The
motif of light is one that is discussed in a variety of different scenarios throughout
Gilead, typically being associated
with mysterious connotations, representing beauty in the world. In a particular
instance, John Ames brings up light to describe the moon and relates it to the
human experience, saying that “the
moon looks wonderful in this warm evening light, just as a candle flame looks
beautiful in the light of morning… It seems to me to be a metaphor for the
human soul, the singular light within that great general light of existence” (119).
These two paragraphs seem almost out of place, as they do not really fit in the
stories preceding or following, but rather, it stands alone by itself as a
present thought. In this quotation, the true character of John Ames shines
through, his ability to see light everywhere, even in darkness. His ability to connect
light within various entities shows his interest in pursuing happiness even in
times of sadness, seen in reference to the brightness of the moon contrasting
to the dark black of night, and how positive emotions can transpire over happy
events, as represented when describing the beauty of a candle flame in the
morning.
The
ability to find happiness in a variety of situations is represented in Ames’s
personal relationships. He finds beauty in writing his letter to his son, even
though he knows that his son will read the letter after he has died. Out of
love, he chooses to help his son create closure through being able to have
negative feelings blend into positive emotions, something that Ames never had
with his paternal side. Additionally, Ames’s relationship with Jack shows the importance
that love has over dislike and envy. This is presented when Ames and Jack are
talking about Jack’s father and the ways in which Jack feels that he has failed
in his life and Ames’ only reaction is that he “could only forgive him” after
seeing how “that look of utter weariness came over [Jack] and he covered his
face with his hands” (230). Ames’ choice to end the letter after discussing his
resolution with Jack is what proves to be his motivation for writing to his son, and is how he truly
teaches the importance of forgiveness and love.
Kati, I agree with your analysis of the use of light in Gilead. In addition to the reoccurring motif of light, the motif of water is also frequently used. When John Ames discusses the holy sacrament of baptism, he discusses why baptism is conducted with the use of water. He goes on to quote Ludwig Feuerbach noting that, “Water is the purest, clearest of liquids; in virtue of this its natural character it is the image of the spotless nature of the Divine Spirit” (Robinson 23). Although I have been baptized, I have not thought much about why I was baptized in holy water until now. Those who enter the Christian church, typically near birth, are doused with water symbolizing their purity and new-beginning. A few pages later, when Ames revisits the significance of water, he argues that, “water was made primarily for blessing, only secondarily for growing vegetables or doing the wash” (Robinson 28). This quote shows how important the use of water is to Ames. Ames believes that water, the purest of substances, is holy and should be treated as such. He even goes as far as baptizing a family of cats and recalling how intimate this blessing was. Throughout the novel, Ames revisits many symbolic motifs of light and water to remind the reader of how ordinary yet sacred they are.
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