Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo and Tituba are an unlikely pair, or are they? In what ways does Tituba's relationship with Benjamin compare OR contrast with Tituba's relationship with John Indian?
Be sure to use specific examples/scenes and/or quotes from the text and give author's name and page number in your response.
The relationship between Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo and Tituba was a peculiar relationship. Azevedo was the master that had saved her from her physical and mental pain she had endured throughout the time she served in jail.
ReplyDeleteAzevedo bought her and she wondered if he knew that she was witch, " I wondered if BenjaminCohen d'Azevedo had even heard about the Salem witch trials and whether he hadn't entered the prion by accident. In any case, if he had heard about these sad events, he would have put them down to the basic cruelty that seemed to characterize those he called Gentiles and would have forgiven me entirely." [Conde 123] both Azevedo and Tituba found a sense of comfort with eachother, Azevedo was accepting of Tituba and she was accepting of Azevedo. He understood what it was to be treated indifferent because he was a Jew and Tituba because she was a witch. They both shared mutual feelings on being discriminated and this is best described on page Conde 127.
In my opinion Tituba and Azevedo shared a passion and compassion for eachother due to their religious beliefs. In contrast, with John Indian she felt more of an attraction to his physical appearance and submitted herself to surrender to becoming a slave when she was free. Her relationship with John Indian was filled with Lust but, no understanding. his words to her was that she had to survive as a slave. This is best described when Tituba stated " I could not forget the pain and shame I felt as his behavior in front of Susanna Endicott, but my rage sharpened my desire for him." [Conde23] in her statement it's proven that the passion she felt for him dismissed her beliefs and feelings towards the mistress Endicott.
One can understand that the relationships that Tituba held with these two men were different. Her relationship with John Indian made her experience lust, love and attraction. While her relationship with the unnattrative master Azevedo was more of a passion of comprehension of the discriminating world they were forced to live in. Azevedo for being a Jew and Tituba for being a witch. Azevedo granted Titiuba another opportunity of freedom when Azevedo loses his family in tragic fire.
The people responsible for this event were a crowd of men and women dressed in sinister Puritan they shouted and stated "what are those who govern us thinking of? One man thundered out. Did we leave England for this? To see Jews and niggers multiply in our midst?" [Conde 132] After the lost of Azevedo's family he grants Tituba's freedom and Tituba sets sail for her much missed Island of Barbados. The greatest difference with these two men is that one persuaded her into slavery and the other granted her freedom.
The relationship between Tituba and Benjamin is extremely different from her relationship, with John Indian. Benjamin is like a savior for Tituba, he saves her from the life that John Indian brought her into. Although the relationship is in some ways perverse as it is still a master slave relationship. You can see that have some caring for each other. Tituba is attracted to him for some reason, even though he is not attractive in any such way as she discribes him. "My sweet, crooked, mishappen lover! (Conde, 140). The attraction that Benjamin has to Tituba stems from his utter loneliness, as he has been without a woman for quite some time. It also stems for his longing for someone to take care of his children, he needs a woman's touch in the house. Titubas attraction to Benjamin stems from the fact that he bought her from the jailer in ipswich (conde, 120). Tituba feels saved and she is thankful that he has come to save her. There is also a very distinct difference in the way d'Azevedo runs his household, compared to Samuel Parris. Although d'Azevedo is a religious man, he is not a harsh controller, he allows Tituba to continue her practices freely without judgement (part of the reason is because it benefits him) . John Indian insisted that she hide her practices
ReplyDelete"Are you a Christian?" She went on.
John Indian hastily intervened. "I'm going to teach her the prayers, Mistress!..." (Conde, 21)
"The duty of a slave is to survive! do you understand? To survive!" (Conde, 22).
John Indian is only concerned about survival, he is willing to sacrifice his identity to survive. Benjamin is not, even though he not persecuted as harshly as he would be if he were a slave, he is still singled out and given hell for being a jew. Unlike John Indian he does not let this change who he is, he doesn't let it waiver his faith. He is a much stronger man that John Indian, and so his a Titubas relationship even though it is strange and perverse flourishes despite the odds.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin and Tituba I wouldnt call them an unlikely pair. Their relationship is based on suffering and lost. He is a similar spirit, peresecuted and opressed for being a jew. " He , too, was from the land of suffering and that in some undefinable way we were or we could be on the same side" ( Conde121) .It clearly shows connection since the beginning. The only difference between them is Benjamin blames himself for his misfortune and those of others. He sees himself as being punished ( Conde 134). In contrast with Tituba which sees herself as a victim. The pair becomes stronger as life goes on. She quickly adopted her self to his way of living and his religion.
