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Year of Wonders - Greed

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Year of Wonders - Greed
THEMES
Fear
‘The plague was a vehicle for unleashing the hidden fears and suspicions that governed the lives of the village.’ Do you agree?
‘Year of Wonders explores how fear can tear apart the lives of individuals and society as a whole.’ To what extent do you agree?

“Fear was working a change in all of us”. What changes does fear bring about in Year of Wonders?

Religion

‘Year of Wonders demonstrates the sinister side of religious fervour.’ Discuss.

‘Year of Wonders suggests that nature and religion will always be opposing forces.’ Discuss.

‘This novel shows the importance of having and questioning one’s faith in times of crisis.’ Discuss.

Science and Enlightenment
‘This novel illustrates the conflict between medieval values and enlightened thinking.’ Discuss.
Women in the 17th century
“Anna Frith, a woman who had faced more terrors than many warriors…” It is the women in the text that prove to be stronger in the face of adversity. To what extent do you agree?

‘In Year of Wonders it is the female characters who display the greatest strength and resilience.’ Do you agree?
The male characters in Year of Wonders are all weak.’ Is this how you see the novel?
Society

“Here we will be for one another”. What effects does the plague have on the bonds within the community? What would it be like to find that two-thirds of your neighbours were dead within a year? How would, faith, relationships and social order survive?

The plague attacks not only individuals but the very structure of society. Discuss.

Human nature
‘Year of Wonders illustrates that some individuals will react irrationally to people and occurrences that they do not understand.’ Discuss.

‘Year of Wonders demonstrates that times of crisis bring out the darker side of human nature.’ Discuss.

‘Year of Wonders is a story of great courage in the face of extreme adversity.’ Discuss.
‘Geraldine Brooks’ Year of Wonders is a bleak exploration of human suffering and
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