Andre Dubus is known for bringing his life into his stories. This is extremely noticeable in his story, "They Now Live in Texas." The story begins with a drunken drive home from a party. Although there was no car accident, I have to believe Dubus writing this scene comes from the night he lost his legs from an accident. Dubus has the uncanny ability to develop his characters, including his female characters. He is much better at developing characters of the opposite sex than other writers, including Flannery O'Connor. "They Now Live in Texas" does not give many concrete examples of Catholicism, but there are many Catholic undertones.
However, "A Father's Story" is very different in that Catholicism, and Luke Ripley's struggle with it, take center stage. Thomas E. Kennedy, in his research, states that, " Luke defines the parental function as a reflection of God’s fatherhood of mankind." Unfortunately, the problem with this argument is that Luke protects his daughter after she commits an incredible crime, far more complicated than this argument offers. Luke Ripley goes through many hardships in his life, including losing his entire family and living alone in his huge house. Dubus does a phenomenal job of emphasizing Luke's love and compassion for his family, even though they left him. He does this especially for his daughter, Jennifer, after she has committed a crime. He still protects her, loves her, and shows compassion for her.
Luke, however, has his fair share of problems with the Catholic Church. He disagrees with the Church's paternalistic overlooking of women. In opposition to his disagreement of this though, he extends the authority he finds at fault in the Church. "As Jesus forgives the prostitute her sins as she weeps at his feet, Luke forgives his tearful daughter her crime" (Luke 7.36‑50). "In the end, once more like Jesus, Luke allows Jennifer to go in peace" (Luke 7.50).
These biblical comparisons show how Luke perpetuates what he finds problematic with the Catholic Church.
When God accuses Luke of loving his daughter "more than you love Me", Luke responds sharply by saying "I love her more than I love truth." In associating truth with God in his response, he ratifies God’s moral position in his life at the same time as he qualifies it. By Luke equating God with a small "t" version of truth, an incidental version, rather than to the unequivocal capital "T" version, the absolute Truth. According to Luke’s reasoning it matters greatly that God never had a daughter. But just as important, following Luke’s implied reasoning, is the supposition that God never had a wife. And because Luke intimately understands the human circumstance of being able to have and lose a wife and daughter, he will continue to argue with a God and Church that seem unable to understand such a circumstance. While he may never function perfectly in either role, Luke will continue to be a very active, and troubled, Catholic and father, totally interwoven as the two roles have become for him.
I don't know how much this relates, but in reading this all I could think of was the line from one of the gospels when Jesus says "The law was made for man, not man for the law". I feel like in the story Luke really respects the Catholic Church most of the time, but he is more likely to look at the bigger picture of what really matters more: love or the rules of the church.
ReplyDeleteThe ending of "A Father's Story" was really striking to me. I believe it was a bold move as a Catholic to state that there is anything that God can't understand. However, it is important to note that the comment is made to God Himself in a conversation. This reflects the close relationship Catholics feel they have with God.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that although there are not explicit Catholic references in "They Now Live in Texas" Dubus shows strong "Catholic undertones." Dubus, shows that God comes to people where they are, in all of their faults and failings, and still finds them worthy.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, Mary. Also, I think that in addition to finding people worthy despite their faults and failings, "They Now Live in Texas" shows that Dubus understands that the present moment is never too late for grace. I think that this Catholic undertone could potentially be seen at the end of the story (depending on how you interpret it) when she gets up from her revelation that something was waiting for her and moves. This could be seen as her setting into the motion the grace that she knows she has received or is receiving in that moment. While grace is a free gift, Catholic understanding of the world encourages the faithful to live out that grace in their lives, not just sit on it.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I like your interpretation of the end concerning Catholics and grace. I also think that she realized she was waiting for a positive spirit to come to her. As you note, grace-in the Catholic understanding-is not a passive experience. It is part of living and moving, as she gets up from just sitting. She has, perhaps, been physically moved to represent spiritual movement.
DeleteI think the juxtaposition of "the parent who reflects God's parenthood" with the man who is constantly struggling with the faith is quite interesting. It shows how transcendent faith can be in people's lives. We can almost act it as if we're not trying. It is a very natural state.
ReplyDelete"They Now Live in Texas" truly confused me. It was difficult to find many remarks to Catholicism specifically or generally. I did truly enjoy "A Father's Story" and the end really threw me for a twist. It was great to see a father protecting his daughter because I, personally, could see myself doing the same thing. I am protective of my cousins and brother right now. I can only imagine what I would do for my own daughter. I cannot say I would confront God with this and tell Him that I love my daughter more than Him. As the order always goes: God, Family, Football.
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