The revival camp meeting in the novel works on several
levels. The most obvious fact at work is the fact that the King is cynically playing
upon the emotions of the gathering.
These people have
purportedly gathered together to save their souls; find salvation, etc. The King sees
the vulnerability that this effort conveys to the gathering and takes advantage of
it.
This episode also carries a subtle implication that
the salvation the gathering is seeking is self-serving, superficial and foolish. The
crowd is certainly easily fooled by the King's impromptu yarn. Importantly, they are
also highly satisfied by it.
The King's act effectively
stops the salvation, speaking in tongues, and other effects of the revival, replacing
them with a shaky concept of charity. How could a truly fervent group be so easily
persuaded and led away from its aim? The answer is that the group must have been less
fervent than it purported to be.
No comments:
Post a Comment