Gilead by Marilynne Robinson Essay

In the novel Gilead, author Marilynne Robinson offers insight into the challenging process of forgiveness through the character, John Ames. As the narrator and protagonist, John provides the reader with an intriguing, first-person perspective on the difficult development from bitterness to forgiveness in his relationship with Jack Boughton, otherwise known as John Ames Boughton, the narrator’s namesake and godson. However, John does not make this progression by his own merit. First of all, he gains perspective into several situations that Jack faced in his life as an adult, and feels empathy for the man. Secondly, John receives wise guidance from his wife, Lila, thereby realizing that because Jack is an ordinary man like any other, he is in need of grace. And finally, through experiencing an abundance of spiritual direction, John realizes that because God shows mercy to Jack, he too must follow that loving example. In Marilynne Robinson’s novel Gilead, John Ames reaches a place of forgiveness and reconciliation with Jack Boughton only by opening his heart to empathizing with Jack’s situations, by following the guidance of his wife, and by observing and obeying the example of Jesus Christ. At an early point in the novel, the reader is given insight into the dissention John Ames feels towards Jack Boughton when he is told that Jack plans on returning home after several years of absence. John says in his narrative, â€Å"I don’t know how one boy could have caused so much disappointment without ever giving anyone any grounds for hope† (Robinson, 72). John’s words carry with them a degree of irritation that enables the reader to discern his dislike for Jack. However, one may begin to notice a shift in John’s attitude towards Jack as he continues to narrate his story, showing an increasing awareness that he must forgive Jack. This development occurs in small increments through several episodes in the story, but the biggest and most incredible shift happens when John learns of Jack’s life outside of Gilead. Jack informs John that he has a wife and a young son. â€Å"I was slightly at a loss, which he must have expected, and still I could tell it was an effort for him not to take offense. You see, the wife is a colored woman. That did surprise me† (Robinson 217). Jack explains the struggle he had in securing a stable home environment for his family, and the negative implications this had on how his wife’s family viewed their marriage. Throughout Jack’s narrative, it becomes clearer to John how Jack, after previous transgressions, has accepted responsibility for his family. This maturity positively affects John’s impression of Jack and he begins to see Jack in a new light. Jack continues to tell John of his endeavors in the hopes of receiving clarity regarding whether or not to tell his father about his family. However, when John is unable to offer any solid advice, Jack responds by saying, â€Å"‘No matter, Papa. I believe I’ve lost them, anyways’† (Robinson 232). John is understandably shocked in hearing this story and can find no other response but to wrap his arms around Jack and lovingly embrace him. â€Å"I could just feel the loneliness in him. Here I was supposed to be a second father to him. I wanted to say something to him to that effect, but it seemed complicated, and I was too tired to think through its possible implications. It might sound as if I were trying to establish some sort of equivalency between his failings and mine, when in fact I would have meant he was a better man than I ever thought he could be† (Robinson 231). John expresses a measure of empathy that he has never shown Jack before and acknowledges how he has allowed old grudges and transgressions to get in the way of forgiving this young man for far too long. Yet it was simply by listening to Jack’s story and by being vulnerable that John was able to reconcile with Jack. However, if it had not been for his wife, Lila, John may not have been at a place in his life to forgive Jack. At the beginning of his chronicles, John, in his stubbornness, shows no intention of forgiving Jack. Nonetheless, as formerly mentioned, the reader observes a shift in his thinking. For example, John records that in his encounters with Jack, he begins â€Å"trying to be a little more cordial to him than [he had previously] been† (Robinson 123). This shift does not occur simply out of a guilty conscious or out of a personal conviction to make things right, but through the aid of his second wife Lila. According to Gordon Leah, Lila â€Å"brings a totally fresh attitude into his ministry and attitudes and becomes a conduit for a new attitude to the one man who has been, as he says, a thorn in his heart for so long, Jack