Philosophers vs. Greenwitches

Apr 3, 2018

While reading the first six chapters of Ash, I kept asking myself, “whose voice is taken seriously in the society where Ash is set?” Greenwitches and Philosophers are the two main groups that influence society. Greenwitches are witches that believe in magic, and Philosophers are men that regard logic as the only way to approach life. It is mentioned that these two groups are always in conflict with one another.

Initially, I believed Philosophers had more influence on the society because they were men, but I later realized that their gender isn’t the only factor. Unlike Philosophers, Greenwitches rely on tradition and tales. They also have faith in a world beyond their sight, so it makes sense why the Philosophers disagree with them. It was interesting to read about how people of the society mixed these two ideas together.

In the beginning of the book, we learn Ash’s parents disagree as to what philosophy they will instill in their daughter. Her father believes that magic isn’t real, and this suggestion angers her mother. Since both parents passed away, we don’t learn how they would’ve raised her. I feel as though Ash will choose the magic world, because when her father was sick she suggested magic as a cure. Do you think Ash will choose magic? If you lived in this society, would you agree with the Philosophers or Greenwitches? So far I enjoy this book, and I can’t wait to read the next part of the book to find out what happens next.

5 responses to “Philosophers vs. Greenwitches”

elgriott

April 4, 2018 at 3:41 pm

Initially I thought Ash would choose magic considering how dismal her life among people has been, but the introduction of Kaisa, and the way she’s described as life and warmth and choice in comparison to Sidhean’s death and cold and demand makes me think she’ll choose ordinary human life over the magic and madness of the fae.

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1. kedam07
  
  April 4, 2018 at 11:41 pm
  
  When I wrote this post I hadn’t started the second part of this book, but after reading most of the second half I would have to agree with you.
  
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malyschm

May 13, 2018 at 2:10 am

I agree with both of you: I think that Ash finishes the book firmly established in the human and emotional realm than fairyland. However, I also think Ash will at least always acknowledge that there are creatures beyond common sight, and that they can exert their influence over part of the human world. This perspective increases her awareness of their influence in common daily life, and can let her take whatever precautions she feels are necessary.

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hwseo1004

May 14, 2018 at 4:42 am

I think your question is really important in that I never really thought about the significance of the duality between greenwitches and philosophers. Also, I never really realized how much significance Ash’s choice in the end carries, in that she chose the human world rather than the fairy world. I think it might just be a difference in the type of belief a person could carry, but it could of course have much more importance.

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elgriott

May 16, 2018 at 10:15 pm

During the first half I thought Ash would choose the magic world because of her positive nostalgia toward it (fairytales, her mother, the village Greenwitch in Rook Hill) desperate desire to escape the misery of her stepmother’s household. Ash wasn’t interested in anything concrete, because she really only wanted to escape — understandably, since her home life was awful. Additionally the text implied her mother was fae or linked to the magical realm and that Ash had inherited an affinity for the magical world from her (I’m thinking of all the instances where Ash touches something and gold dust is left behind, or her mother gives vague answers to magic that made it sound like a roundabout admission to being non-human). Also, somewhat tangential, at one point I thought Sidhean was her father, which was why he was angry with her mother/wanted Ash so badly, and why Ash seemed to have a magic about her.

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