Paper
As countless people in a third world country fall to the ravages of poverty and disease, a single woman fights to make a difference. Living a spartan life, through conditions far from humane, she helps those who are poor, suffering and sick, with total disregard for her own personal comfort. One might say that this woman is a saint and for many she already is. Her selfless abandon to help those in need makes her virtuous to a heroic degree. Her name is Mother Theresa. By stark contrast, the whisky priest can hardly be classified as a saint. A saint is an individual remarkably free from human weaknesses. The whisky priest however, is the incarnate of human failings: a sinner.
Priests are respected members of their communities and should exemplify what it is to be a Christian. They are model citizens who practice the teachings of Christ and take on the responsibilities of their title. Under the circumstances of an anti-clerical purge in the southern states of Mexico, it is understandable that the whiskey priest is unable to perform all of his priestly duties for fear of his life. To survive, he must lie, cheat and steal to avoid the law. These tactics however, are not new to him. Even before the purge, he is a priest that is hardly good and honest. By requiring a fee for services such as baptism, at a price of two pesos a head, he is no better that the common thief. Families that can hardly put food on the table are asked to pay for a service that should be given, not sold. The fees for his services are most often directed to luxuries such as brandy, his personal favorite.
As a man whose calling is to serve the people, the whisky priest does nothing but serve himself. When the villagers ask the priest to hear their confessions, he unwillingly complies. He is compelled only by his sense of duty and angrily responds, “Oh let them come. Let them all come, I am your servant.” (p. 45) He begins to weep not for their sins, but in pity for himself. He does not perform his tasks graciously but feels that they are a chore imposed on him. A priest’s duties are not to himself but to God and his neighbours. When the whisky priest prays, it is only for his daughter and no one else. The love that he should feel for every soul in the world is selfishly concentrated on the one child.
The service of a priest is not only to the people but to all living things. As the whisky priest returns to the plantation of Captain Fellows, he discovers the abandoned house and the crippled dog. Filled with hunger, the whiskey priest greedily devours the meat, leaving the clean bone for the poor dog. Surely a servant of God will not let the poor beast go hungry? His lack of pity and compassion is quite disturbing to the reader. The whisky priest is only concerned about his own hunger and ignores that of the dog. Man was put on earth to care for the creatures that God had created but the whiskey priest disregards God’s creation.
Sins are considered the frailties of man. One might believe that a priest, a holy man, has few weaknesses. In the case of the whisky priest, it is the opposite; he lives a life in mortal sin.
Firstly, he is as the name implies a man who drinks in excess. It is not a sin in itself to drink, but the means by which he obtains it is wrong. The whisky priest takes the money of his followers to pay for his habit. He lacks the self-control to stop.
Secondly, he commits one of the deadly sins; lust. He lusts for the woman named Maria. In his desire, the whisky priest breaks an integral law of the priesthood and commits the sin of fornication. To make matters worse, his action brings a child into the world for whom he cannot care for. The priest has less worth than that of the half-caste. The half-caste betrays the priest for money to survive where the whisky priest betrays God for lust.
Thirdly, the whisky priest succumbs to the sin of despair – the unforgivable sin. He falls into despair even with the knowledge that God forgives. The priest is, as a character in the novel states, ‘human’, and as a human shares in its weakness.
From a certain perspective, one could call the whiskey priest a martyr. Refusing to renounce his calling, lives as a fugitive performing his priestly services wherever needed. This is only what it appears to be. At the conclusion of the novel, the villagers believe the whisky priest to be worthy of the title of martyr. Unfortunately they only see the surface of his actions. As the reader reads deeper into the thoughts of the priest, the reality of the situation becomes clear. The people see a priest risking his life for his beliefs and the well being of the people. The fact of the matter is that he is doing it form himself. It is pride at work, not the love of God. The whisky priest believes himself a fine fellow to have stayed when the others had gone. He believes that a man carrying God at the risk of his own life is guaranteed a divine reward. It is the priests feeling of superiority and pride that he remains in Mexico. He is a fugitive for all the wrong reasons and fails to recall that it was pride that made the angels fall.
The whisky priest is a man who does not fit the mould of a saint. He is human and has weaknesses as all do. He is a disgrace to his vocation and has forgotten what it means to be a priest. A saint is free of human weakness. The whisky priest however, epitomizes the weaknesses of man. He is a sinner who can only be redeemed by God.
Другие работы по теме:
Power And Glory Essay Research Paper I
Power And Glory Essay, Research Paper I- introduction II- Setting A. How setting shows the main theme 1. the jail scene 2. the traveling scenes III- Symbolism A. How symbolism shows the main
Power Essay Research Paper Power is as
Power Essay, Research Paper Power is, as anyone will tell you, a tantalizing addiction. The natural human craving for power derives from the simple ideals of a genuflecting mass of humanity; bowing, scraping, praising and carrying out one?s every whim. The sheer exhilaration of controlling, manipulating, and yes, even hurting someone is almost too much for out feeble minds to overcome.
