logo

46 pages 1 hour read

I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Maryse Condé

I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992
Book Details
Pages

246

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Salem, Massachusetts • 1690s

Publication Year

1992

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem by Maryse Condé recounts the harrowing journey of Tituba, beginning with her traumatic birth on a slave ship and witnessing her mother's execution in Barbados. After mastering spiritual and herbal healing under Mama Yaya’s guidance, Tituba falls in love with John Indian. They are sold to Reverend Samuel Parris and taken to Salem, where Tituba's healing abilities lead to accusations of witchcraft. Imprisoned, she meets Hester Prynne, and later, upon release, returns to Barbados and becomes entangled in a slave rebellion, ultimately facing execution. Tituba's spirit persists, narrating continued struggles against oppression. The narrative involves graphic depictions of violence and sexual assault.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Dark

Emotional

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

12,112 ratings

76%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Maryse Condé's I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem offers a poignant retelling of the Salem witch trials through the eyes of an enslaved woman. Critics commend Condé’s vivid prose and portrayal of racial and gender injustices. Some argue the narrative occasionally lacks historical accuracy and coherence, but overall it is hailed for its powerful, imaginative storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem?

A reader who enjoys exploring themes of racial injustice, feminist perspectives, and historical fiction would be captivated by Maryse Condé's I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved or Alice Walker's The Color Purple will appreciate Condé's rich storytelling and complex characters.

4.1

12,112 ratings

76%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

Tituba

A historical figure reimagined in the narrative, known for being intertwined with the Salem witch trials and characterized as a sensual and spiritual woman guided by her desire despite her encounters with violent men.

Tituba's mother who plays a formative role in understanding Tituba's beginnings, her life marked by significant trauma and forming part of the trio of guiding spirits.

Tituba's adopted father, providing a substantial source of love and guidance for her throughout the book, and also part of the trio of spirits influencing her.

Tituba's spiritual mentor and guide, who shapes her understanding of witchcraft and forms part of the spiritual trio that leads her throughout life.

A charming figure who significantly influences Tituba's choices with his charisma, ultimately illustrating themes of possession and subjugation in relationships.

A character who briefly enters Tituba's life, leaving a lasting impact through her ominous threat and Tituba’s struggle with the morality of using her powers for harm.

A devout Puritan minister associated with the Salem witch trials, representing the oppressive and hypocritical nature of Puritan society.

The wife of Samuel Parris, sharing a connection with Tituba through their mutual suffering and highlighting shared themes of victimization.

Young girls who trigger the witch trial hysteria, their actions embodying the dangers of cultural indoctrination and narrow-mindedness.

A character who shares a cell with Tituba, serving as a confidante and representing themes of feminism and understanding of personal freedom.

A Jewish merchant who becomes a caretaker and lover for Tituba, helping explore themes of prejudice and cross-cultural connections.

Leader of a maroon community and a complex figure in Tituba's life, embodying the contrast between affection and betrayal.

Tituba's lover and symbolic son, representing love, freedom, and an embodiment of the life and desires Tituba treasures beyond societal constraints.

Book Details
Pages

246

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Salem, Massachusetts • 1690s

Publication Year

1992

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.