Anna's stepmother, Aphra, is responsible for the spread of pagan mysticism throughout Eyam. Anna might not give much credence to the actual belief system, but she rightfully sees it as an irrational expression of fear and pain in the face of unthinkable circumstances.

Despite Anna's soul-searching, Aphra is never able to forgive her. Interestingly, this passage suggests that she's angry with Anna because she chose a different family—the Mompellions—over her own. Does that idea change your perception of Aphra?

Elinor is proud of how much Anna has grown as a woman over the Year of the Plague. She's gone from a nervous widow to a self-possessed leader. Quite the shift. Although she might wish that this had happened in a less traumatic way, she's grateful for her new lease on life.