Year of Wonders Essay Example for Free

Year of Wonders Essay Geraldine Brooks work of historical fiction, Year of Wonders, concentrates on emotional and physical conflict and the innate response of the villagers of Eyam at a time of crisis. The novel reflects on Anna Frith, an ordinary resident of the village, highlighting her profound mental and emotional development as the events unfold. With the guidance of Elinor Mompellion, Anna endeavoured to support her community throughout the plague, establishing the archetype of hero. Although the central female characters of the novel, Anna and Elinor, were conveyed as heroic, the majority of women struggled to have any notable positive impact, largely due to the oppression of their dominant husbands. Furthermore, there were a number of male characters who strived to do good, contrary to their generalisation of being characterised as negative and destructive. However, the focus of heroism is drawn towards the female characters. Annas efforts throughout the plague were transcendent, surpassing that of any other villager. The novel encompassed Annas journey throughout the course of events, having significantly more importance to the plot than the plague itself. However, it was Elinor that begun Anna on her journey, helping her see that the good she could do, no matter how trivial, could help others profoundly. It was through Elinor that Anna discovered hope, which fuelled her desire to step up as the compassionate hero of Eyam. She was able to accomplish this by detaching herself from religious ideology, which was the cause of humanity seeing the world in dark and light [which] was how [she] was taught to view the world. Anna was able to fully embrace life, which enabled her to develop a passion for midwifing, fulfilling her characterisation as a hero. Elinors endeavours concerning the crisis, too, was of a benevolent nature. When juxtaposing the two heroines, it is made clear they are extraordinarily similar in personality; they both had an intimate relationship with nature. Although both Anna and Elinor carried incredible emotional burdens, neither relinquished their duties as carers of the village. There had been so much futile effort expended since the coming of the Plague, and yet they continued to support thers, displaying the characteristics of a true hero. There were a number of male characters in the novel who were committed to relieving the burden the plague had put on the villagers, but none more so than Michael Mompellion, the Anglican rector of Eyam. He was a man distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility and strength the ideal hero. This was evident in his efforts as the intrinsic leader of the village, reassuring them that the plague was an act of God, and that [they] must trust in God to perform His wonders. Michaels actions throughout the novel was continually justified as being a part of Gods will maintaining his namesake as being a soldier of God; he was able to embrace what God had given them. With his persuasive aural techniques, Michael was able to convince the community to quarantine themselves for the sake of humanity: Let us carry [the burden] in Gods Holy Name! There was no malevolent intention with this sacrifice; the sole purpose was to help save the souls of the people, directing them on a path of salvation. Tending to those who lay dying from the ill-effects of the plague, Michael sought to help those atone from their sins, helping them escape from the world cruelly desecrated by the plague. Although his pledge that none should die alone had become a heavy burden upon him, Michael continued to do so, proving that, beyond doubt, his communal deeds were protagonistic. The overwhelming majority of women were unable to develop an independent understanding of the plague, due to being fettered by their male kin; they did not make any positive contribution to plague efforts. However, this was not uncommon in the seventeenth century; women were made to be a mans chattel. Anna and Elinor are two female characters who were able to involve themselves in plague affairs: As a widow, Anna is truly independent; Elinor is not constrained by her husband, Michael, when there is potential for a positive outcome to her actions. On the other hand, every other female character in the novel (omitting Anys and Mem Gowdie) is shackled by their husbands or fathers, being unable to claim independence. Women were forced to follow the master of the house in their ideas and values. A notable example is Colonel Bradfords treatment of Mrs. Bradford, who seemed to take a perverse amusement in belittling his wife. Oppressed women were unable to establish their own methods of supporting others through the plague; they were forced to do what they are told. It appears Brooks intended to omit any account of any other woman in the village stepping up as a hero, possibly to further highlight Anys independence and Annas journey to become self-sufficient. In a general sense, it is blatant that the female characters cannot claim to be more heroic than the male characters. Year of Wonders focuses on human response to pandemonium. In particular, the novel highlights how certain characters have the potential to take charge during a crisis, becoming heroes. Anna, Elinor and Michael are among those who were able to accomplish this. Neither gender could be generalised as being more heroic than the other when the plague encapsulated Eyam, though. However, other female characters had the potential to fill the shoes of a hero; their role in society made this impossible. It was only the women who claimed independence who were able to demonstrate a sound attempt in supporting plague efforts.