Year of Wonders Lesson Plan

How is Anna portrayed as a strong, forward-thinking woman from the beginning of the novel?

The novel starts in 1666, with Anna working and caring for the rector, Michael Mompellion. It is apparent from the start that she is a determined young woman, ignoring her master's instructions and taking control of the household when he is unable to do so. She tacitly confronts the wealthy Miss Bradford demonstrating without words that times have changed and she is no longer subservient to her. Readers learned that Anna was married at 15 and a widow with two children by the age of 18. She describes her husband's death matter-of-factly and readily assumes the responsibility of...