Research Paper Final Draft

Religion and Sexuality in The Damnation of Theron Ware

Romans chapter twelve verse two says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This verse explains that people should improve in their knowledge and become mentally able rather than follow the ways of the world and let others affect the way they live such as the minister in the following novel. Theron Ware was a Methodist minister who was suddenly appointed to a small town named Octavius where he would become the new head priest. It was in this small community that Theron met the four people who would ultimately lead him down the road to destruction because of their current thoughts and ideas as well as the exotic religion which aroused curiosity and temptation within the young priest. In The Damnation of Theron Ware Frederic portrays the fact that people may stray from their beliefs and moral standing by disregarding their responsibilities and losing their principles due to the influence of their critical peers and the conflict of judgmental societies as well as symbols of religion and sexuality in the novel.

Reverend Theron Ware has become disillusioned and confused in his beliefs because of the influences of the critical and overconfident Father Forbes as well as the retired and ruthless Doctor Ledsmar. For instance, Forbes has been believed to “know the higher biblical criticism but is on occasion extremely arrogant in his pastoral work” (Oehlschlaeger 245). Through Forbes’ brash attitude it is demonstrated that he is a selfish man who does not carry out his pastoral duties and who has lost the respect for other human beings (Oehlschlaeger 245). Father Forbes’ knowledge and serious criticism on biblical topics caused Theron’s intellectual world to be opened up which challenged his religion in many ways such as his understanding of Abraham. Another example of Theron’s damnation was seen when he was invited to Ledsmar’s house for the first time when he observed that “the Doctor examine[d] his servants, toke their pulse…explaining that he [was] loading the man with doses of opium…all in the interests of science” (Raleigh 216). Through Ledsmar’s actions it was confirmed that he was an extremely cruel and inhuman retired scientist who lived his Life based on the trials and errors of experiments (Urbanczyk 48). Along with the Doctors behavior, his thoughts about science and history also impacted the Minister in a way that caused his perception of Christianity to change drastically because of his lack of understanding in those areas. Therefore, Doctor Ledsmar and Father Forbes’ serious religious, scientific, and historical views cause Theron Ware to stray from his own Methodist beliefs.

Along with Father Forbes and Dr. Ledsmar, Celia Madden’s artistic abilities and strong opinions about religion also caused Theron to become more imaginative and doubtful about his faith. For example, When Theron Ware first met Celia he observed that she was “a tall, handsome, confident woman, swift of tongue and apprehension appearing…the most learned, able to paint pictures, care wood, and speak in diverse languages…” (Frederic 89). Due to her good looks and confidence Celia presented art and beauty in a way that conflicted with Theron’s Methodist principles (Raleigh 218). Because of her passion for art Celia was influencing Theron with her current thoughts and beliefs which caused him to gain interest in these new subjects and lose focus on his religion and the church. In addition to her physical appearance Celia also commented on her religion by saying, “I find myself much more in sympathy with the Greek thought, the Greek theology of the beautiful and the strong, the Greek philosophy of Life…” (Frederic 99). Due to Celia’s Pagan beliefs and way of life she did not care for the doctrinal substance or discipline of the Catholic or Methodist Church (Urbanczyk 50). Because of her viewpoint and thinking about religion, Celia encouraged Theron to become more artistically and romantically inept in order to disconnect him with his faith. Therefore, Celia Madden’s creativeness and freedom caused Theron Ware to become more inventive and lose his focus of his religious responsibilities.

Sister Candace Soulsby also caused Theron to disregard his moral standings by introducing his into the game of deceit and because of her determination and cunning attitude toward him. For instance, a description of Sister Soulsby was said to be that “she was a shameless manipulator. She [was] cunning, [knew] exactly what she want[ed] to get out of people and… (Aubrey 1). Through her perseverance and strength it was shown that Soulsby was eager to engage Theron into the dishonesty that fueled her own life as a “conman” (Urbanczyk 49). Because of Sister Soulsby’s trickery and fraud Theron became engrossed with this style of living and as a result lost some of his ethics and standards. In addition to her strength and determination Soulsby was also portrayed as having the “voice of shrewd, pragmatic wisdom and [was] possessed of a genius for getting things done” (Raleigh 221). Through her common sense and persuasion Sister Soulsby convinced Theron that is was acceptable to tell calumnies and falsehoods in order to help others (Raleigh 226). Theron Ware had fallen from his innocence as a minister by believing in Soulsby’s logic and opinions about right and wrong. Therefore, Sister Soulsby’s insistence and firmness toward Theron’s change of perception caused him to lose his moral and principles.

