What are the motifs in The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman?

Fear is a reoccurring idea in The Midwife's Apprentice, since it tends to rule the life of Alyce, the main character. Fear is an emotional response to some type of threat, either perceived or real. Alyce is afraid of many things, having spent all of her time and energy merely trying to survive in the middle ages. Arriving in the small village where she eventually makes her home, Alyce is afraid of the boys who tease her, the people who call her names, and the midwife herself, known as Jane. Alyce fears these things, but having known nothing but fear, she simply tries to struggle through the best she can. Fortunately, because of her survival instincts, she usually manages to win in the end.