During , her living life Tituba was faced with two major relationships in men however, different from each other. If we analyze her relationship with Benjamin we will see since the begining it started as a master and slave pair. He appeared ugly to her without any emotional attraction or physical between them. It was his profession what changed her vision for him. She had hoped he would one day take her back home to Barbadoes . " Suddendly I looked at the jew with new eyes as if his down right ugliness had become the most appealing assets"(Conde 120-121). In contrast with John Indian which it started with sexual physical attraction,lust and love. John is Tituba's husband and lover. In the early years of their relationship he was a good balance for her essential gloominess. Later, however, he proves to be careless and unreliable, more self-interested . His motto, repeated to Tituba throughout their life together is that the first duty of a slave is to survive. This leads him compromising both his identity and integrity. In other hands Benjamin was more a caring and loving person. He rescued her from prison and at the end gave her freedom. Their emotional intimacy became sexual intimacy, commenting that she often longed for the sexier, more muscular John Indian, but even so she found sexual pleasure with Cohen . She now was a servent and mistress(Conde 127). Benjamin always treated her with respect and treated her equal within the family. They talked for long hours sharing their sad stories trying to heal each others scars.
Tituba's relationship with Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo is different than what she had with John Indian. Even though Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo was a slave master, he did more for her than John Indian would. Tituba went through a very mental, emotional and painful crisis during her time in jail. Everyone turned their back on her, even John Indian (Conde 107-109). The relationship with John Indian was more a physical type relationship and also her first love, even though he end up turning his back. It hurt her to know that John Indian was also going along and making it seem hat someone was torementing him. The relationship with Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo she felt more compassion and respectful. He came to save her in the jail of Ipswich and kind of adopted her into the family (Conde 127). He treated her equally and with respect . Even though they had different beliefs, Tituba made an effort to adapt to Benjamin's belief. Both Tituba and Benjamin build a strong connection through out the story.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Tituba & Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo is a relationship of not only need but also understanding. Need to fill each other's sexual desires but what is even more important is Tituba giving Benjamin the ability to talk to his wife who passed away from the whooping cough epidemic. Their relationship can also be seen as understanding because both Tituba and Benjamin have been affected by prejudice. Tituba's relationship with John Indian differs from her relationship with Benjamin because their relationship was based of love as well as lust. Tituba explains her relationship with John Indian by saying “We were oblivious to everything. John Indian and I, as we suffocated in love.” (Condé 152). Her relationship with both men can also be seen as similar. In both relationships she has giving up her freedom to stay with both men.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Cohen d'Azevedo and Tituba actually had much in common. They were both mistreated by groups of people who found them to be different, therefore outcasts or evil. This is displayed when they are in the attic talking. Ben says, "Do you know how many of us lost our lives under the inquisition?" Tituba responds, "And what about us? Do you know how many of us have been bled from the coast of Africa?" (Conde, 127) They also share the feeling of having lost loved ones, since Tituba lost her mother Abena, Mama Yaya and Yao. Ben "lost his wife and youngest children to an epidemic of whooping cough."(Conde, 123)
ReplyDeleteI believe the biggest contrast between Tituba's relationship with Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo and John Indian was her loss and gain of freedom. With John Indian, Tituba ultimately sacrificed her freedom to be with this man. She admits giving up her freedom, unlike others saying, "They had not walked of their own accord toward a raging, awe-inspiring sea to give themselves up to the slave dealers and bend their backs to the branding iron. That is exactly what I had done."(Conde, 25) However, in her relationship with Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo, he gives her back her freedom after his children and boats are set aflame. He does this because he believes he is being punished for denying her the only thing she ever asked for, her freedom.(Conde, 134) Another contrast between the two men were their physical appearances. John Indian was, "tall, skinny, lightskinned and with curiously smooth hair."(Conde, 13) On the other hand, Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo was, "small and hunchbacked with a complexion the color of eggplant."(Conde, 120) They could not have been more opposite.