Boughton, the maverick son of his old friend Pastor Boughton† (55). At one point in the story line, Jack says to John, â€Å"So, Reverend, I would like to hear your views on the doctrine of predestination† (Robinson 149). John states that that specific question is probably his least favorite topic of conversation in the entire world, and â€Å"unable to answer the question and aware of the tension existing between [himself] and Jack†¦ prevaricates, until his wife, Lila, eventually, after some thought, answers the question with the simple words: ‘A person can change’† (Leah, 53). Although this comment may initially appear insignificant, Lila’s input into the conversation brings a fresh attitude to John’s closed-minded thoughts. Her words bring about the revelation that forgiveness is necessary in John’s relationship with Jack, and that he must be the one to initiate it. Lila’s words make John consider the fact that although Jack acted irresponsibly in the past, John must give him the chance to demonstrate that he has changed. The place of forgiveness that John Ames is eventually able to reach is not only a result of guidance from his wife, but, more importantly, is also the result of spiritual direction from God. John Ames shows a deeper understanding behind the importance of forgiveness in his life, when he reflects on the opportunity God gives him every time he encounters Jack. He says, â€Å"When you encounter another person, when you have dealings with anyone at all, it is as if a question is being put to you. So you must think, What is the Lord asking of me in this moment, in this situation? If you confront insult or antagonism, your first impulse will be to respond in kind. But if you think, as it were, This is an emissary sent from the Lord, and some benefit is intended for me, first of all the occasion to demonstrate my faithfulness, the chance to show that I do in some small degree participate in the grace that saved me, you are free to act otherwise than as circumstances would seem to dictate.† (Robinson 124) In this passage, John recognizes that while he has the ability to cling to his resentment and unresolved conflicts with Jack, the example of God’s mercy gives him a higher standard. He is being called to follow Christ’s example of bestowing grace to undeserving persons, and to ignore that calling is to reject the very grace that is shown to himself through God. He puts this idea beautifully into words when he says, â€Å"I think there must also be a prevenient courage that allows us to be brave – that is, to acknowledge that there is more beauty than our eyes can bear, that precious things have been put into our hands and to do nothing to honor them is to do great harm† (Robinson 246). John becomes aware of the fact that because God offers all humans unfathomable forgiveness for their sins, he too must forgive Jack. He does not say this in a tone of reluctance or in a haughty manner that would serve to prove his own spirituality, but as â€Å"a positive appreciation of the beauty of the other person, the object of God’s grace and of [his] forgiveness† (Leah 56). John is finally able to express his newfound understanding that Jack is just as worthy of his forgiveness as any other man, and acknowledges that this comprehension comes only through recognition of the grace and mercy God first showed us. When one observes the evolution from resentment to reconciliation that John Ames makes in his relationship with Jack Boughton through the novel Gilead, it seems to be a remarkable and almost impossible change of attitude. However, this development does not occur out of his own conviction to resolve his problems with Jack, or a need for reconciliation with the man, but through several other contributing factors. First, when John learns of the difficult adulthood Jack has faced, and witnesses how he has matured through these situations, he is able to show empathy towards him. Secondly, John’s wife, Lila, helps him appreciate the fact that Jack, like any other human being, is in need of forgiveness and mercy. And finally, John learns that just as God has forgiven Jack, he too must show mercy to this man. In Marilynne Robinson’s novel Gilead, John Ames is able to forgive and reconcile with Jack Boughton through a process of opening his heart to understanding Jack’s story, being guided by his wife on a path of compassion and empathy, and by realizing that he is called to follow God’s example in showing mercy and forgiveness to the sinners around him. Works Cited Robinson, Marilynne. Gilead. Trade pbk. ed. Toronto: Harper Perennial, 2005. Leah, Gordon. â€Å"‘A Person Can Change’ Grace, Forgiveness And Sonship In Marilynne Robinson’s Novel Gilead.† Evangelical Quarterly 80.1 (2008): 53-58.