Justice and Vengeance

    Throughout the novel, we get an opportunity to examine how each character views justice and vengeance. By revealing how characters interpret these two issues, Sedgwick reveals important information regarding each person’s character. Magawisca and Everell are two characters who often express their views on justice and vengeance.
    Sedgwick first alluded to Magawisca’s character when Mononotto and his tribe of Pequod and Mohawks captured Everell and Faith Leslie. Magawisca argued that enough justice had been served after Everell’s mother and siblings were murdered. Unlike her father, Magawisca showed limits to her perception of vengeance. This could have been due to the pressures Mononotto faced from his tribe after the massacre at Bethel. Magawisca again rebelled against her father when she sacrificed her arm to spare Everell. This act revealed that she would rather suffer than see an unjust punishment dealt to an innocent victim.
    Everell showed similar character traits as Magawisca when he plotted for her escape from the Boston dungeon. When Sir Philip visits Magawisca to provide a means of escape, Digby and Everell are plotting a way to free her as well. Digby advises Everell of the dangers associated with the task, but Everell says he would rather die than see Magawisca lose her life. Everell shows he is as selfless as Magawisca.