English & Literature

Who is Will Russet from The Midwife's Apprentice and what is their importance? The_Midwife's_Apprentice English & Literature Will Russet | The Midwife's Apprentice

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Will Russet, named for his red hair, is one of the boys in the village and is around the same age as Alyce. At the beginning of the novel, Will teases and torments Alyce with the rest of the boys in the village. One afternoon, when the boys chase Alyce to the river she climbs a tree to escape them. While teasing Alyce, Will falls in the river. Afraid, his friends leave Will. Alyce, though afraid herself, manages to save the boy from the water. Will realizes that Alyce is not just a 'thing' to be teased and the two part ways with a better understanding of each other.

Alyce helps Will deliver twin calves when his cow Tansy goes onto labor one night and Will teaches Alyce that being gentle and kind is another way to assist as a midwife. Alyce takes the lesson with her and uses it when she is called on to assist in helping the mothers in the village have their babies.