The characterization of Father Forbes, Doctor Ledsmar, Celia Madden and ultimately Sister Soulsby impacted the way that Reverend Theron Ware perceived the world around him. The Minister was influenced socially, mentally, and spiritually by the various acquaintances that helped him stray off the path of righteousness. The conflicts he faced in his judgmental society were with the Catholic Church, within himself, and with Sister Candace Soulsby.

The Methodist Church was a controlling and judgmental congregation which presented a struggle between Theron and Alice Ware in a way that pushed them into defying the church. For example, when the minister and his wife first moved to the town of Octavius, they soon came to realize that "It wasn’t a mistake at all, our getting no milk yesterday or the Sunday before. It seems that that's the custom here, at least so far as the parsonage is concerned” (Frederic 8). Because of their strict supervision, they could enforce the beliefs of the church onto its members such as to forbid Sunday milk (Frederic 107). Through their power and influence the Methodist Church would impose their way of life on others which would cause them to reject their teachings and seek other outlets for their religion. Another example of the conflict between the church and the Wares was when the minister had first met with the trustees and Alice was asked to “take them flowers out of her bunnit afore next Sunday” (Frederic 17). The trustees’ serious cautioning of Alice’s flowers demonstrated their influence upon the official and public action of the church goers without a doubt (Frederic 108). Through their dominance and authority, the trustees invaded the lives of their worshipers and controlled their actions which in turn caused them to lose interest in the church. Therefore, Theron and Alice Ware wanted to reject the wisdom of the Methodist Church because of its critical and governing parishioners.

The Internal conflict which enhanced Theron’s downfall and his loss of morals consisted of his lack of confidence in his learning abilities as well as his curiosity of art and beauty. For instance, when Theron would reflect to himself he would feel that he was being “diminished by the sophistication, learning and worldliness of his new friends, the priest and the doctor…” (Urbanczyk 48). Because of the Minister’s belittling and lack of assurance in his capabilities as a minister, he was deeply troubled and felt as though he was the most ignorant man alive (Frederic 128). Theron Ware was not confident in his skills and his constant need to learn new ideas hindered him from growing spiritually and ultimately caused his to lose focus in his faith. In addition to Theron’s self doubts, he also had trouble dealing with “his inherent weakness, his pride, ambition, intellectual interests, sexual appetite…” (Urbanczyk 41). The Minister’s apparent flaws and his attraction and passion for art enhanced his loss of morals because of his reliance on his own personal feelings rather than his belief in religion (Raleigh 214). Through Theron’s excitement for art, it was understood that he was more interested in intuition and beauty to maintain his religious beliefs and moral judgment. Therefore, The Minister’s lack of confidence in his intellectual abilities as well as his curiosity of beauty and nature caused him to lose all reason and focus on his religious responsibilities.

The last person who effected Theron’s judgment was Sister Soulsby who tricked Theron into believing that lying and cheating was acceptable which caused him to lower his moral standings. For example, Soulsby was the woman “who touched Theron ‘s weakest point, immobilizing his moral faculties with a vision of…” (Aubrey 1). Through her persuasion Sister Soulsby was able to convince Theron that pretending and deviousness was a suitable way of solving a problem (Aubrey 2). Soulsby’s cunning attitude proved that she could manipulate who ever she wanted and this also showed how different her principals and beliefs were from the Minister’s. In addition to her cleverness Sister Soulsby did not care for Theron’s moral integrity because she wanted “him to emulate her and become a good fraud, manipulating people for…” (Aubrey 1). Because Theron’s thoughts and feelings were irrelevant to Soulsby she only had her own goal in mind and unfortunately was a tremendous influence on him (Aubrey 2). The conflict between Sister Soulsby and Theron was mainly because of their contrasting views which caused him to reduce and change his moral integrity. Therefore, Theron lost his sense of reason and judgment because of his abundant influence by Sister Soulsby and her constant reference of falsehoods and lying.

The struggles that the Minister faced between the Methodist Church, within himself, and with Sister Soulsby caused him to degenerate as a priest and husband. These things influenced him in a way that made him feel unsure about his abilities and confused in his faith which encouraged him to leave his ministry. The symbolism of the Catholic Church and Celia Madden pose as religious and sexual temptations to the Minister.

