In Karen Cushman’s Newbery Medal-winning novel The Midwife’s Apprentice, the character referred to as “Magister” is the village’s male medical authority, a physician. He represents the established, formal medical practices of the medieval period, contrasting sharply with the traditional, experiential knowledge of the midwife, Jane Sharp, who takes on the young protagonist, “Brat,” as her apprentice. He interacts with the midwife and her apprentice on several occasions, sometimes offering assistance, other times highlighting the difference in their approaches to healing.
This character serves several important narrative functions. He embodies the patriarchal medical establishment of the time, providing a foil to the female-centric world of midwifery. His presence underscores the challenges faced by women healers seeking recognition and respect in a male-dominated society. Furthermore, interactions with him illustrate the evolving understanding of medicine during the medieval era, with traditional folk practices gradually giving way to more formalized approaches. His character helps illuminate the social and historical context of the story, adding depth and complexity to the exploration of women’s roles and the practice of medicine in the Middle Ages.
