Year Of Wonders Themes

Jon Milston, the sexton, says, ‘these times, they do make monsters of us all.’ Is this a fair assessment of the townsfolk of Eyam living under quarantine?

Geraldine Brooks’ historical novel, Year of Wonders, shows many different events that happen during the time when the vulgar plague spreads through the town of Eyam. This novel is based on true historical events. It explores different themes such as religion, the meaning of life and death and how people cope in such a fearful time. Jon Milston the sexton says to Anna after burying many bodies “... these times, they do make monsters of us all.”Milston says this after he is summoned to the home of plague victims whom weren’t all dead yet. Generally, when people are described as ‘monsters’ they are considered to be villainous and dangerous. While it is applicable to consider
He rises up when the plague hits and takes on the role to hold faith in the town. Mompellion believes when the Bradford’s abandon the village, to be a scandalous act that deserves to be punished by God. Colonel Bradford’s obvious contempt for the villagers at this time enrages Mompellion, as he believes that the privileged have a ‘duty’ to help others in catastrophic times. From the reader’s perspective, this act is seen as ‘monstrous.’ As he is a part of the higher order in the novel, he feels responsible to look after the town. As the plague continues, his religious convictions seem to gather even more strength as he attends many deaths to honour his pledge that ‘not one will die alone.’ Even when the sexton dies, he takes on the role of grave digging. Several events related to the plague such as the Great Burning, ‘To save our lives, I believe we must undertake here a Great Burning,’ cause dramatic changes in him, and it is quite clear that he begins to question the wisdom of his actions. He starts to see that this is not a test of God. Therefore he is no