Two years ago, I (along with some friends) went to Sao Paulo,
Brazil for two weeks. The trip was interesting and I had a good time, but I was
ready to go home. The woman I was staying with, Diana was getting on my nerves!
She was just too nice. She had a high
pitched voice and she always called us, “Girls,” or even worse, “The American
Girls.” Plus, she was quite touchy and wanted a hug all the time. The night
that we went to the airport to return home, we found out that our flight had
been delayed twelve hours. I couldn’t take it anymore. I just started crying in
the middle of the airport. Well, Diana immediately came and put her arms around
my shoulders and said, “God has a reason for everything, Girls.” This was not comforting to me! I know her intentions were
good and I know there probably was a reason why I stayed in Brazil longer. Her “comfort,”
however, was just not what I needed to hear at the time.
My experience from Brazil reminds me of how Fern, and Stowe
as well, use religion as a means to console. I am particularly reminded of the way in
which Tom and some of the other slaves use scripture and religion to comfort
themselves. For example, the slaves sing hymns while working in the fields. In Ruth Hall, Fern is also using religion
as a means for comfort and it seems awful. After Harry dies, Ruth’s father comes
to speak with her. He says, “This is the hand of God” (79). I don’t think that
Ruth’s father says this because he is a “villainous” character. Lots of people
say this to console those who have lost a loved one. It doesn’t help!
Another religious line that is commonly used as comfort is: “He/she
is in a better place.” Ruth tells Katy this after they move. I love Katy’s
response: “’Happy? without me, and you, and Nettie?” Her response is child-like and real. It points out the
inadequacy of Ruth’s comforting phrase. Perhaps Fern is trying to say that
religion can’t cure everything. Sometimes, bad things just happen.
I can see both sides of this argument. On the one hand, I think that giving words of comfort can actually make a situation worse. For example, I absolutely hated it when people would tell me my grandfather was better off in Heaven, as I was only ten and could hardly understand the situation. On the other hand, I think that faith can have a powerful, healing effect on people. I think that Fern wants us to see faith as a means of healing, as Ruth seems to gain courage whenever she remembers God. Right before Ruth finally lands a job, for example, she goes to church and laments the fact that she allowed herself to question faith. The consequence? Ruth's spirit is revived and she finds the power in herself to achieve success.
ReplyDeleteI understand where you're coming from. Sometimes, there just isn't enough room for God when your mad!!! I also understand that many people, not just these characters, depend on those sayings because they have nothing else to cling to. Some people, during trying times, need to think that there's some(one), or some(thing) out there that bigger than them, and that there's a plan.
DeleteI definitely agree with you Maria. There are certainly two sides of the argument and the message Fern is expressing during hard times, and struggle. This book is very encouraging and shows us that we need to make the best out of every situation in life.
ReplyDeleteI think this sets up an interesting question about whether or not religion works the same way in Uncle Tom and Ruth Hall, and I think in one sense it definitely does. I think, as I suggest in my post, that the people who are the worst in Ruth Hall-- ie, the Halls and Ruth's Father, are bad because they fail in some quintessentially Christian sense. In the first, they are hypocrites, (and we know how Jesus felt about hypocrites), and most importantly, they fail in their obligations to other people, to the poor. In failing to feel they miss the point entirely.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post and comments. Love it!
ReplyDelete