Question

In "The Witch of Blackbird Pond," why is it important to the colonists to have hidden the charter?

a) The charter holds secrets that, if revealed, could jeopardize the colony's autonomy and freedoms.
b) The charter is a symbol of their independence and heritage, and they wish to protect it from potential confiscation.
c) The charter contains valuable information about the colony's resources and strategies, which they want to keep hidden from other colonies.
d) The charter is considered sacred, and the colonists believe it should be kept hidden to prevent misuse.

Answer 1

The charter in 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond' is important because it symbolizes the colonists' independence and heritage, which they are determined to protect from the Crown's control.

Step-by-step explanation:

In The Witch of Blackbird Pond, it is important to the colonists to have hidden the charter because b) The charter is a symbol of their independence and heritage, and they wish to protect it from potential confiscation. Charters like the one in Connecticut granted by Charles II embodied self-governance and the rights of Englishmen, which colonists held dearly. When James II tried to revoke the Connecticut Charter in 1685 and assert control, it was a direct threat to their autonomy. Captain Joseph Wadsworth's action of hiding the charter in the "Charter Oak" was a way to safeguard their right to self-government and the values they lived by.