A primary reason for this is shown through the character of Mary Dempster and how she is viewed by readers. Due to the narration of Dunstan Ramsey, Mary Dempster is seen to be a saint who performs miracles. During the start of the novel, Willie Ramsey suddenly dies from an illness and Dunstan rushes to get Mary to help. As she arrives to help, Dunstan says, “Mrs Dempster looked at him solemnly but not sadly, then she knelt by the bed and took his hands in hers and prayed”(Davies 53). As she prays over Willie’s body, Mrs Dempster performs a miracle and revives him. Similarly, when Dunstan was at war, before he passed out he sees the face Mrs Dempster on the statue of Mary. As he describes the situation Dunny says, “But what hit me worse than the blow of the shrapnel was that the face was Mrs Dempster’s”(Davies 74). Before saints are canonized, they are to perform three miracles in their lifetime. Similarly, Mary displays many miracles including saving Willie’s life and appearing on the statue. By making a female character into a holy figure, the author proves to be a
A primary reason for this is shown through the character of Mary Dempster and how she is viewed by readers. Due to the narration of Dunstan Ramsey, Mary Dempster is seen to be a saint who performs miracles. During the start of the novel, Willie Ramsey suddenly dies from an illness and Dunstan rushes to get Mary to help. As she arrives to help, Dunstan says, “Mrs Dempster looked at him solemnly but not sadly, then she knelt by the bed and took his hands in hers and prayed”(Davies 53). As she prays over Willie’s body, Mrs Dempster performs a miracle and revives him. Similarly, when Dunstan was at war, before he passed out he sees the face Mrs Dempster on the statue of Mary. As he describes the situation Dunny says, “But what hit me worse than the blow of the shrapnel was that the face was Mrs Dempster’s”(Davies 74). Before saints are canonized, they are to perform three miracles in their lifetime. Similarly, Mary displays many miracles including saving Willie’s life and appearing on the statue. By making a female character into a holy figure, the author proves to be a