Chloe Adams
In the 1958 children's novel, 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond', by Elizabeth George Speare, candles play a significant role in a pivotal scene involving the character Nat, who is accused of witchcraft and punished for his involvement in a prank. The incident occurs when Nat and his friends place lanterns made from pumpkin heads with candles inside and unholy faces carved into them in the windows of William Ashby's house. This act is considered blasphemous by the Puritans, leading to the accusation of witchcraft and the use of candles in the prank adds an eerie and supernatural dimension to the scene, contributing to the overall atmosphere of suspicion and fear that permeates the novel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Nat being put in the stocks | He and some other sailors from his ship "illuminated" the house of William Ashby |
| What is meant by "illuminated" | They put lanterns in the window frames that were waiting for new panes. |
| What were the lanterns made of | Pumpkin heads, with candles inside, and unholy faces cut into the sides to show the light |
| Why were the faces considered unholy | The outside of the pumpkins were carved and Puritans regarded these carved faces as "blasphemous" or the work of the Devil |
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What You'll Learn
Carving pumpkins into lanterns
In the novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond, the character Nat is punished for placing lanterns made from pumpkins, known as "pumpkin heads", in the windows of William Ashby's house. The pumpkins had candles inside and were carved with faces that were considered "blasphemous" and "the work of the Devil" by the Puritans.
To carve pumpkins into lanterns, follow these steps:
Choose a pumpkin: Select a pumpkin that is fresh and firm with a smooth, evenly coloured surface. Avoid pumpkins with soft spots or bruises.
Cut the lid: Use a sharp knife to cut a circular lid around the stem of the pumpkin. Cut at a slight angle to create a keyhole shape, which will make it easier to replace the lid later. Remove the lid and set it aside.
Scoop out the insides: Use a large spoon or your hands to scoop out the seeds and stringy fibres from the inside of the pumpkin. Be sure to scrape the walls of the pumpkin to make them thinner and easier to carve.
Draw your design: Use a pencil to sketch a basic design on the front of the pumpkin. Keep it simple, focusing on large shapes and features.
Carve the design: Use a small, sharp knife to carefully cut along the lines of your design. Push out the cut pieces with your fingers or a spoon. If your design includes small details, use a pumpkin carving kit or linoleum cutter for more precision.
Add a source of light: Place a candle inside the pumpkin, or use a battery-operated light for a safer option. Light the candle or turn on the battery-operated light and replace the lid.
By following these steps, you can create your own pumpkin lanterns, similar to those described in The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Just be sure to respect cultural and religious beliefs when creating and displaying your lanterns, as the novel highlights the importance of understanding and tolerance.
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Pumpkins as the devil's invention
In the novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond, pumpkins are described as the "devil's invention" by Puritan society. This belief is illustrated in a scene where Nat, the captain's son, is punished for placing lanterns made from pumpkin heads with candles inside and "unholy faces" carved on the outside into the windows of William Ashby's house. The Puritan community considers these carved pumpkins to be "blasphemous" and associates them with the Devil's work.
The use of pumpkins as lanterns, often called "jack-o'-lanterns," has a long history and has been associated with various cultural and religious traditions. In the context of The Witch of Blackbird Pond, which is set in late 17th-century New England, the Puritan community's beliefs and superstitions play a significant role in shaping the plot and character interactions.
The Puritan society in the novel holds strict religious beliefs and often views deviations from their interpretation of Christianity as sinful or associated with the Devil. The carving of "unholy faces" on pumpkins challenges their notion of appropriate religious imagery and is seen as an invitation to evil forces.
The association of pumpkins with the Devil or evil spirits is not unique to The Witch of Blackbird Pond but has been a recurring theme in Western culture. The practice of creating jack-o'-lanterns from pumpkins is often linked to Halloween traditions and has been influenced by various folklore and superstitions.
In conclusion, the reference to pumpkins as the "devil's invention" in The Witch of Blackbird Pond reflects the Puritan community's religious beliefs and their interpretation of acceptable behavior. The use of pumpkins as lanterns with carved faces was considered a blasphemous act, inviting the influence of evil forces. This belief system adds tension and conflict to the narrative, highlighting the challenges faced by the characters in navigating their religious and social norms.
