Gilead by Marilynn Robinson - Free Essay

Gilead is a novel by Marilynn Robinson, which dreams backward to myths and memories surrounding the previous generation of John Ame’s life. Gilead is the name of a small town Lowa where all the action in the novel takes place. The story unfolds through a letter that the 70-year-old reverend John is writing to his son. Ame intended that his son reads the message when he becomes a man. Through the letter, the readers learn about the conflicting religious views, family legacy, and heritage steeped in abolition. The author tells the story in the form of a narrative through a written testament. It is a piece that advocates for the need for forgiveness and shows the power of grace. Through an array of questions, thoughts, and memories, John illuminates the issue of mortality with sparkling precision.

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We see the theme of mortality in the opening paragraph where the narrator says, "I told you last night that I might be gone sometime...". He sets the readers up for a reflection regarding mortality, and perhaps a preparation for a good death. The tone of this piece is somber, and it sets the readers up for grief and sorrow in a subtle and pervasive manner.

The theme of death is also seen through the letter Ame’s writes to his son. Close to his death, Ame’s must tend to his legacy and face his mortality. He writes the message as a result of his meditation of old age and dying. Ame’s world's perception is colored by the fact that he knows his time is almost near. Consequently, he feels the need to pass his life lessons to his son. In section 4, Ame’s muses at how imperishable his spirituality is, just like his letters. Despite delighting in the beauty of the world, he realizes his absence is imminent. Dying and old age are hard to fathom, but they encourage patience, reflection, wisdom, and grace. Regardless, John's insightful reflections come at a time when they are not very useful. He will miss his mortal life, but he knows that what awaits is much better than what he has experienced. His sorrow is mitigated in the idea of an afterlife, but sadly, it will still take place below the surface.

Also, through John's thoughts and how the author shows his emotions, the readers understand how he views mortality. John understands the transitory nature of mortal life. He learns this after the death of his wife and child. He knows his son and his current wife will soon lose him and his writes, haunted by the knowledge that his end is near, and it will eventually come to everyone. In section 14, he faces the bitter reality that everyone's life will go after his death. He takes note of how people treat him like he is too frail like he is already gone. He fears that another man will replace him, and even worse if it will be Jack, through his thoughts and emotions, the audience can feel the imminent reality of mortality in John's life. In section 17, the author keenly shows how John feels his mortality. We see him comparing his past ways with his experience at the edge of death. We see this when he says that the forgetful world will trample everything he cared for. When he finishes the letter he is writing to his son, he feels ready for his death.

Conclusion

Gilead is a remarkable vision of life as a wondrous creation. John is severely tested in this article in ways that he barely understands. Ultimately with his little understanding of death, he accepts it because it is inevitable, and everyone passes through the same path.

Works Cited

Robinson, Marilynne. "Gilead: A Novel." (2004).