Daedra Saunders
DeleteTituba and Benjamin Cohen d' Azevedo are not an unlikely pair. They share some of the same past experiences. Tituba admired this Jew when he first visited the prison."One afternoon I found grace in the eyes of a man." (Conde, 120) One of the things they shared alike was the fact of suffering in their past. Benjamin had his negative experience with the Jews as well as Tituba did by being a slave and having her freedom taking away. The two had an understanding of each others unfair past but Tituba felt Benjamin past always outdid hers. (Conde, 127) Benjamin had lost his wife Abigail and one of his chidren just as Tituba has lost Mama Yaya, Abena, and Yao. As her loved one visits her she helps Benjamin visits his wife. The two become sexually involved because they both are missing comfort and love; they learn to embrace each other. (Conde, 126)
Benjamin came along and swept Tituba off her feet, almost rescuing her from all the evil John Indian had equipped into her life. Although he was a slave master, their bond was passionate. "There is always a shadow at the back of your eyes, Tituba. What can I give you to make you happy or almost happy?" (Conde, 128) Her response was freedom. JOhn Indian couldnt give Tituba freedom. In her eyes he was concerned with himself being able to survive. She didnt trust him, she believed he made a pact with her tormentors. (Conde, 109) John Indian intended to be a caring man but instead he turned out to be a selfish careless one. Benjamin was nothing like that, he treated Tituba with respect; their emotional feelings lead them into having a greater experience with each other, sexually. As compared to John Indian, there connection was both sexually and physically before it became emotionally. Benjamin gave Tituba freedom, that is the biggest distinction of both men. John Indian was stuck where she was and couldnt help him nor her, Benjamin was a slave owner yet her "misshappen lover" who gave her life back.
Tituba’s relationship with Benjamin Cohen d’Azevedo is different from her relationship with John Indian in many ways but yet similar in some ways. Tituba’s relationship with John Indian was more about sex. “What matters most is that we are together in this big bed like a raft on rapids” (Conde 25). Also in their relationship Tituba was the one who made most of the sacrifices and the relationship mattered most to. The fact that John Indian was able to move on with his life after Tituba got locked up proved that. “… He moved into her bed. There was such an outcry in the village that they had to leave” (Conde 130).
ReplyDeleteHowever the relationship that Tituba had with Benjamin Cohen d’Azevedo was different because even though their relationship was in secret they had love for each and the talked about each other. “The sweetest moments, however, were those when he talked. About us. And only about us” (Conde 127). He also did good things for her. “You are now free. And here is proof. He held out a parchment set with various seals… go back to Barbados. Isn’t it what you have always wanted most? ... I have booked you a passage on board the ship Bless the Lord…” (Conde 134). And in both relationship she was will to give up her freedom for the man Benjamin Cohen d’Azevedo stilled set her free and made sure she made it back to her home land.
The relationship between Tituba and Benjamin Cohen d'Azvedo is quite different from the relationship between her and John Indian. She loved John Indian and gave up her freedom to be with him. However it was Mama Yaya who warned her. Apparently he had been with too much women. "They say this cock had coupled with half the hens in Carlisle Bay....I only want to take one look at him and see that he's a shallow nigger, full of hot air and bravado!" (conde 15). Just Like Mama Yaya had said, he betrayed Tituba joining sides with the accusers, after she loved him, made love him to him, and gave up her freedom to be with him. "I mean my poor suffering wife, that I am not like you. Do you think it's only Abigail, Anne Putnam and other bitches who know to howl, have fits, faint and pant:'Ow!You're pinching me, you're hurting me, Let me go!" "John Indian, you too are pretending to be tormented." He nodded. "I had my hour of glory a few days ago." ( conde 109) On the other hand, the relationship with Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo was the kind of relationship that was more than just a Master-Slave Relationship. He gave her clothes ( in which his late wife Abigail wore), he invited her to have a drink with his friends ( conde 124). Even his eldest daughter felt pity for Tituba and told her that God blesses those who suffer (conde 126). However, it was Tituba who allowed Benjamin to see his wife every week and in turn he granted her what she craved the most, her freedom. Freedom to return home to Barbados. "He is punishing me because I refused you the thing you desired, your freedom! Because I have kept you with me by force.." "Go back to Barbados. Isn't that what you wanted the most?.. "I Have booked you a passage on board the ship Bless the Lord, which sails for a Bridgetown in a few days." (conde 134). So Tituba gave up her freedom to be with John Indian who betrayed her and Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo who granted Tituba her freedom to go back home. To Barbados
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Tituba and John Indian is different from her relationship with Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo. Tituba and John Indian based more on physical and sexual attraction. Unlike Tituba and Benjamin there connection was quite different they had more of a understanding and comforting relationship. Due to the fast that they both know what it is to be shunned by people and this is shown in (Conde 127).
