Kit struggles to adjust to her new life in Wethersfield due to the culture shock she experiences. Although both Barbados and Connecticut are British colonies, the two could not be more different. Students can benefit from using storyboards to compare and contrast life in Kit’s two homes. Have students use one column of a T-chart to depict various aspects of life in Barbados. On the opposite side, they should depict contrasting aspects of Kit’s life in Wethersfield, CT. Students can use text below each scene to explain their observations. The sample storyboard shows possible topics for comparison.
| Barbados | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| The climate in Barbados was tropical, and the plants were lush and brightly colored. | The climate in New England is much cooler than Barbados and includes a long, snowy winter. Connecticut has plenty of green plants, but few brightly colored flowers. |
| On Barbados, Kit lived a wealthy life with plenty of leisure time and slaves to serve her. | In Connecticut, Kit is expected to work hard every day, from dipping candles to weeding the crops. |
| In Barbados, Kit lived with her kind-hearted grandfather who loved her and doted on her. | In Wethersfield, Kit lives with her uncle Matthew who disapproves of her and lets her know she is unwelcome. Even her aunt and cousins are stressed by Kit’s arrival. |
| In Barbados, Kit lived a life filled with laughter and fun. She enjoyed reading literature, swimming, sailing, and watching plays. | In Wethersfield, the Puritan culture frowns on fun. Their community has strict rules and does not approve of most non-religious books and activities. |
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting the settings in The Witch of Blackbird Pond.