The people of Jocasse are controlled by superstition instead of history, which would help them learn from past mistakes and create a stronger community. Throughout the Ron Rash novel, characters are shown embracing and inviting superstitious ideals. No characters are untouched by the false beliefs propagated within, and without, the area. The superstitions cause terrible things to happen to people and their surroundings. Some are shunned for no reason, except that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. This treatment is indicative of the personalities of numerous characters. Broadcasted high and low, these glorified rumors are commonplace due to stories passed from person to person.
The people of Jocasse have been told superstitious stories all their lives. This creates …show more content…
Those who live in Jocasse valley are impoverished. Most of them are farmers who are badly affected by drought. Based on a local superstition, they kill black snakes and hang them on fences to bring rain for their crops (9). This clearly does not work and brings false hope to the people. Some know that it does not work, but they continue to kill innocent snakes. Another example of superstition in Jocasse is when Widow Glendower gives Amy herbs to help her become pregnant (72). She also tells Amy and Billy to have sex at a specific time and place (74). Similarly to the killing of black snakes, these methods do not work for Amy and Billy. A third example is religion, which gives the people hope whether or not it is false. Everyone in the area is Christian, and many references to religion are made. Faith in God makes people have hope that their lives will improve. In almost every case, this will not