What is the importance of the Salford Devil in the novel, Bowlaway?

The Salford Devil is Salford’s scapegoat, symbolizing collective fear and a culturally charged explanation. The need for a scapegoat arises from the unexplainable “strange creature stalking the fens” (8). In an effort to name and further understand this creature, the townspeople call upon their Puritan heritage. The age-old explanation of evil lurking in the wilderness thus emerges, showcasing the lens through which they understand the world around them. Outsiders are also unknown and considered dangerous, evident in the repeated notion that Bertha may actually be the Salford Devil. Over time, the Salford Devil evolves into a scapegoat for unfortunate events, jokingly or otherwise, growing into cultural figure.