Gilead Blog 1

Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson: Character Relationships and Contributions

          Gilead is told through direct narration by John Ames. It is intended to be a fictional autobiography in which John records details of his life for his son to read after he dies. Being a reverend, husband, and father, he has many acquaintances and even more stories to tell. He establishes relationships with various others, though the leading relationship here is the one between father and son.

          John, at age 76, knew that his heart was failing and that he wouldn't be around for much longer. He wanted to pass on his experiences, ideas, and faith to his son, but he couldn't due to the fact that his son was still an infant. He wrote down everything he wanted his son to know so that when he was much older, he could read it instead. This tells us that John Ames adored his only son and wanted him to carry on his legacy in the church. This contributes to the novel because it allows the readers to believe that the autobiography had some sort of impact on its fictional audience, giving it significance. 

          John didn't only wish to give his son religious guidance, however. He also aims to make his son, overall, a better person. Just because he can't be his son's guardian in the future doesn't mean he couldn't still try to be his dad in the time he had left. He gives him one valuable piece of advice early on, when he admits, "I got pretty good at pretending I understood more than I did, a skill which has served me through life" (Robinson 39). It's the old 'fake it till you make it' cliche, one that John felt that his son should know.

          The natural instinct to protect ones children exists in us all. Readers can assume that John Ames is no different, which he makes clear during one of his anecdotes. This is the one about the children who spread rumors about strangers hiding out in the henhouses and barns. The children actually believed the tales, and would refuse to do chores that involved going out to the barn. John, fearing that his son would grow up listening to, and believing, these same stories, assures him that "the villain is probably about one hundred by this time, and no longer a threat to anyone" (83). John's fear that his child might be fearful reveals how much he adores Robby and how much he wants him to feel safe and happy. 

          John's relationship with his son is created as a result of the evident undying love that a parent always has for his or her child. At one point, John lists several of his son's attributes, including his looks and manners. Then he comments, "All that is fine, but it's your existence I love you for, mainly" (53). In the end, it doesn't matter how John's son turns out, because he will love him unconditionally. He reconfirms these feelings by assuring him, "I know you will be and I hope you are an excellent man, and I will love you absolutely if you are not" (73). This tells us that the novel, though it seems to be primarily focused on religion, is truly about the impenetrable bond between father and son.

Charming Billy Blog 2

Charming Billy, by Alice McDermott: Character and Contribution 

          Though Charming Billy is based around the death of Billy Lynch, the author effectively develops several other characters to strengthen the novel. One character in particular really stood out to me, and not just because she shares my name. Maeve Lynch, Billy's wife at the time he died, is peculiar in that not much is directly stated about her. The composition of her character is one that must be pieced together throughout the novel, as it is revealed largely through personal actions, words, and outside opinions.

          Maeve's actions help to expose who she is as a person. Maeve is the first person to be mentioned in the novel, and the audience's first impression of her is a good one. It is told that she "made all the arrangements herself" (McDermott 3) for Billy's funeral, allowing the audience to assume she is compassionate and thoughtful. Planning an entire funeral is a great deal of work, let alone for one person to manage. It alludes to the idea that she probably sacrificed her own money, happiness, and sleep for the sole benefit of one person who wouldn't ever know the lengths she went to for him. However, towards the end of the novel, it appears that Maeve gave up on Billy when he didn't come home the night of his death. She seemed to know that he was gone, and instead of holding on to hope for his return, she "washed out his good white shirt" (164). She'd been planning his funeral before his death was even confirmed. This tells me that she takes precautions, that she risks nothing. Perhaps she didn't know for certain that he had passed; perhaps she just wanted to be prepared for it if it did happen.

          Maeve's appearances are mentioned plenty of times by others around her, though description of her appearance is always brief and repetitive. She is countlessly described as "plain" (3) and "bland" (3). The "simplicity"(2) of her wardrobe is also emphasized. Additionally, the number of times she is compared to Eva, Billy's first love, says something about how others perceive her. They're always going on about how "pretty" (17) Eva was, and how very simple Maeve is. Even the light that fell upon her was described as "feeble" and "dull" (23).
          Dialogue is plentiful in this story, yet Maeve doesn't seem to have much to say. What she does say, though, indicates that she brimmed with love for Billy. She tells guests at the funeral about what she did to be with him. She incinerated her father's shoes multiple times simply for a reason to go to Holtzman's, the shoe store where Billy worked. She was willing to literally burn her own family's belongings just for a quick chance to see Billy. This amount of determination matches up with her actions in preparing the funeral.

          Outside opinions of Maeve delve deeper than just the monotony of her looks. The characters also analyze her relationship with Billy. They seem to be convinced that Maeve was Eva's failed replacement. They agree early on that "Maeve was only a faint consolation, a futile attempt to mend an irreparably broken heart. A moment's grace, a flash of optimism, not enough for a lifetime" (12). This means that Eva was most likely Billy's true love and that Maeve was only a brief flicker of support that Billy used to overcome Eva's supposed death. Towards the end of the novel, however, they modify their views of her. The women at the funeral reportedly "all nodded" in agreement that Maeve "would be compensation enough for the beautiful Eva" (162). They stop thinking of just outside appearance and begin to consider internal characteristics. Eva may have been beautiful, but she purposefully broke Billy's heart when she left him, taking his money and pretending to be dead. Maeve had average looks, but overflowed with kindness and determination. 

          Maeve's character contributes to the higher meaning of the novel because she portrays a main theme. "Don't judge a book by its cover" is a common cliche, but this novel utilizes it in a creative and interesting way. External beauty is certainly visually appealing, but one cannot be truly beautiful if he or she lacks internal charm. Maeve is the representation of this internal charm. She is gray and boring on the outside but abundant in what is more important: pure generosity and compassion.