Edward Ames Character Analysis in Gilead

Edward is John’s older brother, 10 years his senior. A philosophy professor trained in Germany, Edward became an atheist and introduced John to Feuerbach’s writings in an attempt to jolt John out of his traditional Christian faith. Growing up, he’d been expected to follow his father into ministry, but after renouncing Christianity, he paid the church back for supporting his education. Edward’s renunciation of the faith created a rift between him and his father, but his father eventually forgave him.

Edward Ames Quotes in Gilead

The Gilead quotes below are all either spoken by Edward Ames or refer to Edward Ames. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

).

So my advice is this—don’t look for proofs. Don’t bother with them at all. They are never sufficient to the question, and they’re always a little impertinent, I think, because they claim for God a place within our conceptual grasp. And they will likely sound wrong to you even if you convince someone else with them. That is very unsettling over the long term. […]

I’m not saying never doubt or question. The Lord gave you a mind so that you would make honest use of it. I’m saying you must be sure that the doubts and questions are your own, not, so to speak, the mustache and walking stick that happen to be the fashion of any particular moment.

Related Characters: Rev. John Ames (speaker), John’s Son (The Boy), John’s Father, John’s Grandfather, Edward Ames

Page Number and Citation: 179

Explanation and Analysis:

I have wandered to the limits of my understanding any number of times, out into that desolation, that Horeb, that Kansas, and I’ve scared myself, too, a good many times, leaving all landmarks behind me, or so it seemed. And it has been among the true pleasures of my life. Night and light, silence and difficulty, it seemed to me always rigorous and good. I believe it was recommended to me by Edward, and also by my reverend grandfather when he made his last flight into the wilderness. I may once have fancied myself such another tough old man, ready to dive into the ground and smolder away the time till Judgment. Well, I am distracted from that project now. My present bewilderments are a new territory that make me doubt I have ever really been lost before.

Related Characters: Rev. John Ames (speaker), John’s Son (The Boy), John’s Grandfather, Jack (John Ames) Boughton, Edward Ames

Page Number and Citation: 191

Explanation and Analysis:

Edward Ames Quotes in Gilead

The Gilead quotes below are all either spoken by Edward Ames or refer to Edward Ames. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

).

So my advice is this—don’t look for proofs. Don’t bother with them at all. They are never sufficient to the question, and they’re always a little impertinent, I think, because they claim for God a place within our conceptual grasp. And they will likely sound wrong to you even if you convince someone else with them. That is very unsettling over the long term. […]

I’m not saying never doubt or question. The Lord gave you a mind so that you would make honest use of it. I’m saying you must be sure that the doubts and questions are your own, not, so to speak, the mustache and walking stick that happen to be the fashion of any particular moment.

Related Characters: Rev. John Ames (speaker), John’s Son (The Boy), John’s Father, John’s Grandfather, Edward Ames

Page Number and Citation: 179

Explanation and Analysis:

I have wandered to the limits of my understanding any number of times, out into that desolation, that Horeb, that Kansas, and I’ve scared myself, too, a good many times, leaving all landmarks behind me, or so it seemed. And it has been among the true pleasures of my life. Night and light, silence and difficulty, it seemed to me always rigorous and good. I believe it was recommended to me by Edward, and also by my reverend grandfather when he made his last flight into the wilderness. I may once have fancied myself such another tough old man, ready to dive into the ground and smolder away the time till Judgment. Well, I am distracted from that project now. My present bewilderments are a new territory that make me doubt I have ever really been lost before.

Related Characters: Rev. John Ames (speaker), John’s Son (The Boy), John’s Grandfather, Jack (John Ames) Boughton, Edward Ames

Page Number and Citation: 191

Explanation and Analysis: