damnation of theron ware
The real issues in the damnation of Theron ware are not issues of religion, but rather cultural issues. Although the book is outwardly a novel about religion, the question becomes not whether god exists, but how we should live. Theron becomes damned in the novel because of what he is. Theron cannot be anymore than what he is, a simple Methodist minister, yet when he is shown another way of life, he wants to enter. The problems that Theron is having in the novel reflect questions that people were having on religious issues at the time. There is at this point, a conflict between traditional beliefs, such as Methodism, and new ideas. Each of the old beliefs and new ideas take form in this novel through on of the characters, and it is through character development, especially Theron's, that we see the conflict being argued out and solved. Though Theron is the minister, throughout the book he is shown as wanting something more. Even in the first scene in which we meet him, he is wishing that he had received a better position in the church, perhaps a better appointment in a city, rather than a rural town. It appears to me that the conflict within Theron is a conflict of the old ways verses a modern life. The c
While most men who cheat onthier wives would say that they want their wife to be more like the mistress, it is theron that wants to be like celia. On the other hand, theron has forgotten about god, and is concerned with the physical church. This seems to reflect the growing change in the role of the church in people's lives. She hangs on his every word, deeming him to be very intelegent. Though he wants more, it is impossible. Although everyone in the twon knows who she is and admires her, there is not a single person in the twon, save, perhaps, Father Forbes and her brother Michael, that would consider her a firend. In celia's music room, these two images are merged perfectly, with the paintings of the virgin mother combined with the nude sculptures. It is apparent that some of the younger members of the church would like change, however, they are unable, for various reasons, to affect it. In a world that is striving to become more equal, the methodist church seems to be very concerned about money. In effect, it is seattle that saves theron's life. It is interesting to me that it seems that all theron wants is to be accepted, yet he turns from his wife, who worships the ground that he walks on, and turns to celia for love. He wanders about the town whenever he wants, though he is upsetting his wife and failing to fulfill his duties as the minister. Although Celia plays a part in this downfall, it is not his love for her that damns him, it is the society that hse rempresents. This eventually leads to Theron's breakdown and near death experience at the end of the novel. It is theis same simpleness that allows her to believe in her husband.
Common topics in this essay:
Father Forbes,
,
Catholic Church,
Forbes Michael,
Dr Ledsmar,
father forbes,
methodist church,
catholic church,
dr ledsmar,
theron stuck,
rural town,
theron celia,
virgin mother,
celia father forbes,
ledsmar father forbes,
simpleness allows,
simpleness allows believe,
church stuck,
forbes dr ledsmar,
dr ledsmar father,
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