I wrote this in a SAC and got 10/10 so hopefully it can help some of you guys out with ideas
The conflict between faith and knowledge is a reflection of the time and is demonstrated through the portrayal of many of the characters from the novel Year of Wonders. Discuss
Through the historical fiction that is Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks explores the conflict that arises between faith and religion during times of adversity. This novel transports the readers mind to the 1600’s; a time of the restoration and other significant events of the past. It is through these historical allusions that Brooks establishes validity with her ideas that conflict will inevitably arise during times of great difficulty. Brooks exploits the plague as a source of such conflict but also nature, deception, blind faith and human tendencies. Such conflict is demonstrated through the actions of characters such as Michael Mompellion and the town as a whole but also through the choices that specific characters make, such as Anna and Anys. Whilst Brooks attempts to explore the conflict between faith and knowledge the scope of her exploration is somewhat inhibited by her authorial choice of a first perspective novel. Brooks compensates for the loss of viewpoint through the portrayal of the novel in a circular structure. This aids her in depicting a contrast in characters before, during and after the plague.
The novel Year of Wonders is told through the eyes of Anna Frith, a common housemaid. An unlikely choice made by Brooks to, not only subvert the reader’s expectations of a male narrator as the novel is set in the seventeenth century, but to highlight the hypocrisy of male dominance. Brooks suggests that women of such an era were equal of status and knowledge despite the depiction of history. Brooks empowers Anna to demonstrate this idea and it is most evident when she is conflicted with the choice between faith and knowledge. At the commencement of the novel Anna is depicted as a strong confident individual. This is exemplified by her defiance of Elizabeth Bradford. In her actions of blocking the path, Brooks shows that Anna has chosen knowledge and individuality over her previous beliefs which include the supremacy of class distinctions. Through this action Brooks also suggests that faith does not always involve religion but also class distinctions, politics and society. As the novel progresses to the beginning of the plague, within Anna’s home, the protagonist is portrayed as a simple minded, Puritan raised women, ‘Dark and Light... that is how I was taught to view the world.’ At one stage Anna even criticises herself for laughing at something that would be deemed as ‘ungodly.’ Such descriptions of faith are representative of Brooks’ values of faith. Through Anna, Brooks portrays her belief that religion is undermined by blind conformity and the lack of questioning of the merit of its pretence. In order to create an affiliation between the audience and her protagonist Brooks presents Anna with many challenges including an addiction to poppies and the choice to be trained in herbalism. The choices she makes demonstrate her willingness to question faith ‘perhaps the plague was neither of God nor Evil, [but purely that of] Nature.’ Through Anna, Brooks has shown that when presented with choices of faith and knowledge religious conviction and the strength of one’s sense of self will be tested. Anna is the embodiment of Brooks’ views towards faith of any kind and the result of her choices are the values that Brooks maintain.
Whilst the character Anna explores the choices between faith and knowledge, Michael Mompellion shows the reader the disintegration of faith. Brooks exploits the actions of historical figures in her novel as, like the real story of Eyam, it is the town’s Rector that suggests to quarantine the town. It is through this action that a conflict arises between the binary opposites of religion and independence. Brooks portrays Mompellion as a man who has seen the world and the people within it. She instils him with knowledge that exceeds the expected level of anyone in the seventeenth century. Michael is aware of the ramifications of his choice to sacrifice the town however he decides to do so anyway. Brooks instils Mompellion with sinister motives, such as the forced atonement of his wife, that are viewed by Anna, and therefore the audience with disgust. Whilst Michael has the knowledge that many of the town’s people do not, he chooses to follow his faith despite the deaths of the town. It is through Michael’s actions that Brooks explores the idea that blind faith will hinder a society rather than help it. This is observed when the town interprets the plague as a message from God to test religious conviction, rather than what it truly is, an act of nature. This idea is suggested by the tainted words of the Rector. It is through Michael Mompellion that Brooks suggests that when a conflict arises between faith and knowledge one must choose one path only. Michael chose to follow his faith and consequently he was both physically and mentally exhausted. In order to increase the conflict to test the intensity of the situation needed for one to change views, Brooks includes the murder of Elinor. Such an act destroys Michael and he abandons faith however, it is not until the end of the novel, when Anna is fleeing, that he realises a choice of knowledge may have saved the town, ‘it was wrong what I asked of you- what I asked of the town.’
In order to create a true sense of reflection to the past Brooks constructs Anys Gowdie, a woman condemned for her choice of knowledge. Whilst witchcraft wasn’t a major idea in the seventeenth century and was not fully witnessed until the Salem witch trials, Brooks has exploited the idea behind it within her text. The idea that scapegoating is a predominant factor in overcoming adversity is witnessed through the persecution of Anys Gowdie. Brooks creates a forward thinking woman who practises herbalism. Such practises are condemned by the town’s people and are viewed as satanic and to the likes of witchcraft. Despite this the women of the town ‘pined for the courage that Anys displayed,’ none so more than Anna; ‘I am saddened that I was not her friend.’ Brooks instils Anys with knowledge; knowledge that has enabled her to choose science over religion. Such a mindset is an assimilation to the effects of the Age of Enlightenment. Whilst the town is facing difficulties of conflict between faith and knowledge brought about by the plague, Anys is targeted for her enlightened state. Anys is attacked by a mob and prepared to be hung. In her last words Anys criticises the town and attacks them for their ignorance rather than professing a love for God, which may have saved her. Through these actions Brooks is able to explore the strength of one’s convictions in dire situations. The audience is then able to compare the actions of Anys and Michael and Brooks is able to lead them to a state of existentialism. It is while in this state that Brooks portrays the message that people such as Anys should be valued in society.
Geraldine Brooks presents the reader with a novel that displays the effects of questioning one’s morals and beliefs on a person. Brooks has created a plethora of characters in order to create an affiliation between the reader and the qualities of one character. Brooks demonstrates the effects of adversity on one’s sense of self by arousing conflict between faith and knowledge. In order to portray her message Brooks questions the validity of one’s beliefs and thus the reader is presented with a text that existentially challenges who the reader believes they are.
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