ReplyDeleteThe relationship she shared with Benjamin wasn't too much like her relationship with John Indian. She said " i must confess that when he undressed, revealing his crooked, pasty body, i couldn't help think of the dark-brown muscles of John Indian"
ReplyDelete( Conde 127) this shows that she didn't love Benjamin she just had a need that she wanted to satisfy. I think they connect with each other because even though Benjamin was white in color he too had been hated because of who he was a Jew ( Conde 127)
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ReplyDeleteTituba’s relationship with John Cohen d’Azevedo in comparison with her relationship with John Indian varied in great detail.
ReplyDeleteWhen Tituba chooses to be with John Indian, she has elected to live a life of self-deprivation and loss of self. Her lust for John coerced her to worship within a secular providence of people who demeaned or tried to crucify her soul for the same powerful reasons they respected and feared her.
When she finds out from Mary Black that John Indian was one of the first to call witch at many of the women in Salem, and he had taken up with goodwife Sarah Porter, Tituba exclaims, “I was wearing myself out in bondage, while my man was striding around in leather boots […..]and assessing his wealth” (Conde’, 130). At this point, Mama Yaya’s and Abena’s warnings about John Indian’s shallow soul have begun to manifest for Tituba.
However, Tituba’s relationship with Benjamin Cohen d’Azevedo was a learned experience for Tituba. Although they came from very different parts of the world, they had both endured the suffering of dehumanization and being ostracized for their faith and culture. Although Tituba conformed to certain aspects of d’Azevedo’s culture, she didn’t feel as if she was once again confined to a life of belittling misery.
Beverly Terry
The realtion ship with Tituba and John Indian when things got hard and unfortunate John Indian was no help and didnt stick around." It was John Indian the four birds of prey pushed him forward. you tell her you seem less sturburn" (Conde91-92)John indian just watched after she was just raped and did nothing. Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo would never let that haappen if he was in the same pridictment his passive rage of his loss ones wouldnt let it.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Cohen d'Azevedo and Tituba is quite different from the relationship of Tituba and John Indian. Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo and Tituba relationship is based on lost, suffering, and yearning for a companionship after Benjamin lost his wife and Tituba lost John Indian. But just like John indian, Tituba calls on Mama Yaya and Abena to help with her practices to get Benjamin to want her. "I managed to call on Mama yaya and Abena ... May their combined powers make me fall into the hands of that merchant whose look told me that he, too, was from the land of suffering... (Conde121). Benjamin never forced Tituba to change her spiritual beliefs and especially because of her art, it benefited him.(conde 125' 131) John Indian wanted Tituba to change her practices and be more acceptable around his owners and peoples. Susan Endicott "Are you a Christian" John Indian replied " Im going to teach her the prayers." (Conde 21)
ReplyDeleteHer attraction to John Indian was that of lust and not real love, his body and the way he made her feel made her believe that she was in love. But what is that considered when she used witchcraft to get him in the first place. The same with Benjamin, the only difference was that they both experience pain and the lost of oneself with the lost of a loved one.
