I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem

Part 2 of the novel marks the beginning of the Puritan inquisition. The Puritan ministers open Chapter 1 in the Parris dining room. The girls file into the room and respond to the question of who is tormenting them by pointing to Tituba. Then, for no reason Tituba can understand, they link two others—whose namesakes appear in the records of the trials as convicted and executed—to Tituba: Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne.

The men, like “four great birds of prey,” charge into Tituba’s room, “wearing black hoods with holes for their eyes” (90). They tie her down, beat her, and rape her repeatedly with a sharp stick. They order her to confess and denounce Good and Osborne and the others.

When Tituba refuses to cooperate, they threaten worse harm, reminding her: “For you’re not worth the rope to hang you on” (91). As the assault intensifies, John Indian arrives, and they leave, telling him to make her listen. John Indian does as he is told and insists that she cooperate.

The village constables arrest Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba. On the road to the Ipswich prison, Tituba vows revenge. Once in the cell, the two women turn on Tituba, screaming until she is pulled out of the cell and tied to a hook outside.