Catholicism was an important symbol in the novel which encouraged Theron Ware’s curiosity about its meaning and importance which in result led to his stray of the Methodist Church. For instance, the Catholic Church became a "highly dangerous double or mirror of Theron's perverse desires..." (Lovett 195). Through his inquisitiveness the church became a transgressive object of obsession and desire for the minister (Lovett 196). Because of Theron's lack of experience and knowledge about the Catholic Church he became more and more engrossed in its teachings and importance. In addition to the Ministers desires the Catholic Church also became "a strand in a complex web of temptations for..." (Lovett 197). Through Theron's lack of understanding about the church, it encouraged him to focus more of its teachings and less on his own Methodist principles and morals. Because of the Minister's interest in the Church is was "the lamp which illuminated the way to his Damnation..." (Lovett 196). Therefore, Theron Ware curiosity about the Catholic Church and its teachings caused him to lose focus of his own congregation and Methodist religion.

Along with Catholicism Celia Madden was a symbol of Theron Ware’s artistic and sexual appetite which caused him to lose sight of his religion by disregarding his expectations and duties to be with her. For example, the beautiful Irish Celia was also described as a “temptress and seducer, only aesthetically seduc[ing] Theron and has no design to commit adultery with him” (Urbanczyk 51). Because of Celia’s attitude and emotions for Theron she played the role of temptress without actually engaging him physically (Oehlschlaeger 242). Through Celia’s allusiveness she was merely teasing Theron and causing him to lose focus of his religious duties and expectations in order for him to give her the attention she craved so desperately. In addition to Celia Madden’s attractiveness she was also the symbol of Theron’s “replacing of God in the sanctuary of [his] soul, yet she [was] also the ideal of his lustful and erotic fantasies” (Urbanczyk 53). Through Celia’s sensuality and pagan ideals of femininity she became a symbol for Theron’s sexual curiosity (Urbanczyk 52). Celia Madden used her sexuality as a tool to control and captivate Theron Ware’s attention which caused him to disregard him duties to the church and his family. Therefore, the Minister lost his devotion to his religion and neglected his responsibilities due to the sexual emotions he felt toward Celia which distracted him for the world.

In The Damnation of Theron Ware Frederic portrays the fact that people may stray from their principles and moral judgment by neglecting their obligations and losing their beliefs due to the impact of the conflict of judgmental societies and disapproving peers as well as symbols of sensuality and religion in the novel. Theron Ware derailed from his path of righteousness because of certain influences and thoughts that he encountered in his life. He endured many struggles and conflicts which caused him to become confused and ultimately baffled about his Methodist beliefs and views. Eventually the Minister fell from his place of innocence because of the different things that he succumbed to and accepted to believe. A lesson that people could learn from this novel is the fact of not let others influence their lives in negative ways that could cause them to lose their integrity and moral standings. People should not conform to the ways of the world and all its splendor but rather keep focus on the more important things such as their faith in the Lord.


Works Cited

Frederick, Harold. The Damnation of Theron Ware. New York: Penguin Books USA Inc, 1986.

Raleigh, John Henry. “The Damnation of Theron Ware.” American Literature. 30:2. 1958:210-217. Academic Search Premier. Ebscohost. Biola University. La Mirada, CA. 15 Feb.2008. http://search.ebscohost.com.

Lovett, Robert Morss. “Harold Frederic.” The Damnation of Theron Ware. 1924: i-xiii. Rpt in. Nineteenth Century Literature Criticism. Ed. Laurie Lanzen Harris. Vol. 10. Detroit: Gale Research Company,1985.195-197.

Urbanczyk, Aaron. “A ‘Study of Church in America’: Catholicism as Exotic Other in The Damnation of Theron Ware.” Religion & the Arts. 10:1. 2006:39-58. Academic Search Premier. Ebscohost. Biola University. La Mirada, CA. 15 Feb.2008. http://search.ebscohost.com.

Oehlschlaeger, Fritz. “Passion, Authority, and Faith in The Damnation of Theron Ware.” American Literature. 58:2. 1986:238-255. Academic Search Premier. Ebscohost. Biola University. La Mirada, CA. 15 Feb.2008. http://search.ebscohost.com.

Aubrey Bryan. “The Damnation of Theron Ware.” Novels for Students. Vol. 22. 2006:1-3. Literature Research Center Orange County Public Library. CA. 23 Feb. 2008. .

