Question

In "The Witch of Blackbird Pond," why does a local woman blame Kit for Mercy's illness? What is Matthew's response to the accusation? What does this reveal about his character?

a) The local woman blames Kit because she believes Kit brought a curse upon Mercy, revealing superstition prevalent in the community. Matthew defends Kit, showcasing his sense of justice and fairness.
b) The local woman blames Kit because she thinks Kit is a bad influence, revealing prejudice against Kit. Matthew strongly rebukes the accusation, showing his protective nature and standing up for Kit.
c) The local woman blames Kit because Kit was previously accused of witchcraft, fueling suspicion. Matthew remains silent, indicating his indecisiveness and reluctance to confront the situation.
d) The local woman blames Kit because Kit was a newcomer to the community, making her an easy target. Matthew agrees with the accusation, highlighting his lack of trust in Kit.

Answer 1

The local woman blames Kit for Mercy's illness due to superstition. Matthew defends Kit, showing his sense of justice and fairness, revealing his fair and just character.

Step-by-step explanation:

In The Witch of Blackbird Pond, the local woman blames Kit for Mercy's illness because she believes Kit brought a curse upon Mercy, a notion that reveals the superstition prevalent in the community. Matthew's response to the accusation is to defend Kit, which showcases his sense of justice and fairness. This defense of Kit reflects positively on his character, demonstrating his ability to form his own opinions rather than being swayed by the baseless fears of others.

The local woman blames Kit for Mercy's illness due to superstition. Matthew defends Kit, showing his sense of justice and fairness, revealing his fair and just character.