English: Year of Wonders

ENGLISH: YEAR OF WONDERS ‘Year of Wonders demonstrates that crisis brings out the darker side of human nature.’ Discuss. Geraldine brooks’ historical fiction novel Year of Wonders demonstrates that although crisis brings out the darker side of human nature, it also invokes heroism and benevolence in the face of turmoil. Brooks’ also conveys that a crisis can transform people and broaden their perception. The novel explores the era of the bubonic plague in England in the year 1666 through the subjective narration of Anna Frith, a working class widow. The plague, otherwise known as ‘The Black Death’ follows the Restoration period, which is the framework for the Age of Enlightenment, whereby strongly religious Puritans unwounded their moral and religious boundaries, and the concept of reason and freedom of superstition was justified. Year of Wonders magnifies the dark side of human nature through characters that are unable to challenge their boundaries and, as a result, are exploited by their own confined ideologies. However the unfolding of events also foreshadows the altruistic and benevolent viewpoints to be taken as the crisis escalates, as Anna Frith and Elinor Mompellion harbour a heroic approach to the crisis. Brooks’ outlines the way in which a crisis can catalyse a change in beliefs and perception through loss of faith and Anna’s rebirth in the end. Brooks imposes a crisis on the village that acts as a catalyst to divulge the darker constituents of human nature that is provoked by confined ideology. As the village of Eyam is exposed to pestilence and mounting numbers of death, the inhabitants demonstrate profound reluctance to challenge the societal and religious conventions surrounding them, and in turn resort to irrational measures and selfish exploitation. Financial exploitation of the afflicted is demonstrated by Josiah Bont, Anna’s stepmother, as he seeks profit by digging graves for grieving families. Selfish measures are also taken by Aphra Bont, Anna’s stepmother, who impersonates Anys Gowdie in the form of a ghost and trades charms for money. Ironically, Aphra soon becomes consumed by witchcraft when she bears the loss of her family, as well as her youngest daughter Faith. Aphra’s ‘madness’ and grievance clouds her rationality completely. Through this, Brooks’ portrays the struggle of being struck with a crisis and the inability to challenge the social and religious conventions engulfing one’s environment. As the village’s inhabitants only perceive the world myopically and within the realms of religious dogma, they are bound by prospects which only work to reveal their darker nature in the face of turmoil and destruction. Their inability to broaden their perspectives on the world leaves them confined to an omnipresent God’s words and wavering faith as the crisis escalates. Therefore, the crisis acts as an extended metaphor that demonstrates the way in which humans naturally respond to tragedy and turmoil. Year of wonders conveys the idea that one’s response to disaster is usually based on their beliefs and ideologies at the time. The novel also conveys one’s ability to challenge and question their beliefs as opposed to submissively accepting them, and the exposure of a darker nature when they are unable to do so. The crisis engulfing Eyam invokes altruism, bravery and rise of feminine responsibility in a phillocentric and religious society, thus revealing the benevolent side of human nature in times of crisis. Anna Frith, a working class female widow, rises to the challenges provoked by the plague as she works in conjunction with Elinor Mompellion to fulfil philanthropic goals. She conveys true altruism in a time of crisis as she learns herb lore and seeks remedies alternative to religious guidelines. ‘This Plague will make heroes of us all, whether we will or no.’ This quote is especially accurate for Anna, who demonstrates immense courage as she progressively questions and challenges religious dogma as the crisis worsens. Challenging socially accepted beliefs and turning to external measures such as herb lore contributes to superstition in the novel, and those who seek measures alternative to religious guidelines are dismissed as witches. Therefore Brooks’ conveys the benevolence that is catalysed by a destructive force. The crisis also invokes a rise in feministic roles as Anna and Elinor actively harbour responsibility and philanthropy in a male-dominant era. This is illuminated in ‘among those that go down the pit’ where Anna and Elinor venture into a mine, a highly masculine task which takes bravery to perform. This highlights the heroism brought forth by the plague and the evolving rise to challenges. Thus, Brooks’ establishes the notion that although a crisis is destructive to people and can provoke a desolate atmosphere, it can also reveal the better side of human nature and the ability to respond adequately when faced with a challenge. Brooks’ conveys the idea that a crisis can catalyse a transformation in one’s ideologies and broaden their perceptions of the world. Although the plague that strikes Eyam is a destructive force which provokes insanity, as well as numerous deaths, it allows for a transformation in beliefs and perceptions. Anna Frith, whom already possesses a wavering sense of faith, is eventually dismissive of religious dogma as the pestilence intensifies. Although she is faced with the loss of her husband, Sam, and two children, Anna is enabled to discover conventions external to the societal and religious standards of Eyam. ‘Good yield does not come without suffering; it does not come without struggle, toil, and, yes loss.’ Despite the mounting tallies of death and grievance, Anna overcomes the struggles and turmoil provoked by the plague and produces philanthropic goals, as well as broadening her knowledge of the outside world. The plague is the force that impels Anna out of Eyam’s boundaries, both psychologically and physically, as she eventually leaves Eyam and expands her knowledge of natural sciences and simultaneously raises her two children. Moreover, Brooks’ utilizes a crisis in the form of a plague to convey the notion that mankind, when faced with tragedy, can be impelled to modify their existing beliefs and challenge their perceptions. The author enforces the plague to illustrate that, through demolition; one can be forcefully prone to alter common ideologies which would not otherwise be challenged. Moreover, Brooks’ establishes the notion that not only can a crisis force the revelation of a darker nature, but also benevolence and bravery. Year of wonders demonstrates that mankind is impelled to respond to crisis either positively or negatively, and the response will be based on one’s ability to question and challenge common ideologies and rise to responsibility, as well as seek alternative remedies outside the realms of the norm. .

Load more