The novel, "One Foot in Eden" by Ron Rash, is a whimsical tale that drags the reader into a tailspin of desperation, forgiveness, and the inevitable change that comes with time. The novel is written in the first person by four different characters which include: High Sheriff Alexander, Deputy Bobby, Billy Holcombe and his wife Amy. The high sheriff is looking for Holland Winchester, known as a local ruffian and warrior. hero. The sheriff soon learns from Holland's mother that he had been having an affair with Amy Holcombe before her disappearance. Although Amy loves her husband Billy; he cannot give her a child because she is sterile. Amy goes to Holland Winchester, her neighbor, to give her a child because the widow Glendower has promised to do so. Widow Glendower is a minor character in the novel "One Foot in Eden". However, it plays a vital role. The Widow Glendower is often referred to as a witch throughout the novel, often associated with an evil figure. Many believe that witches are dangerous. “For much of history, in most of the world, the prevailing view of witches was that they posed some sort of threat (690 Joshi).” There are some characteristics that represent the figure of a witch, however, Ronald Hutton states that "there is no general agreement on what a witch or witchcraft should 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, Widow Glendower should be seen as part of an era of traditional herbal healing, who cared for the sick and received a bad label because of history. She should be noted as a gentle midwife who wishes to invoke life, not take it away. Width......half of paper......tid=12777Kontoyannis, M., & Katsetos, C. (2011). Midwives in 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