I would truly recommend I, Tituba Black Witch of Salem to anyone who likes stories/books with drama. I can’t help but feel that Tituba’s life was a tragic one. So many times in the story she would fall in love with men who eventually would lead her to her own downfall. After all of her failed attempts at trying to find a man who would love her, you would have thought that Tituba would finally heed Mama Yaya and Abena warnings about men, but unfortunately no. She falls in love again and this time with a young boy named Iphigene. Iphigene would be the man who would ultimately lead Tituba to her death. The two of them was planning a rebellion against the plantation owners in Barbados, numerous times in the final chapter Tituba would get a bad feeling about the rebellion and would try to warn Iphigene about it but he wouldn’t listen. Because of his ignorance the cabin they were staying in was set in fire, they escaped the flaming cabin only to found out that they were surrounded by soldiers (who had known about their plan), at last Tituba’s life who come to an end.

It interesting to see how both Iphigene and Christopher have pivotal roles in the rebellion against the Caucasians and convince Tituba to join. They are also involved in a relationship with Tituba while she tries desperately to adjust back to her homeland. In the end they both contribute to her demise by manipulating her and ultimately lose their lives in the process. This all stems from Tituba’s sexual desires which she must fulfill that seem to only bring her pain and suffering.

Additionally, a theme that may be potentially important is the child-mother relationship. Tituba’s encounter with the dead rabbit and the two unborn kits. This symbolizes Tituba and herself, due to her actions she will never see her children.

After reading the ending I found it to be exactly what I thought would happen just because of how much the spirits of mama yaya, her mother and Yao alluded too it. Once Tituba hears of Iphigene’s plan and as the day grows closer, she asks the spirits if it will work or what would happen and they respond by saying it is not yet their time for freedom and that soon they will meet. When I read this I knew Tituba was soon going to die and that the agreement they had come too with Christopher on not ratting out the rioters would come back to hurt them. In a way I was happy for Tituba because she finally gets to reunite with her family and her cruel world would come to an end but I felt bad because she finally came to accept and embrace the fact she was having a baby. Tituba wanted to go through with bringing this human being to life this time but unfortunately she wasnt able too even after all the changed she made for herself and the baby, such as eating better and taking care of her body more.

As I’ve approached the ending of the book I became eager to know if Tituba would finally be on the road of peace. It was truly a rough and long journey throughout the book with Tituba. I especially liked the parts in the book were Tituba would conversate with us the readers. She would ask us questions about if what she thinks is on our mind is correct. Tituba had such a long, bitter journey through life. It really gave me a new insight on a slaves journey through life, and how non-stop it was with endless suffering. In these few chapters I liked the way Tituba claimed to finally have dropped her interest in men who has done nothing beneficial for her. Tituba often leans onto her spirits, Abena, and Mama YaYa her mothers, Hester and Yao. It saddened me that Tituba now only had spirits with her, but it seemed like enough. However soon Tituba met Iphigene who she cured when he was very sick, She allowed him to stay with her because he had no where else to go. Soon later the relation had become sexual. It was weird for me and Tituba because she knew he was much younger, but due to the harship of life they connected in a way of what probably is the only type of pleasure in the word Tituba lived it. Soon later people surrounded Tituba’s cottage, and as they exclaimed, “They are there to finally finish what should have been done years ago.”

Chapter 8-14 were very weird chapters for me. I often felt, saddened, happy, hopeful, confused, and eager while reading. Something I found to be hopeful was the way that the Jewish man Cohen d’Azevedo took care of Tituba. Tituba was saved out of jail by Cohen d’Azevedo, he wanted her too look after his nine children, because their mother had recently passed away. Cohen and his family were a very spiritual man and believed in ‘goodness’ so Tituba no longer had to deal with being whipped which I really appreciated. Cohen eventually took a liking in Tituba and began to encounter in sexual acts for her. It hurt me to see the way Tituba appreciated her new home, but at the same time was more so being used for her body by Cohen, because Tituba never really desired it the way he did. In class we often say that Tituba loves sex, but does she really? I believe Tituba never really had a choice to refuse it, so she just went along with it, which seemed better in her head than to be forced and raped.