"In Another Country" Reflection

In Another Country

While reading “In Another Country” by Ernest Hemingway is noticed a significant amount of characterization between characters in the short story. I recognized internal and external conflicts. I also noticed a large amount of symbolism throughout the story which represented some of the struggles people faced during World War I.

The Narrator of the story happened to be the main character and he presented the story in 1st person. He was an officer who had been injured during the war and could no longer participate in battle. Even though he had suffered hardship he did not become bitter from the war unlike another character, the major. He had gotten injured during the war and “had a little hand like a baby’s” (Hemingway 731). The major did not have self-control and would speak angrily at people, he had a bad temper. The major and the narrator were quite different in character, but similar in their situations in the world. They were both wounded officers who were detached from society and their communities.

Symbolism was also seen throughout the story such as the reference to the cold war, the machines, and hunting hawks. The hunting hawks represented the men who were brave and courageous in battle. They risked their lives during the hard cold war.

Internal and External conflicts were seen in the story. An external conflict was shown when the other boys who were injured had discovered that the narrator received his medals because he was an American. They changed their manner with him and did not respect him in the same way as before. An internal conflict was displayed when the narrator was walking home one night and “[he] knew that [he] would never have done such things…afraid to die” (Hemingway 733). This shows that the narrator was struggling with the fact that he was not as brave as his peers.

Frontier Reflection

The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

While reading “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” I noticed a certain element of characterization. I also noticed the distinct writing style of Mark Twain and how it is humorous and included diction.


Characterization seems to be an important part of this story in the way that the author portrays his characters and their personalities. For example, when the author is describing Smiley he says, “Any way that suited the other man would suit him-any way just so’s he got a bet, he was satisfied. But still he was lucky, uncommon lucky; he most always come out winner” (Twain 526). This shows that Smiley was a gambler and a very tricky man who would try to bet people out of their money. Another character that is described is the narrator. When the narrator had just finished hearing the story of Jim Smiley and all of his crazy antics, he began to listen to the tale of his strange cow, “‘[the narrator] did not wait to hear about the afflicted cow, but took [his] leave’” (Twain 529). This shows that the narrator was a very educated and sophisticated man and that he did not have time to listen to the nonsense that Wheeler was telling. For this reason he left the room and left Wheeler talking by himself.


Twain’s writing is quite informal and has been given an element of humor and diction. An example of this is shown when Smiley starts to wonder what is wrong with Dan’l Webster, his frog and says, ‘“I do wonder what in the nation that frog throw’d off for-I wonder if there ain’t something the matter with him-he ‘pears to look mighty baggy…”’(Twain 529). Through Smiley’s dialect we can understand his personality and the confusion that he is in. Little did he know that his frog had been sabotaged and weighed down by bullets. Therefore, this story had an abundant amount of characterization. It also has a great deal of diction, along with some humor.

Reflection

The Outcasts of Poker Flat


When reading “The Outcasts of Poker Flats,” I noticed an abundant amount of characterization between the different characters in the short story. I also saw a good amount of imagery of the setting along with a certain essence of irony. Another concept that struck me as interesting was the main character’s view of Fate and Luck.

Mr. Oakhurst was a successful gambler who lived his life according to poker and Luck. Mrs. Oakhurst or the “Duchess,” was a kind woman who cared for the people around her. “Mother Shipton” was a woman who was thought of being a witch. “Uncle Billy” was suspected of stealing gold and being a drunkard. Tom Simson was also called the “Innocent.” He was a young man who was traveling with his fiancée, Piney Woods. All of these people were driven out of Poker Flats by “A secret committee [who] had determined to rid the town of all improper persons” (Harte 535). In a sense these people were criminals and outcasts of the town.

Bret Harte uses a good amount of imagery in the story to describe the setting in which they are staying which is a makeshift cabin. An example of this is shown by saying that “…over drifted walls of dazzling white that towered twenty feet above their heads” (Harte 540). This shows that they are surrounded by a wonderland of snow.

Mr. Oakhurst lived his own life by Luck and believed that Fate needed to be accepted. For example, during one point of the story Mr. Oakhurst “struck a streak of bad luck on the 23d of November, 1850…” (Harte 541). This shows that Mr. Oakhurst and his companions were in bad shape because of the weather. This resulted in his death which is ironic because most of the characters in the story had hope that they would reach the city in time. Therefore, I have observed many different literary elements in “The Outcasts of Poker Flats.”