The Quiet American Essay Research Paper Book
The Quiet American Essay, Research Paper Book Report Author: Graham Greene Titles of some other works by the same author: a.o.: A Burnt-Out Case, The Power and the Glory, The Heart of the
Olympic Glory Essay Research Paper The medals
Olympic Glory Essay, Research Paper The medals; the five rings; the flags waving in the breeze; the cheering fans; the carrying of the torch; the wonder and awe that is the Olympics. Every four years the world gathers in a specific, distinguished city to celebrate each nations outstanding athletes. These athletes have made a career of their training and have developed a passion for their sport.
Ecclesiates 318 Essay Research Paper Interpretation of
Ecclesiates 3:1-8 Essay, Research Paper Interpretation of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 The Bible verses Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 are Solomon?s words as he is telling of the relationship that we may have with God and of His master plan. We are to understand God?s impeccable timing, absolute control, magnificent grace, and eternal glory.
Power In Macbeth Essay Research Paper There
Power In Macbeth Essay, Research Paper There are many different types of power which a person may have. Some of the time, however, the person in that power is not the best person to be in that power. This is especially true in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Throughout the course of the play, the Three Witches and Lady Macbeth are the people with the most power over Macbeth’s life.
Satire In A Blaze Of Glory Essay
, Research Paper ?In a Blaze of Glory? There is nothing like waking up first thing in the morning and taking a nice, big puff from a cigarette. Some people think smoking is bad for the human body, but there are many benefits.
Sleeping Essay Research Paper Midnight I come
Sleeping Essay, Research Paper Midnight, I come across the sky as I look out the window in my small old house. I reach my head out, as the moonlight holds me down, to see if she was sleeping.
Beowulf Hero Or King Essay Research Paper
An Anglo-Saxon hero is supposed to achieve individual glory. Beowulf searched for individual fame and glory his entire life. His pursuit to become a hero was so strong that it motivated him to take on the evils of the world. Through his encounters with evil he was able to achieve individual fame and thus fulfill the expectations of an Anglo-Saxon hero.
Lycergus Essay Research Paper LycergusIn ancient Greece
Lycergus Essay, Research Paper Lycergus In ancient Greece, the most feared named was Sparta. It was a total war machine willing to take on all comers. They rose above the rest by being well disciplined and educated. The man who brought them this glory was Lycergus. Like any great leader he was very idealistic.
Nuclear Power Plants Essay Research Paper Nuclear
Nuclear Power Plants Essay, Research Paper Nuclear Plants The question of whether the U.S. should have nuclear power plants is very controversial. There are two sides that one can take; however, both sides have their own share of problems. If you chose to not have nuclear plants, then eventually all natural resources will run out.
The Obligation To Die For The State
Essay, Research Paper Travis Randall Travis Randall PS 208 1/31/00 541-21-0093 “The Obligation to Die for the State” In his essay Michael Walzer discusses the political obligation citizens have to their state. In order to have a running community and society you have to work together and make difficult decisions.
Power Essay Research Paper Hydro Power
Power Essay, Research Paper Hydro Power My alternative power source is Hydro power. It comes from water. The oldest and simplest form was the water wheel first used in ancient Greece for grinding grain. The water wheel design was changed by Jean Victor Poncelet in the 18th century. He made the blades curved which raised the efficiency by 70 percent.
Power Essay Research Paper Does the world
Power Essay, Research Paper Does the world belong to the strong? As they are used in this sentence, belong and strong are two multifaceted words. They can each indicate different definitions, changing the meaning of the question.
Price Of Glory Essay Research Paper A
Price Of Glory Essay, Research Paper *A new movie called “The Price of Glory” is opening Friday, March *31,2000 all over. However, this movie will only be out for two weeks, if the
Glory Movie Essay Research Paper I thought
Glory (Movie) Essay, Research Paper I thought that Glory was an excellent movie. It really helped me to understand the importance of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts a little more. I think that Col. Robert Shaw (Matthew Broderrick) had a very tough position the whole time in the movie. More so in the beginning and middle than in the end, though.
Power And The Glory
– An Un-Holy Priest Essay, Research Paper Power and the Glory – An Un-Holy Priest There is uncertainty as to why Green chose to have the priest in his novel, The Power and the Glory, be such an appalling person. Normally, one thinks of a priest to be the holiest being among all people on this earth. This belief is not proven to be true, however, in this novel.
Ghram Greene Essay Research Paper Greene A
Ghram Greene Essay, Research Paper Greene, A Man of Few, Yet Elegant Words Graham Greene a literary master of the ages. A man who took a language of many words and summed up everything in a nice neat, pleasant to read package. As opposed to writing with the elegance of many words, he wrote with the elegance of very few, but powerful ones.
