One of the characters that intrigued me most in the novel is Rev. Mose Ambrose. He is in constant conflict with Grant throughout the novel. What does his conflict reveal about him, about his role in the community and about Grant? Include a quote to support your response. (The deadline to post a response is midnight, July 22, 2013.)
Friday, July 19, 2013
On the flip side
One of the characters that intrigued me most in the novel is Rev. Mose Ambrose. He is in constant conflict with Grant throughout the novel. What does his conflict reveal about him, about his role in the community and about Grant? Include a quote to support your response. (The deadline to post a response is midnight, July 22, 2013.)
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Throughout the book, Grant Wiggins and Reverend Ambrose are in constant struggle with each other. While Wiggins is college-level educated and deems a religious life unimportant, Ambrose is quite the opposite. On several occasions, Ambrose hints to Wiggins that schooling is not very important whereas religion is. An example of this is at the Christmas program. Grant quotes Ambrose as saying, “No matter how educated a man was (he meant me, though he didn’t call my name), he , too, was locked in a cold, dark cell of ignorance if he did not know God in the pardon of his sins (146)”. An additional example is at Henry Pichot’s house when Wiggins discovers that he must tell Miss Emma about the decided death date of Jefferson. Even though throughout this scene Ambrose acts frightened, he tells Wiggins that he “would have the strength (to tell Miss Emma) if [he] had God (156).” Reverend Ambrose’s constant remarks frustrate Wiggins as he has already chosen for himself that the religious life is not for him. This frustration reveals that Grant is independent and stubborn. Ambrose, although “a small man and [seemingly] timid,” possesses “a strong, demanding voice when he [prays] (146)”. This reveals how passionate and powerful he is with his job as preacher to the community, and he will not rest until everyone reaches for God. While Miss Emma is certainly a religious lady, having the reverend visit Jefferson is not enough for her. She believes that Reverend Ambrose can save Jefferson’s soul, and Wiggins can salvage the rest of Jefferson’s life. Because the situation weakens her, she says, “It’s in your hands…I just hope—I just hope—I just hope y’all work together (164)”. As powerfully suggestive as the women are in this book, she acts as a liaison between Wiggins and Ambrose so that they can at least respect each other’s opposite beliefs enough to work together.
- Hannah S.
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