DIS+9

DIS 9

The young curate writes: "The pain was slowly going, but I kept coughing up something warm which seemed to taste of tears... But I hadn't lost consciousness, I was simply a prey to my suffering, or rather to the menace of it..." (P. 217).

Think about the idea of "the redemptive nature of suffering" and the "wisdom" of the old Cure. While he has a very cruel side to him, some critics argue that he embodies a certain practical wisdom and grace. What do you think?

EM: At this point in the story, in the priest's case, it seems there is no redemptive nature of suffering. Earlier I said that I saw the light at the end of the tunnel for the priest, but in these two chapters especially, it seems as though the priest is falling further and further down a dark tunnel. He is lost and misunderstood. He is a point of major contention in the town, has muddled himself in another family's business, and vicious rumours are spread all over town about him. The point in the story where the priest is fainting and throwing up and it seems he may die, though gory, is beautifully written. As we suffer through reading about his pain, we also experience how beautifully written this story is. Yes the writing is on point and the description is remarkably engaging even at depressing times, but the author's ability to so profoundly describe the kind of pain the priest is experiencing is amazing. I loved this excerpt, as it is so telling of the priest's pain--his life at this point is so far out of his control that he is a victim of his own body, and it seems he has no fight left in him. Yet when the priest has hit this low point in his life, Seraphita comes to his rescue and apologizes for her poor behavior. This is a start, as we see one of the priest's prior torturers repent for her sins. Though we once saw her as an evil little child, we know now that there is still love and compassion in her heart. The cure practices tough love, but he often has wonderful advice for the priest--advice that he needs to hear. The priest does need to be shaken from his depression, and he needs someone to be brutally honest with him. GG: Lest you think we are bogged down in suffering, recall that there is the empty tomb after the crucifixion! Seraphita is one of those very hard people to find that redemptive glow in her.

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LD: I agree with Eleanor that this passage in the novel was beautifully written. It was one of the first times I actually truly felt for the priest. I have always sympathized with him to some extent, but was simultaneously still annoyed he was letting everyone walk all over him. It was at this moment when I really understood the pain he is in and the desperate state he has been imprisoned in throughout the novel. In this scene was also one of the first times I actually saw hope for this book. When Seraphita came and helped the cure and apologized for her antics I actually saw a light in this town, which I didn’t see before. I definitely agree with the fact that the priest needs the old cure’s harsh wisdom. The priest is so deep in his depression that the last thing he needs is people tiptoeing around it. I agree with Eleanor that the cure’s “tough love” approach will be beneficial in the end. ===== GG: If you can get through the book, you will find that Bernanos is quite a beautiful writer. It is good that you can sympathize with him, Lizzy. He frustrates me, but in the end, I join you in feeling such compassion for him. It is good to see that other side of Seraphita. Which is her real nature?

BK: The first adjectives that come to my mind about this protagonist so far are devout, idealistic and self-abnegating. None of these traits are really appealing to his parishioners, and even his readers, including myself, at times. Thus far, it appears that the old Cure, de Torcy, is essentially his only friend, and I use that term loosely. While this older and more experienced religious man has a sort of "lough love" approach and Elle and Lizzy have mentioned, I think the narrator needs someone to tell him to stand up for himself and someone to be realistic. A lot of the time, I confess, I feel exasperated with our curé. Other times, his self brought on timidness makes me want to help this young clergyman who so many seem to truly dislike. What makes the novel compelling so far in my mind is the gentle, uncomplaining way the new priest recounts his many failures and humiliations. As his audience, we see his "true colors" in a sense and comprehend that his simple mistakes have turned against him and therefore made the town look down upon him. And yet he remains determined to go out and visit all within his parish despite his increasing health problems. The priest suffers internally, literally with this stomach problems and with his inability to speak out and stick up for himself. But the priest, though he struggles a lot with his own faith, holds strong onto the idea that God will carry him through his struggles. His belief in the redemptive nature of suffering allows his readers to feel this idea expressed in his diary. I hope alongside him and hope that he takes the old cure's words to heart and begins to be the leader I think he could be! GG: Yes - friend, mentor, father figure. The tough love image is good. To confess: I also continue to feel exasperated with ur cure, and I've read this novel a few times.

JR: At this point in the novel, I also pity the cure like Lizzy and Eleanor have said. His pain is obvious through the very descriptive and emotionally evocative writing. The diction used in the novel thus far creates such distinct imagery that I sometimes feel that I am sitting in a corner watching the priest write in his journal or hunch over clutching his stomach in writhing pain. Lizzy began to mention that the old cure has “harsh wisdom.” I agree with what she says and I think that his views are a more true realistic view of what is going on in the parish. It is obvious that he is not going to sit around and pity the young priest but he wants to inspire him- in a gruff way, to get out and be proactive instead of depressed and mopey. Breanna, Lizzy, and Elle felt as if they wanted to help the cure but were frustrated with his inability to take charge, I agree with their sentiments and I have pitied the priest since the beginning. I hope that he will find some inspiration in people around the parish (though it currently seems unlikely.) The approach of the old Cure de Torcy seems like the “tough love” that is necessary to give the young cure the boost to invigorate his mission. I have faith, like Breanna, that the young priest will slowly but nonetheless become the leader that he has the potential to be.... hopefully. I also think that Cure de Torcy is going to be the "redemptive" part of "the redemptive nature of suffering." I mean this in that the old cure seems to be a catalyst to help the young priest out of his suffering. GG: Good to have you reference diction! One hopes something will help this man out of his ennui!