Who is John Holbrook in The Witch of Blackbird Pond?

John Holbrook and Kit Tyler of The Witch of Blackbird Pond both travel to Wethersfield on the Dolphin. John is about the same age as Kit, and he is a Puritan interested in making a life for himself as a reverend. He is an intellectual, but he has had to study on his own, being unable to afford the fees to become formally educated. John's attachment to the Reverend Dr. Bulkeley holds him back from developing his personality and his own direction in life, and it is not until he separates himself from the reverend that he can become his own person. This struggle to be his own person manifests in the decisions John must make around his own marriage; though he loves Kit's cousin Mercy Wood, it is Mercy's strong-minded sister, Judith, who pursues John. By the end of the novel, John is able to stand on his own proverbial two feet and marry the woman he loves, proving he can actually be an independent person.

Who is John Holbrook in The Witch of Blackbird Pond?

Kit meets John Holbrook on the ship on the way to Wethersfield.  He is going to Wethersfield to study with Reverend Bulkeley.  He is kind to Kit, and she finds him mild but pleasant.  She has enough trouble on the journey to Wethersfield, especially when she jumps into the water to retrieve Prudence’s doll.

… John Holbrook had been about to warn her. There was something strange about this country of America, something that they all seemed to share and understand and she did not. She was only partially reassured when John said, with another of those surprising flashes of gentle humor, "I shall sit with you at supper, if I may. Just to make sure that no one's food gets curdled." (Ch. 1)

John Holbrook spends a lot of time with the Woods, and Judith eventually becomes sweet on him. It is not until later that the family realizes that it is not Judith he wants to see, but the quiet and also mild-mannered Mercy.  With Kit and Judith vying for every young man’s attention, everyone forgot about Mercy!

Those great listening eyes were fastened on the face of the young man bent over his book, and for one instant Mercy's whole heart was revealed. Mercy was in love with John Holbrook. Faster than thought the shadows clarified Mercy again. Kit glanced hastily around the circle. No one else had noticed. (Ch. 11) 

John Holbrook is a good friend to Kit in Wethersfield, even though she is “forever astonishing him.”  He is patient and gentle, and she likes listening to him read.  Despite this, Kit is not in love with him.  Judith is, but Mercy is the one whose affections are returned.  Eventually, Kit ends up with Nat and Judith with William Ashby (whom she loved before Holbrook came), and Mercy and John can marry.

How has John Holbrook changed since arriving in Wethersfield in The Witch of Blackbird Pond?

When John Holbrook first came to Wethersfield, he was hesitant to contradict Reverend Bulkeley.  Reverend Bulkeley was his teacher and mentor.  John Holbrook had moved to Wethersfield to study under him.  While both men had differing opinions, John Holbrook kept his ideas to himself.  Kit observed how John Holbrook acted around the Reverend Bulkeley:

With a flash of pleasure, she saw John Holbrook approaching, but her impulsive greeting froze as she saw that Reverend Bulkeley had the young man firmly by the elbow. In the shadow of his teacher, an extra staidness had fallen over the young divinity student, and his smile was lukewarm with dignity (The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Chapter 5).

John Holbrook was more serious around his mentor.  He appeared to have adopted many of the opinions of Dr. Bulkeley.  He admired Dr. Bulkeley and his vast knowledge.  John tried to align his beliefs with Dr. Bulkeley.  Finally, he could not do this any longer and he joined the militia as a "way of breaking with Dr. Bulkeley" (Chapter 16).  He was also timid around Matthew Wood.  When it was wrongly assumed that John wanted to marry Judith instead of Mercy, he was too fearful to speak up.  He chose to remain silent rather than speak to Matthew or tell the truth to Judith.

After John Holbrook returned from the militia, he changed in many ways.  He openly confessed his love and affection for Mercy.  He also became more outspoken about his views and opinions:

"Dr. Bulkeley is everything I ever thought him to be, a great scholar and a great gentleman," he explained. "In politics he is obeying his own conscience, but I think he is mistaken. We have come to an understanding. He will teach me theology and medicine, but I will think as I please" (Chapter 21).

What changes does Kit observe in the family after John Holbrook's arrival in The Witch of Blackbird Pond?

Before John Holbrook comes to call, William has already arrived at the Woods’ house to pay a call on Kit (chapter 7). Aunt Rachel thinks that has also come to see Kit, and suggests that they pop corn to eat during the visit. When the family sits together to snack on the popcorn, Kit looks around and makes observations about the family members and the guests. Both Judith and Mercy are bright and lively in John’s presence. What strikes Kit as remarkable is the effect that her aunt has on William, who is generally reticent. Aunt Rachel asks just the right questions to draw him out. The conversation flows smoothly until William and Uncle Mathew start to talk about colonial land policy.

Kit is astonished to realize how smart and knowledgeable William is. Because he had always been shy, she had concluded that he was “dim-witted.” She listens intently to his views on the likely dangers of opposing the king. He especially gains her respect by standing up to her uncle, who grows angry upon hearing his own views challenged. This anger only intensifies when he turns to Holbrook for support, and instead hears more arguments against his position. The presence of John and William together helps change Kit’s mind about the merits of both men.