“She was conventionally religious. some of the statements made while she was in her fits (where the sufferer’s body turned temporarily into a battlefield between good and evil, and she was expected to voice godly sentiments) demonstrate this.” (The Bewitchment of Anne Gunter, pg.5)
I found it very interesting when Sharpe had state Anne was “conventionally religious”. By this, I believe it had meant she was the simplest form of what one would consider themselves religious by doing the basics ie. prayer, attending of sermons, and reading of scriptures. Although she was religious, she had still gone through the elongated lie her family put her through as a tool of revenge for her father. There’s a heavy dismissal of a religious perspective on the situation because all in all it is a sin to lie in God’s name and give in to her father’s purpose and sin, pride. Her purpose in sustaining this facade was to upkeep her relationship with her family and put their wishes on top of what she might’ve truly thought was wrong or right. Her moral compass was surrounded around her family and they took advantage of that with examples such as her father taking her to pray in a church as a vow of secrecy between her and her family about the bewitchment. They’ve skewed religion to support a system of filial piety to keep Anne obedient to her father so is Anne truly conventionally religious? Or is she just a daughter in hope of winning the love of her family through loyalty?
I agree that this is an important facet of the book to discuss- especially in the context of the time, when society revolved around religion and people put such high stake and belief in it. The fact that she expresses “Godly sentiments” publicly showcases how religion was largely based on appearance- it was more important that other people witness piety, rather than actually having to live it.
Perhaps it’s the case where both causes are involved. It was the traditional role of a child to honor thy parents, slated as one of the 10 commandments. Also, her knowledge of her father’s resentment towards her, Anne could have just gone along with the ruse to possible ease tension between her and Brian. So, in general, I think it was a mix of both causes that lead to Anne following through this scam of playing victim to witchcraft.