All the while reading and discussing this short story, I kept feeling like I was reading a parable from the Bible. Ethan Canin seems to have a style of writing stories which deal with many hidden messages. This story, much like a parable or allegory, has many hidden meanings dealing with morals and politics.
Once Barb brought to mind St. Benedict, my feelings heightened about how this feels like the Liturgical readings I hear at Mass, and how they always touch me in a certain way, leaving me with much to ponder throughout the week, after I leave church on Sunday. Jesus had a way about teaching through parables, so we would not judge others, but so we ourselves would look closer at our own actions. Mr. H., has spent decades going over his past actions, his Mea Culpas, so to speak. Yet, I never really got the feeling he truly did have a change of heart, or change of actions, even after he would admit where he saw he did wrong. I think this is what has bothered me so much about the character, is that his character is flawed, yet he wants to be the molder of character, in these young boys.
I can't help but keep going back to the uneasy feeling I have had in his obsession with Sedgewick, and even his teaching at St. Benedict's. He made this his life. Why? So again, I have to revisit the idea Halcyon brought up early on about him possibly being homosexual. His life and actions for the era would certainly raise questions of a man who never married, lives an isolated life, and is obsessed with a young boy. There are three different times I felt the author has given us a glimpse into the possibility of Mr. H., being gay.
1. Sedgewick, asks if he was ever married, and mentions him making the boys dress in togas.
2. Mr. Bell says, his son had told him a lot about Mr. H., and he may want to keep that in mind. Sounding very much like a threat.
3. Mr. Ellerby visits Mr. H., and mentions the fact he has never married.
I don't think these are coincidences. I sense they are hidden messages. It really does not matter if he is or is not gay, but if Mr. Ellerby, Mr. Bell, or even Sedgwick suspected he was, it is very possible that could have had something to do with him not getting the Headmaster position.
I see the themes dealing with morals, and character building. My personal opinion is that each individual is responsible for their own character and moral fiber. Others can surely influence us in our lifetime, but ultimately, only we can make the decisions as to how we will morally choose to live, which will mold our character. Jesus, like this author, presents situations for us to decide which way we will personally choose to deal with these situations. While Mr. H., may have been thinking his actions were justified, because his intentions were good, ultimately he was no better or worse, than those he was judging to have lack of character. A politician or a teacher, a headmaster or a student, regardless of what career or position, or age you are, you ultimately must decide on what path you will choose in life. Will you do what is right, or will you choose to do wrong? Can one person's wrong, discount your wrong?
I'm beginning to soften, and feel sorry for Mr. H., because I do feel he failed, not only his students, but he failed himself. He denies the accusation of having the gun, and later that evening takes the gun to a distant marsh and throws it in. He says,
“I became obsessed with the idea that I had missed this most basic lesson of the past, that conviction is the alpha and the omega of authority. Now I see that I was doomed the moment I threw that pistol in the water, for that is when I lost my conviction” (pg. 182).
This is where I do believe Mr. H., has learned the hidden message like in a parable/allegory. Mr. Ellerby had to have been told to ask him about the gun. The only two people who knew he had the gun was Senator Bell, and possibly Sedgewick. Mr. H., has to realize later that he was set up to be overlooked for the headmaster position, and to be fired, when Ellerby asked about the gun. Throwing the gun away was his lesson learned, too late. I believe Mr. Bell gave Mr. H., that gun as a part of a bribe, and a future set up. It had nothing to do with a gift a history teacher would like having. Mr. Bell and Sedgewick are molded from the same fabric, poor Mr. H., never saw them coming.
I feel Mr. H., lost Sedgewick's respect and possible chance at ever molding or influencing his character here:
“I did not know at the time what an act of corruption I had committed, although what is especially
chilling to me is that I believe that Sedgewick Bell, even at the age of thirteen, did” (pg. 172).
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/05/22/what-is-a-parable-a-bible-definition/What Is A Parable? A Bible Definition
May 22, 2014 by Jack Wellman 0 Comments
Jesus gives us many parables in the Bible. What is a parable? Why does He use parables…to hide or clarify the meaning?
Parables
The word parable is from the root word “paraballo” or in the Greek “parabole.” This compound word comes from “para” which means “to come along side or compare” and “ballo” which literally means “to throw” or “see” with. The parables are used in giving one or more instructional lessons or principles and can be an allegory and may include inanimate objects (like trees, plants, or things) or people in various societal positions.
There is often a tension between good and evil or sinful and holy meaning that they can proclaim what is good versus what is bad and what is evil in contrast to what is holy or God-like. A parable is often a significant comparison between two objects that may be used as a mirror image of a comparable object to teach a single concept or teaching. Some of the key words that Jesus usually concludes the parables with are phrases that alert the listener to pay close attention to what was just said and may include such words as “He who has ears, let him hear, Most assuredly I say to you,” and “How much more.” Jesus wants the listeners to focus on what was just stated in the parable so that they will comprehend what Jesus is trying to teach them.
Hidden from Some
Jesus clearly gives parables to hide the meaning from those whose hearts are hardened. Some of the parables are hard to understand but they frequently serve as object lessons that use experiences from life to clearly communicate a meaning for Jesus’ teachings. Jesus quotes Isaiah the Prophet by saying “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world” (Matt 13:35). The disciples asked Jesus “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matt 13:10-11) otherwise “they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them” (Matt 13:15b) because “the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened” (Heb 4:2). So we can say that parables were given to hide the meaning from those who choose to reject Jesus and the message of God and to clarify or give a fuller meaning and understanding to those who believed on the Lord.[/color]
Sadly, this story takes place at a school named after a saint, but there are few saintly ones in this story. Ethan Canin has taken man's weaknesses, the seven deadly sins to tell a story, and to teach the reader a lesson dealing with one's own morals and character. For me, it was like sitting in church, listening to the priest teaching us from the parables in scripture. These characters actions are not for me to judge, their actions are for me to learn from. Much like I teach my third grade religious class, I tell my students when they are faced with a situation, and are uncertain of which choice to make, stop and ask yourself...WWJD?
(What would Jesus do)
