Year of Wonders; While Many Characters in ‘Year of Wonders’ Display Admirable Qualities, Anna Frith Is the True Heroine of the Novel
Madison Howlett
Year of Wonders; Essay
“While many characters in ‘Year of Wonders’ display admirable qualities, Anna Frith is the true heroine of the novel”
Throughout her novel ‘Year of Wonders’, Geraldine Brooks presents readers with many characters that are viewed as admirable in their village of Eyam, during the time of the plague. Set in 1665-66, Brooks creates an environment that many people would not be able to cope with. Numerous deaths and a village that is crumbling around you can push many people to their limits and bring out the worst in human nature however Brooks creates allows characters such as Michael and Elinor Mompellion and Anys and Mem Gowdie to defy the odds and remain admirable and strong throughout the tough time that their village and themselves are facing. Although these characters are seen as admirable, the protagonist and female narrator, Anna Frith, is positioned by Brooks to be viewed as the true heroine of the novel. The qualities Anna poses and the strength that she holds truly shows how in a time of devastation, there is always hope.
Anys and Mem Gowdie are characters in ‘Year of Wonders’ that Brooks positions readers to admire contrary to the opinion of the villagers in Eyam. Throughout the novel, Brooks gives great understanding into the social context of the 1660’s, particularly in Eyam and the views and values involving women. Given the degrading opinions of women during that time, modern day readers are positioned to view the Gowdie’s as two strong women who are not afraid of facing the town as two single women who “were not made to be a man’s chattel”. The villagers of Eyam accuse Mem, aunty of Anys, of witchcraft after she is involved with a stillborn birth. After an attempt to “swim her” the villagers, formed in an angry mob, go on the accuse Anys of witchcraft also after she saves her aunty from drowning. Brooks positions readers to view the Gowdie’s are victims of the angry mob and readers are positioned to
Year of Wonders; Essay
“While many characters in ‘Year of Wonders’ display admirable qualities, Anna Frith is the true heroine of the novel”
Throughout her novel ‘Year of Wonders’, Geraldine Brooks presents readers with many characters that are viewed as admirable in their village of Eyam, during the time of the plague. Set in 1665-66, Brooks creates an environment that many people would not be able to cope with. Numerous deaths and a village that is crumbling around you can push many people to their limits and bring out the worst in human nature however Brooks creates allows characters such as Michael and Elinor Mompellion and Anys and Mem Gowdie to defy the odds and remain admirable and strong throughout the tough time that their village and themselves are facing. Although these characters are seen as admirable, the protagonist and female narrator, Anna Frith, is positioned by Brooks to be viewed as the true heroine of the novel. The qualities Anna poses and the strength that she holds truly shows how in a time of devastation, there is always hope.
Anys and Mem Gowdie are characters in ‘Year of Wonders’ that Brooks positions readers to admire contrary to the opinion of the villagers in Eyam. Throughout the novel, Brooks gives great understanding into the social context of the 1660’s, particularly in Eyam and the views and values involving women. Given the degrading opinions of women during that time, modern day readers are positioned to view the Gowdie’s as two strong women who are not afraid of facing the town as two single women who “were not made to be a man’s chattel”. The villagers of Eyam accuse Mem, aunty of Anys, of witchcraft after she is involved with a stillborn birth. After an attempt to “swim her” the villagers, formed in an angry mob, go on the accuse Anys of witchcraft also after she saves her aunty from drowning. Brooks positions readers to view the Gowdie’s are victims of the angry mob and readers are positioned to