46 pages • 1 hour read
Maryse CondéI, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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 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.