Year The Villagers Of Eyam Sustains Essay Example
Year The Villagers Of Eyam Sustains Essay Example

Year The Villagers Of Eyam Sustains Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (670 words)
  • Published: June 13, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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In the year 1665, the town of Eyam, which was mostly inhabited by lead miners, shepherds, and cobblers, faced a significant obstacle - the plague. Unlike many other towns and cities in Europe, instead of escaping from it, they made the courageous decision to stay confined. The reason behind this choice stemmed from their belief that this epidemic was a divine commandment aimed at eliminating bad crops. These words were spoken by Michael Monpellion, who served as both priest and rector of the town.

Monpellier served as the initial source of inspiration for the villages, giving them faith and something to hold onto in these difficult times. Despite encountering hurdles, he remains committed to his responsibilities and continues to serve as a symbol of hope for his parishioners.

The protagonist, Anna Firth, becomes more resilient as she faces a challenging s

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ituation in the novel. Acting in accordance with Monpellion's principles, she assumes the role of town Nurse/Doctor after the original physician departs upon learning about the plague reaching Eyam. With Elinor and Michael Monpellion as her guides, Anna stands by the townsfolk and attends to their requirements in their collective endeavors.

The sharing of Michael, Elinor, and Anna's faith with the community helps them endure the crisis of the plague in Eyam. Michael Monpellion is the main reason why the village becomes isolated during this time. When faced with the plague, Monpellion gathers the villagers and suggests a quarantine solution, offering them a sense of protection by assuring that no one will face death alone (p. 106). The community responds positively to Michael's speech, believing that he is making the right decision, and they unite together, except fo

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certain higher-ranking individuals like the Bradford family, who are the richest in town. Despite Michael's efforts to persuade them to stay, the Bradfords choose to flee because they prioritize wealth over faith in God. Eventually, they return to the village, but their social status has been altered, and they are no longer esteemed as they once were.

The townspeople's faith sustained them during the ordeal and some even grew stronger thanks to Monpellion. Elinor Monpellion assumes the role of a mother figure to the town during the crisis, providing healing, guidance, and counsel. In the novel, Elinor spends hours identifying plants and herbs that can be used as remedies for the sick.

Elinor takes on the responsibility of convincing Anna Firth to become a midwife, as no one else is available. She identifies and fulfills community needs, while also providing comfort to the sick and dying during the devastating plague. Elinor's motivations stem from her belief in preserving the safety and well-being of the community. In the novel, Anna is depicted as a resilient caregiver who remains strong despite facing hardships such as losing her husband. Despite losing her two boys to the plague and subsequently falling into opium addiction, Anna realizes that she is crucial for sustaining the town's skills and rises to become its midwife under guidance from Monpellion.

Despite being known only as a servant prior to the plague, her social status does not confine her belief in social hierarchies. Throughout the township's isolation, she emerges as one of the notable individuals, garnering respect from the remaining survivors. Despite lacking religious beliefs, her unwavering faith in herself motivates her to contribute to the town's

well-being during the crisis. Ultimately, the township unites and supports one another to confront the plague head-on, in stark contrast to those who abandoned their homes and communities.

This was only possible after Monpellion displayed courage in leading the town and restoring faith to the villagers. The revitalization of faith played a crucial role in preventing the township from completely perishing. Despite the numerous casualties and deaths, the town's name persists, while the survivors have become significantly stronger in various aspects. This positive outcome can be attributed to the faith instilled by Michael Monpellion's inspiring sermons, which motivated the villagers to persevere and survive the plague.

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