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Illuminating houses with candles
In the novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond, candles play a significant role in illuminating houses, specifically in a scene where Nat, the captain's son, is punished for his prank of "illuminating" the house of William Ashby. On All Saints' Day, which the Puritans consider a pagan feast, Nat places lanterns made of pumpkin heads with candles inside in the window frames of William Ashby's house. The pumpkins are carved with faces that are deemed "blasphemous" and the work of the Devil by the Puritan community. This act of "illumination" is described as a harmless prank by some, but it leads to Nat being placed in the stocks as punishment.
The use of candles within the context of the story highlights the importance of lighting in the 17th century, a time when electricity was not yet available. Candles would have been a primary source of illumination, especially during the night or in dark spaces. The placement of candles within the carved pumpkins creates a spooky effect, contributing to the perception of the prank as unholy or blasphemous by the Puritans.
In the late 17th century, when the story is set, candles were typically made from beeswax or tallow, which is animal fat. The process of making candles involved melting the wax or fat and pouring it into a mould around a wick. The wick, typically made of braided cotton or linen, would be left slightly exposed so it could be lit.
While the specific details of candle-making are not described in the novel, it is safe to assume that the characters would have had access to candles made using similar methods. They would likely have been a common household item, used for illumination, warmth, and various other purposes.
The illumination of William Ashby's house with candles and lanterns, therefore, reflects the practical use of candles for lighting in the 17th century while also serving as a symbolic element in the story, representing the conflict between the Puritan community's strict religious beliefs and the playful, harmless intentions of Nat's prank.
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The use of candles in pranks
In The Witch of Blackbird Pond, candles are used in a prank by Nat and two of his friends. They place lanterns made of pumpkins with candles inside in the window frames of William Ashby's house. The prank takes place on All Saints' Day, which the Puritans consider a pagan feast. The pumpkins are carved with faces that are considered "blasphemous" and "the devil's work" by the Puritan community. This prank results in Nat being punished and put in the stocks.
The use of candles in this prank adds to the eerie and rebellious nature of the act. The flickering candlelight shining through the carved pumpkin faces would have created an unnerving display, especially to the strict Puritan community who viewed it as a blasphemous act.
Candles, being one of the main sources of light during the time the story is set, would have been a common item for the characters to use. However, in this case, the candles are used in a mischievous and playful manner, contributing to the light-hearted nature of the prank.
The choice of candles as a light source for the prank also adds to the drama and impact of the scene. The warm, glowing light of the candles, in contrast with the dark night, would have made the pumpkins with their carved faces even more noticeable and striking.
Overall, the use of candles in this prank highlights the playful and rebellious nature of the characters involved, while also contributing to the dramatic impact of the scene and providing an insight into the cultural and religious beliefs of the Puritan community.
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Candles and the devil's association
In Elizabeth George Speare's novel, 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond', candles are mentioned in a few scenes, some of which allude to the devil's association.
In one instance, Kit, the protagonist, is accused of being a witch due to her swimming skills, considered a stigma associated with witchcraft in 17th-century New England. Later, Kit is arrested on charges of witchcraft for teaching Prudence to read, but is eventually exonerated when Prudence testifies and demonstrates her literacy by reading from the Bible. This dispels the notion of witchcraft, as it would be counterintuitive for the devil to allow a child to use the Bible against herself.
Candles are specifically mentioned in a scene where Nat, the captain's son, and a friend of Kit, is punished for his involvement in a prank. On All Saints' Day, which the Puritans view as a pagan feast, Nat and his friends place lanterns made of pumpkin heads with candles inside and carved into unholy faces in the windows of William Ashby's house. The Puritan community, including Kit's Uncle Matthew, considers these faces blasphemous and the work of the Devil. As a result, Nat is placed in the stocks as punishment.
The disappearance of the charter, a document guaranteeing the rights and privileges of the people of Connecticut, is also briefly associated with the devil. During a meeting, a draft blows out the candles, and in the darkness, the charter vanishes. While some characters attribute its disappearance to a witch, others suggest it was taken by Governor Andros to assume control of the colony.
In another scene, Kit and her friend Hannah, who is also accused of being a witch, are teaching Prudence to read in Hannah's home. When a mob comes to ransack her home and burn it down, they find evidence of Kit's presence, leading to her arrest for witchcraft. However, she is eventually cleared of the charges.
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Frequently asked questions
The candles in 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond' were made from lanterns made out of pumpkin heads with candles inside.
Nat and two of his friends made the candles.
The candles were placed in the windows of William Ashby's house, which did not yet have window panes.
The pumpkins were carved into faces that were considered "blasphemous" and "the devil's invention" by the Puritans.