John Indian knew from the beginning that he was he was one of "these" men.Meaning "these" in the fact that even though his skin color was different from the white men he still treated Tituba as if he was one.As a man John, was treated much better in the white society. "Tituba one day implied him with questions...John Indian said don't you worry about me"(108)John Indian did not want Tituba to worry about him with and his relationship within the white society. "I recalled Hester words"(108).Tituba friend Hester warned her about how differently men and women were regarded and how John Indian did not care about her even going as far as to point out that they he never visited her while she was in jail."He sprung around and stared at me angrily...how changed he had become he was a different person."(109). It did not take long before Tituba came to the realization that her husband had changed "overnight"He accused and neglected her just like her enemies at times siding with them.Tituba would never do/say anything to hurt John Indian who she loved. "Oh you are pinching me, you are hurting me let me go"(109). Tituba was surprised to hear her husband say these words she was "rocked by a violent feeling of pain and terror...I just could not understand why" (110).
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Cohen a Jew, treated Tituba with love although he was her master.He loved her because she took care of his kids as well as being his mistress. In some ways Tituba and Benjamin were treated unfairly.Benjamin adored Tituba for the work she was doing with his family "he joined in her sacrificing of sheeps"(125). Whatever Tituba did he embraced and treated her no different compared to John Indian who pretended he was in love with her.Tituba volunteered to give up her country to live in slavery with John who turned his back on her. On page 127 Benjamin said to Tituba "she doesn't know what it is to be a Jew". Even though they shared some similarities in the way the rest of the society treated them differently Benjamin still felt that Tituba did not understand his experiences as a Jew.Benjamin loved Tituba and Ultimately he granted her to set her free and have her return to her homeland. "Tituba you are my beloved witch"(130).
Tituba was taken for granted by John the whole time he was against her. A man she thought lived her and was devoted to her was fighting to keep her locked away. She should have listen to mama ya ya when she gave that warning she says "I only have to take one look at him to see he's a shallow nigger, full of hot air and bravado"(conde15) all tituba wanted John todo was to love her but instead she was betrayed. All he was worried about was conquering his freedom. It was more of a lust then love between them. The relationship between tituba and Benjamin was more of a lovey and affectionate type, he wasnt worried about laying her down in her back hey says "why must any relationship with the slightest hint if affection between a man and a woman necessarily end up in bed? I can't get over it"(Conde126). Benjamin was trying to make her happy he says"what can I do to make you happy or almost happy" she says "give me my freedom" (conde128). He wasnt ready to free her he didnt want her to go out there it was like he was losing his wife all over again.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship Tituba had with John Indian was more of lust than true love. She was physically attracted to him and thought about making love to him before even getting to know him. "As I my pudenda, it seemed that it was no longer me but John Indian who was caressing me. out of the depths of my body gushed a pungent tidal wave that flooded my thighs." (Conde,15) After moving to the village of Salem, she was accused of bewitching the little girls of the village and soon realized that the man she had fallen for was no longer on her side. Mama Yaya had seen this coming when Tituba had wished for him to love her. "And she moved away, but not before I noticed an expression of sadness on her face. She had probably seen the pattern of my life start to unfold." (Conde, 15)
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Tituba and Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo was more of an emotional connection. "It was beloved Abigail who brought us together." (Conde, 124) Tituba had allowed him to see his lost, his wife Abigail, every week. Tituba then became both mistress and servant. Being with Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo had brought her peace. "But my pain passed like the rest. It faded away and I had four monhs of peace, dare I say happiness, with Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo." (Conde, 131)
Benjamin Cohen d'Azevedo and Tituba are an unlikely pair . He's Jewish and she's black thats what many people in that day of age would consider as an unlikely pair. There relationship was more contrasted than compared to her and John Indians relationship. Tituba was more attracted to Johns physical appearance (Conde, 127) but with Benjamin she wasn't she was attracted to his personality and how he didn't treat her like scum. They had conversations that she enjoyed which made her feel like they were all connected in someway.
ReplyDeleteTitbua's relationship with Benjamin Cohen d' Azevedo and John Indian is very different from each other. Tituba was attracted to John Indian from day one. (Conde 127) she loved the way he looked and his physique. It was more like a lust she had for him. John Indian was just with her for companionship. Throughout their whole relationship he tried to change her. Tell her how she should be. He cared for her but I don't believe he loved her which is two different things. Benjamin Cohen d' Azevedo was very affectionate toward Tituba. He loved her and wanted the best for her. He loved her so much that he was willing to give her something that she wanted for a long time, which was her freedom. He was caring and affectionate towards her. Tituba cared for both of them in different ways and they both contributed to the woman she became.
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