The Change Of Writings In Marilynne Robinson's Gilead

Contemporary American writer Marilynne Robinson has explored in her novel Gilead that how the core of religious truth of love could be captivatingly constructed and transmitted in modern times.This thesis focuses on the dying protagonist-narrator Reverend John Ames' s own justifications for his change from his lifelong sermon writing to his current final letter to his son,arguing that his change of writings has shed light on a right understanding of love in the tradition of Pauline Epistles.With the help of Ricoeurian theories on language,especially his theological hermeneutics and his narrative functions,this thesis deals with issues including why Ames intends to change his writings,how he comes to change his writings and what he has changed in his letter.Chapter One focuses on Ames' s own examination of his life-long sermon writing to show that though he is filled with a certain pride in his written sermons,his dissatisfaction is obvious,which may motivate him to change his writings.Chapter Two reveals that Ames' s decision to change is prompted by the strong drive to leave his child son true messages of life and love,and it is encouraged by his wife Lila,another form of true love that he believes to be God's grace,as well as by his love for his own life.The gradual presentation of Ames' s change indicates that in a post-theology context,the letter “from an aged father to a child son” with its intimate tone could melt the awesome religious truth into everyday reality,which self-evidently illustrates the truth of love.Chapter Three invites to see that Ames has transfigured his sermons into the letter form.The letter has a greater capacity for the expression and illustration of love,which imbues it with revelatory and transformative power.It also suggests that a life in devout faith requires exact writing and re-writing.This thesis concludes that the novel has presented two kinds of writings in good faith to the construction and transmission of religious truth in the contemporary world.The sermon form is viable.However,the transmission of faith and truth requires not only the correctness and piety as demonstrated on the pulpit,but also a candid and intimate expression professing from an aged father to his child son with honest tone about his understanding of true love in everyday reality.The openness of faith and truth invites every generation to have their own interpretation of Scripture to illuminate life and to reflect and rewrite truth as if he is speaking to and for his most beloved son.This sheds light on the loss of faith and the desolation spiritual world in the post-modern context.