Beowulf 2 Essay Research Paper Good and
Beowulf 2 Essay, Research Paper Good and evil has existed throughout time. Heroes have defended the righteous, as villains were bent on destruction. This story represents these qualities in both main characters. The struggle began when God allowed Satan dominion over the earth. Since then the battle between them has been recorded throughout literary history.
Power Of One Essay Research Paper Power
Power Of One Essay, Research Paper Power of One I did not enjoy this movie. I thought it was poorly done, the camera shots were very basic, it was extremely predictable and ?deja vu?. Since I am no
Faded Glory Essay Research Paper Faded Glory
Faded Glory Essay, Research Paper Faded Glory Hatred between two people who once thought they would spend their entire lives together, the separation of what once was thought of as the perfect family, a financial burden for a person who once considered themselves well off. Divorce is known for its power to rip apart even the most picture perfect family.
Power 2 Essay Research Paper When a
Power 2 Essay, Research Paper When a person has enough power in a society, it gives them a lot of control over certain things. When they have this control, they can have ownership over a person or a thing. By naming someone, or something, a person gains an unspoken ownership over him or her, they are now in control of him or her and it has created a new identity for them and erased their old identity.
The Godfather Essay Research Paper Violence and
The Godfather Essay, Research Paper Violence and The Godfather Throughout time there have always been people who held more power than others. There are many different methods used to both demonstrate and maintain the power which they possess. Often times violence is the method chosen to achieve these goals.
Dyslexia Essay Research Paper The hardest thing
Dyslexia Essay, Research Paper The hardest thing a child or an adult can ever experience, which happens to be a fact is to be labeled by society as an ? ILLITERATE?. This misconception comes about a pre-judged opinion by society, who think themselves capable of classifying people, by either their looks, their money, or their power.
The Importance Of Balance Of Power In
Europe Essay, Research Paper B.O.P. essay Without losers, there would be no winners. Moreover, if there were no evil in the world, then kindness would not exist. This is exactly the way the principle of balance of power in Europe operates. It prevented empires, and helped to aid lesser states in their times of need.
Bridge Over The River Kwai Essay Research
Paper The Bridge over the River Kwai “Who pants for glory finds but short repose: a breath revives him, or a breath overthrows”…Alexander Pope The position of glory is a precarious one at best says Alexander Pope. One who desperately seeks glory will find it only in passing, and in his quest for it can, in fact be consumed and consequently destroyed by it.
Movie Glory Essay Research Paper Movie Glory
Movie: Glory Essay, Research Paper Movie: Glory The movie Glory (though having seen it 4 times) still amazes me. It is a very emotional movie. It is about the fact that blacks were starting to not be
Minutes Of Glory Essay Research Paper Minutes
Minutes Of Glory Essay, Research Paper Minutes Of Glory Essay Throughout the story Minutes of Glory by Ngugi wa Thiong?o Beatrice complained how lousy her life was and all of the hardships she went though. She was dissatisfied with herself and was saddened that nobody ever noticed her. Although Beatrice?s life was a disappointment to herself, she made a decision that would change everything or so she thought.
Movie Glory Essay Research Paper GLORYThe movie
Movie ?Glory? Essay, Research Paper GLORY The movie ?Glory? tells the history and the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. It became the first black regiment to fight for the North in the Civil War. The Regiment was made up of black soldiers ? some were Northern freemen, some were escaped slaves. The leader was General Robert Gould Shaw, the son of Boston abolitionists.
Antigone And Ismene Essay Research Paper Antigone
Antigone And Ismene Essay, Research Paper Antigone and Ismene; sisters torn by family and state. Ismene, fearing her life and the diction of the state flees from her family values. Antigone, with great courage and bound by a strong love opposes the state to stand for what she believes is right. Not that Ismene is wrong, but Antigone holds true to her values to the very end.
Beowulf Character Analysis Essay Research Paper Beowulf
Beowulf: Character Analysis Essay, Research Paper Beowulf: Character Analysis When he arrived at the Danish land, Beowulf was a young man seeking adventure and glory. Beowulf was distinguished among his people, the Geats, for
The Iliad By Homer Essay Research Paper
He Wore Honor on His Sleeve The poem The Iliad written by Homer is the story of the tenth year of the Trojan War. It depicts the nobility and honor given to a slayer in warfare and the humanity that warriors show to the slain. It also illustrates the Greek code of ethics, that was in that time honor. Warriors fought for honor to insure a reputation that would outlive them.
French Revolutions Essay Research Paper During the
French Revolutions Essay, Research Paper During the early 1800s, France was emerging as a violent nation and eventually at the Congress of Vienna, France s fate was decided. It was chosen that they would be lead by Louis the XVIIi, who was a Bourbon, so that the other monarchs would not have to worry about an attack from a French force again.
MS Power Point Essay Research Paper Reflection
MS Power Point Essay, Research Paper Reflection on MS Power Point The Microsoft Power Point presentation that we just completed was a fun project. I learned how to set up Power Point slides while infiltrating animation and sound.