How do the details Cushman includes regarding midwifery during medieval times impact the experience of reading the story?

One of the book’s major themes is The Power of Kindness. Choose three acts of kindness offered from one character to another, and explore how the story would have been different if the offering character hadn’t chosen kindness. Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Compare and contrast Alyce and Jane as characters. What do they have in common? How are they different?