Due to the fact that John has three sweethearts that he is deciding which to marry, he creates a test for them so that he could make up his mind.

He can only marry one of them and so he needs to decide who it will be.

The story involves John being the high-status individual, and the girls being lower status. Immediately, there is a gender imbalance that is presented in the story, as the girls are essentially competing for his affection. He is given status over these girls.

John is basically making the girls do whatever he wants when he convinces Mary to go to the graveyard and get the walking stick that will allow her to marry John.

The story also has an interesting religious aspect to it, and this is in relation to the material about the Holy Water.

“The Blood-Drawing Ghost” is a very conformist piece of literature as it is closely in line with both Christianity and the powerful role that men have in society in relation to women. The Holy water that is contained in the story is an indication that God can protect people from evil. The story provides a look into what is considered to be religious.

Essentially, with the protection of Holy water, people would not have to suffer from the evil that surrounds them. Also, John is saved by Mary, who feeds him the bloody porridge and then makes them have Holy water in their house after they are married.