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Discusses the key conflict in the novel "The Ransom of Mercy Carter"

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Discusses the key conflict in the novel "The Ransom of Mercy Carter"
One of the major conflicts in the novel faced by Mercy is that she is battling between becoming an Indian or staying English and not 'giving in' like Ruth. I believe that she enjoys the Indian way of life. It has many new things to offer her like weaving baskets and learning about the natural world. Mercy takes pleasure in having more freedom and learning this very unique way of life. When she lived with her Puritan family she felt so much more restricted because she was forced to be very strict. On the other hand, she has the constant thought that she is dishonoring those killed in Deerfield. Also, Mercy suffers from the feeling that by giving in to the Indians she is sinning against G-d, as well as giving up on her family. The people who raised her now mean nothing, all because these Indians are less strict. That is what Mercy is going through and this sense of guilt is making her undergo a heavy conflict. This conflict is expressed throughout the whole book. Another conflict that Mercy experienced is against Ruth. Ruth is the exact opposite of who Mercy is becoming. She is like Mercy's conscience. She is the voice that keeps telling Mercy that what she is doing is wrong. Throughout the whole story it is Ruth who tried to get Mercy to not give in to the Indian culture, it is Ruth who makes her feel guilty. Ruth repulses every word, craft, or fact that Mercy learns and is constantly scolding her for her actions. Ruth reminds her that by giving in to the Indian culture she is giving up on her family. This makes Mercy re-think what she is doing in comparison to Ruth. The last conflict that Mercy has is religion. Mercy is a Puritan and she was brought up in a way that taught her to fear and hate other religions. She wasn't brought up to be tolerant. Now she must live every day with catholic and Indian believers, whom she was taught to despise. This religion is luring her in and she wants to learn about it, yet she is always feeling that what she is doing is evil.
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