Colacurcio reveals just how Helwyse's action ties into the political and religious atmosphere of the story's setting. (courtesy of Dr. Michael J. Colacurcio)

Insofar as Helwyse's mob action takes place in front of the Province House, it both constitutes and symbolizes the threat of direct revolutionary action. But insofar as it exists "opposite" the Province House-in front of or perhaps even inside the old South Church-it stands for the religious validation of a 'Popular' (or at least anti-royal) [political] party (447).