As Aloma walks down the aisle anxiously approaching the piano
at the front of the church she is met by Pastor Bell Johnson who gives her a
very applicable sermon. All the Living by C.E. Morgan encompasses many
meaningful motifs, most of which are embedded in Pastor Johnson’s very first sermon
with Aloma. Pastor Johnson opens his sermon by arguing that, “we are all
lonesome men” (Morgan 78). Pastor Johnson’s message here is very simple but
strong. Johnson realizes that we are all lonesome people who can only rely on
God. This could not be truer for Aloma and Orren as they have no family and
cannot rely on each other. Aloma was raised as an orphan by her aunt and uncle
while Orren’s family was tragically killed when he was younger. In addition to
their separation from family, Aloma and Orren live on a secluded farm miles
away from the nearest store. Then Pastor Bell tells others to let God’s love
help them just as, “God turned [him], so that [his] innermost heart was all
exposed (Morgan 79). This motif of love is very ironic in a love story that is
unromantic as it is. In the end, Orren and Aloma must love each other again.
Their sex only relationship is not the kind of love that keeps people happy. Orren
never seems to pay attention to Aloma, while Aloma never attempts to improve
their relationship. It is as if neither of them know how to love. This may
because they have been isolated for most of their lives and were stripped of
their familial love. The Pastor goes on to state that, “God asks us to be less
so that others may be more” (Morgan 80). This motif of selflessness goes hand
in hand with the motif of love. Orren’s selfishness is shown through his
uncaring desire of Aloma. Orren is selfish because he will not give up his farm
in order to have a better life with Aloma. This turns their relationship into
something unromantic and unfair. On the other hand, Aloma wants nothing more
than to be a pianist. Her dreams of playing the piano blind her from the harsh
realities of her relationship that she could be trying to fix. Overall, Pastor
Bell Johnson gives his first sermon in the presence of Aloma and his message
could not be more applicable to her. Her battle with loneliness, love and
selfishness are at the forefront of the novel.
The points you make in this post are very compelling, and are exceedingly interesting, considering that the basis of your argument focuses on the idea of both love and loss of love. Your choice to discuss it in terms of the sermon is very interesting, too, as their relationship only results in them feeling like "lonesome men" (78). Their unsatisfying relationship seems to be providing a message for the plot of the novel. Their choice to remain unmarried allows them to not feel obligated to completely please the other person, a partnership where they are not obliged to fulfill emotional obligations but only to be present for the physical aspect. Morgan is attempting to explain to the reader that missing something can provide partial satisfaction, but will ultimately result in a void in personal relationships, as evidenced when Aloma attempts to find emotional support in Bell Johnson, but realizes that Orren’s selfish actions have been forcing her “to rub [herself] out” (79). In an attempt to replace the void left by Orren’s family’s deaths, his actions, selfish in nature, leave both himself and Aloma unsatisfied. The conclusion leaves it up to the reader to decide if Aloma is happier being oppressed by unfulfilling love or if she's happier being alone.
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