As I continued reading the novel, I Tituba, I found John Indians character to be disgraceful. Tituba was very fond of John Indian; she was in love with him. The way that Tituba described to find peace, and confinement in John Indian through the bitter life she lived, it made me fond of John Indian as well. I liked the way that I thought sweet Tituba finally had someone almost like herself who gave her the love she always deserved. However, I was soon shown to be wrong about my admiration for John Indian. For when Tituba was locked away in jail for being a “Witch” John Indian lost all interest for Tituba. It made me question if John Indian truly loved Tituba and if her just simply kept her around for his very own pleasures of sexual interest. Throughout reading the book I did always get the sense that is hard for slaves to love another. For their entire life has been them being controlled, and them being betrayed. So it shown through the characters of John Indian, who had us all fooled.

The part that stood out to me was when she asked mama yaya is this the price to pay for freedom and mama yaya asked her “you talk about freedom, have you any idea what it means”. this part stood out to me because out of all the people around her even the maroons, Tituba was experiencing the most freedom. The slaves had no freedom, the maroons had to hide themselves so they didnt have much freedom either. although she just wanted better for her unborn child she seemed to be ungrateful and greedy and it ended up costing her her life and her unborn child. also when mama yaya tells her she still cant live without a man, even though Iphigene was young, she was right. Throughout the story Tituba has been very dependent on the male figures that was around her. even her death she depends on iphigene to help better life for her and even when she depends on a man they cause her suffering. for example with john indian, she depended on him for love and intimacy, but ended up being hurt as he sided with her accusers and didn’t defend her. Also when she slept with Iphigene, this shows that although she was a strong person, sex was her weakness. For Tituba sex had no age, no race, no religion, and no wrong. although she saw Iphigene as a son to her she still slept with him.

The most interesting thing I found out that in the chapters that Tituba had feelings for Benjamin Cohen d’ Azevedo he was her master at one point then he caught feeling for her as well. Even though she used her powers to bring back her masters wife and children, I found that really nice of her to do. I think Benjamin was nice to grant her freedom and return her back to Barbados. Even though he wanted Tituba to use her powers  to prevent his men from getting sick. Then later on in the story Tituba finds out that she is pregnant by Benjamin when he is long gone.

Tituba has suffered greatly all her life and lost many of her loved ones. As a slave in the Caribbean she suffered a great amount of verbal and physical abuse. All she wanted to do was to be liberated from tyranny and escape the dystopian society ruled by white people. The part that really intrigued me and that really stood out was when Tituba returned to Barbados. After being a dystopian protagonist in a society dictated by white people. Tituba willingly sacrificed and risked everything she had just to get to her home where, she originated from. After escaping all she had been through she made it back to her beloved Barbados, where she thought she would be safe and free. Tituba and Iphigene join the spirit realm, inciting future revolts whenever possible. Although Tituba was said to be a witch, she was surrounded by misery and pain where ever she went. In my perspective I believe that Tituba wasn’t meant to have a long lasting relationship because it will only slow her down and cause chaos. Abena and Mama Yaya warned Tituba of the consequences of falling in love with men.They both believed that men will only cause pain and suffering. Although a white man who treated Tituba nicely fell deeply in love with Tituba. Benjamin at his very own will set her free but in my perspective Tituba should have not searched for love. Tituba should have only focused on survival even though she wanted to feel loved and it was necessary.

Tituba has suffered greatly all her life. Her toughest times existed when she lived in America. The part that stood out to me most while reading the above section of the novel is how Tituba wanted to return to Barbados at any cost. After escaping all she had been through in America and made it back to her beloved Barbados where she thought she would be safe and free; she and her young lover “Iphegene” were hung.

Although Tituba was said to be a witch, she was surround by bad luck wherever she goes. I believe Tituba was not meant to have any lasting lover. Abena, her mother, has always cautioned her about her desire for men (lovers). Although she finds a lover quickly, they never lasted and she always pays a price after being with a man for some time.