The Crucible - Tituba
As the story of Tituba unfolds, it reveals a strong and kind hearted young woman, very different from the Tituba we meet in The Crucible. I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem unveils for the reader, Tituba's life, loves, and losses. Her long and arduous journey through life is inspired by her many female counterparts, yet also hindered by her insatiable weakness for men, who also press upon her the realities of life.
Tituba's life is one full of magic and wonder, yet also fraught with suffering. The majority of Tituba'' pain and suffering is caused by the hands of men, in particular, white men. The most prominent destructive white male in Tituba's life is Samuel Parris. From the moment Tituba is placed into Parris' ownership, he is quote clear about his hatred for Negroes. He thrives on he power bestowed upon him by the forces of racism and, at the same time, cowardly hides behind the mask of religion. He treats Tituba as if she is worthless, and undeserving of a happy life, which breaks down her sense of self-worth and self-confidence. Because of his status as a Puritan white male, this infringement upon fundamental human rights is overlooked by the public.
While Samuel Parris' mistreatment of Tituba is more obvious, she is also betrayed by her own husband, John Indian. When Tituba first meets John Indian, she is "simply fascinated by the bravado of his voice and his smile," (13) and this is due to her inexperience with men. In retrospect, Tituba realizes he was, in fact, weak, but she is blinded from this knowledge by her overpowering love for him. Tituba's love for John is so unwavering that she in unable to see his self-righteous qualities and with what ease he will give up on his love for her to save himself. After her arrest, John's betrayal becomes apparent: "For me it seemed her had made a pact with my tormentors . . . wouldn't he have been capable of shouting: "Oh, oh, Tituba is tormenting me! Yes my wife is a witch!" (109). John Indian's betrayal is the ultimate climax of men's' destructive influence on Tituba's life, yet she continues to fall into various relationships with men throughout the novel, ultimately leading to her demise.
Had Tituba's life consisted of relationships only with men, it is unlikely that she would have survived to return to her native Barbados. She relies upon the guidance and support of female characters throughout the novel to help her persevere and pick up the pieces of her life. One of the most essential characters to Tituba's strength is Mama Yaya. Mama Yaya instills strong values in Tituba at a young ago which she carries with her throughout life, such as her need to aid all those who suffer with her powers. Ironically, Mama Yaya then abandons these morals and leaves Tituba because of her weakness for men. When Tituba travels to Salem to be by John Indian's side, Mama Yaya betrays Tituba, and Abena laments her daughter's weakness with long-winded sighs.
The sole female character who maintains faith in Tituba is Hester. She looks past Tituba's race and accepts her as beautiful: "What a magnificent colour she's got her skin and what a wonderful way she has of covering up her feelings!" (95) Hester teaches Tituba much about how to prepare her deposition, and impresses upon her the concept that it is forgivable to compromise values to save one's own life.
Hester is also a significant character because she helps to enforce the idea that life is full of opportunity. When Tituba first arrives at Ipswich, she is desolate and heart broken. Hester opens her heart as well as her cell to Tituba, showing her the first signs of kindness she has experiences since the circus surrounding the Salem witch trials began. Hester is unfazed by Tituba's reputation which precedes her and is able to see Tituba's true altruistic nature. Her reaction after initially meeting Tituba is shown in the following quote: "... she took my face between her hands. `You cannot have done evil, Tituba! I am sure of that, you're too lovely! Even if they all accused you, I would defend your innocence." (95).
After her heinous treatment in Salem, and the devastating betrayal of John Indian, these words and this faith are rejuvenating to Tituba's emotional stability. Hester's encouragement is felt by Tituba throughout the remainder of her life, and even during her existence as a spirit. She draws on Hester strongly during times of need, for example as she attempts to practice her art after an extended absence: "I felt a pair of lips on my neck and knew it was Hester come to give me courage." (125).
Despite the efforts of Hester and her female counterparts to show Tituba the possibilities of life, the negative influence of John Indian demonstrates the limitations of life. In the novel I, Tituba, John presses upon Tituba the urgency of a slave's life: "John Indian closed the door with a wooden latch and took me in his arms, whispering: 'The duty of a slave is to survive! Do you understand? To survive!'"(22) These harsh words are spoken to Tituba upon arrival at the estate of Susanna Endicott as Tituba reencounters the realities of life for a black slave.
As racism was obviously extremely prevalent in the 1600's, Tituba is limited by her race, but also by her gender. This patriarchal society is much more lenient when dealing with men than women. For Tituba, a black female slave, it seems as if the suffering will never end. After returning to Barbados, she speaks with Yao, and he sadly believes that Negroes will always be limited: "Our memories will have to float to the surface like water lilies...There's no end to the misfortune of black folks." (165)
Maryse Conde's novel I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem is a quasi-epic masterpiece which unashamedly displays it's message for those who read it, regardless of race. Conde uses the novel as a vehicle and the character of Hester as its voice to drive home her message. She strongly advocates for the liberation of the black people and equal treatment of women. While this is an obviously biased view, it is one which cannot to ignored.
It would be unfair to conclude an essay about a novel of such great proportion without matching its weight and grandeur. Tituba's life is one fraught with strong influences; women inspire her to achieve great things while her sole weakness, men, pull her down and ultimately contribute to her demise. Tituba is exposed to the often harsh realities of life, as she attempts to maintain her strong morals and values. Conde is able to drive her vehicle to destroy prejudice straight into success.
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