he's a] mean man and no gentle man," and that the Devil bid Tituba to cut Parris's throat.  Such a threat might make him think twice before he beats her again.

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