The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Week 7: Chapters 18–19 — Illness and Crisis
Read Chapters 18–19 of The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
Previewing Week 7 of The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Read 3 of 8 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 12-week guide when you’re ready.
A wave of illness sweeps through Wethersfield, and the community's fear — already smoldering — finds a target: the old woman in the meadow and the girl who visits her.
Discussion Questions
8 questions1.An epidemic (fever or sickness) strikes Wethersfield. How does the community's response to the illness reveal the limits of their theological framework — specifically, their tendency to interpret suffering as divine punishment for communal sin?
2.Mercy falls gravely ill, and the Wood household is plunged into fear and exhaustion. How does this crisis change Kit's role in the household and what does it reveal about her capacity for genuine sacrifice?
3.As Mercy fights for her life, Kit slips away to Hannah's cottage for comfort and help. What does this choice say about the depth of Kit's friendship with Hannah — and what is the terrible price of that visit?