Tituba
Tituba is a significant yet often overlooked character in The Crucible. She is both a catalyst for the Salem witch trials and a representation of marginalized voices in Puritan society. As Reverend Parris's enslaved woman from Barbados, Tituba occupies a vulnerable position within Salem, where she is both mistrusted and scapegoated due to her race, cultural background, and lack of social power.
Tituba's involvement in the forest ritual with Abigail, Betty, and the other girls—though mainly out of a desire to please them—makes her an easy target when the townspeople seek someone to blame for Betty's illness and the subsequent fears of witchcraft. Under intense pressure and threat of violence, Tituba confesses to witchcraft, although it is unlikely she truly believes in the accusations. She begins naming others to shift attention from herself, inadvertently fueling the hysteria that spirals into widespread accusations.
Though she holds little power, Tituba's coerced confession sets a precedent for the mass accusations that follow, embodying Arthur Miller's critique of how social inequality and racial bias can contribute to injustice within a community.
Expert Q&A
In The Crucible, what does Hale want Tituba to confess and how does he achieve this?
Reverend Hale wants Tituba to confess to witchcraft and name others involved. Initially objective, Hale's approach becomes more accusatory as he questions her. Under pressure from Hale, Reverend Parris, and Thomas Putnam, who threaten her, Tituba eventually confesses, claiming to have seen the Devil and naming others. This coerced confession sparks a chain reaction of accusations, beginning with Abigail and Betty, leading to the Salem witch trials' tragic events.
In which part of The Crucible does Tituba believe the devil will take her?
In Act 4 of "The Crucible," Tituba believes the devil will take her when she exclaims, "Take me home, Devil! Take me home!" Having been imprisoned with Sarah Good, Tituba's mental state has deteriorated, reflecting the chaos and loss the Salem witch trials caused. Her belief in the devil's arrival symbolizes her guilt for accusing others and the town's moral decline during the trials.
Why does Tituba say, "Oh how many times he told me to kill you, Mr. Parris...but I tell him No! I don't hate that man"?
Tituba's statement reflects her strategic attempt to protect herself from persecution during the Salem witch trials. As a black slave from Barbados, she was an easy target for accusations of witchcraft. By claiming the devil urged her to kill Reverend Parris but asserting she refused, Tituba aims to gain Parris's sympathy, portraying herself as loyal and God-fearing, thus avoiding harsher punishment.
In The Crucible, is Tituba considered a dynamic or static character?
Tituba is considered a static character in "The Crucible." Her role primarily highlights the cultural clash and moral relativity regarding witchcraft in Salem. Her characteristics, such as being an outsider with foreign beliefs and associations with Voodoo, remain unchanged throughout the play. Despite appearing hysterical in the final act, this does not represent a significant change, as she is consistently portrayed as fearful and marginalized from the beginning.
How is the name "Tituba" pronounced in The Crucible?
In "The Crucible," the name "Tituba" is likely pronounced as "Ti-too-bah," with the stress on the second syllable. Tituba, originating from Barbados, is a slave in Salem known for her knowledge of magic and charms. This pronunciation aligns with her cultural background and the phonetic structure of her name, though exact pronunciation may vary.
Why does Tituba and the girls start naming "witches" in The Crucible?
In The Crucible, Tituba begins naming "witches" because she fears for her life and realizes the benefits of making someone else a scapegoat. Tituba has no other option than to give the men what they want and places the blame on Sarah Good and Goody Osburn. Abigail and Betty join in because they also desire to protect themselves and recognize the way the men exalt Tituba for confessing.
Why is Tituba jailed and why does she lose her sanity in The Crucible?
Tituba is jailed in The Crucible after being accused of witchcraft by Abigail, who shifts blame onto her to avoid punishment. Under threat of violence, Tituba confesses to witchcraft, which leads to imprisonment due to Salem's flawed logic that confessions result in jail while denials lead to execution. Her loss of sanity by Act III could be due to prolonged harsh conditions, a strategic act, or serve as comic relief amid the play's tension.
How does Tituba react to Betty's condition in The Crucible?
Tituba is horrified by the accusations against her regarding Betty's condition, insisting she loves Betty and would never harm children. Despite knowing Betty's condition is not supernatural, Tituba, as a vulnerable slave, is coerced into confessing to witchcraft and implicating others under pressure from Reverend Hale and Abigail. Her fear and false confession contribute to the hysteria and accusations that follow, as both Abigail and Betty start accusing others of witchcraft.
Tituba's Character, Role, Motivations, and Treatment in The Crucible
In The Crucible, Tituba's character is portrayed as a naive and compassionate slave from Barbados, caught in the hysteria of Salem's witch trials. Her initial motivations for lying and naming others as witches stem from fear of punishment and coercion by figures like Abigail and Reverend Hale. Despite her lack of understanding of Puritan norms, Tituba is pressured into confessing to witchcraft to save herself, accusing others under duress. Her role highlights the racial and social dynamics of the time, illustrating how marginalized individuals were scapegoated during the trials.
Tituba's initial response to Hale's witchcraft accusation in The Crucible
Tituba initially responds to Hale's witchcraft accusation with fear and denial. She is terrified of the consequences and adamantly denies any involvement in witchcraft, insisting on her innocence. However, under pressure and threats, she eventually confesses to avoid punishment, naming others in the community as witches to save herself.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
