In I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem by Maryse Conde what sort of man is John Indian?

Question

What sort of man is John Indian, and why is Tituba attracted to him? What is Conde saying about male/female relations today by setting her story in the 17th century? Notice that John Indian has agreed to abide by Susanna Endicott's rules without believing in the principles she espouses. How does Tituba feel about this and why? How does this all relate to Tituba's decision to follow him and subsequent regret?

Answer 1

In Maryse Conde's literary work, "I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem," John Indian is portrayed as a captivating and enigmatic figure who elicits the interest of Tituba. He is depicted as having a unique heritage, being of African and Native American descent, and having a profound understanding of both cultures. John Indian is portrayed as a charismatic individual endowed with a confident demeanor who can maneuver the political and social environment of the 17th century.

Tituba is intrigued by John Indian's magnetic personality and the aura of mystery that surrounds him. At first, she is attracted to him due to his independence from the cultural and societal restrictions that she, as an enslaved person, is bound to abide by. Despite this attraction, Tituba is also cautious of John Indian, sensing that he lacks full conviction in the principles upheld by the society in which he lives.

Conde uses the 17th-century setting to address the complexities of male-female relationships and to highlight the ongoing pursuit of equality and respect. Through this, she aims to shed light on the parallels between the past and present, where power imbalances and systemic oppression persist.

Tituba experiences a conflict regarding John Indian's compliance with Susanna Endicott's rules, even though he does not embrace the principles she advocates. This is due to Tituba's understanding that John Indian is merely utilizing these rules to survive. Still, he also acknowledges that his lack of commitment to the principles of society may lead to his eventual downfall. This inner struggle highlights Tituba's attempts to reconcile her beliefs and desires with the reality of her circumstances, ultimately resulting in her decision to accompany John Indian and her subsequent regret as she realizes that her attraction to him may have been misguided.