The novel "One Foot in Eden" by Ron Rash is an extravagant story that draws the reader into a world of despair, forgiveness and the inevitable change that comes with time. The novel is written in the first person by four different characters, including: High Sheriff Alexander, Deputy Bobby, Billy Holcombe and his wife, Amy. The High Sheriff is looking for Holland Winchester, known as a local thug and war warrior. hero. The sheriff soon learns from Holland's mother that he had an affair with Amy Holcombe before her disappearance. Although Amy loves her husband Billy; he cannot give her a child because he is sterile. Amy goes to Holland Winchester, her neighbor, to give him a child because the widow Glendower promised her that he would. The Widow Glendower is a minor character in the novel "One Foot in Eden". However, it plays an essential role. The Widow Glendower is often referred to as a witch throughout the novel, often associated with an evil figure. Many people think witches are dangerous. “For most of history, in most of the world, the prevailing view of witches is that they represent some kind of threat (690 Joshi).” There are certain characteristics that represent the figure of a witch, however, Ronald Hutton states that there is "no general agreement on what a witch or witchcraft is supposed to be". Although in the book, some of Widow Glendower's actions could be interpreted as embodying the characteristics of a witch. However, instead of being seen as a witch or a menacing figure, the Widow Glendower should be seen as part of a traditional era of herbal healing, which treated the sick and received a bad label due to the history. She should be seen as a gentle midwife who wishes to summon life, not take it away. Width...... middle of paper ......tid=12777Kontoyannis, M. and Katsetos, C. (2011). Midwives in early modern Europe (1400-1800). Journal of Health Sciences, 5(1), 31-36. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/845921670?accountid=12777Nolan, J., & Robbins, M. (1999). Cultural conservation of medicinal plant use in the Ozarks. Human Organization, 58(1), 67-72. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/201159123?accountid=12777Rash, Ron. One foot in Eden. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2002. Print.Joshi, S.T. Icons of Horror and the Supernatural: An Encyclopedia of Our Worst Nightmares. Greenwood Publishing Company, 2007. Volume 2. Ebook. Popkin, B. (1996). Wives, mothers and witches: scholarly discourse on women in early modern Europe. Journal of Women's History, 8(3), 193-193. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203245655?accountid=12777