Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Gilead, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Life, Death, and Beauty
Christian Faith, Mystery, and Ministry
Memory, Vision, and Conviction
Estrangement and Reconciliation
Loneliness and Love
Summary
Analysis
The next time Jack comes over, John makes a point of behaving more cordially toward him. Jack seems amused by John’s effort, so John gives up and heads off to the church. He spends hours thinking and praying about Jack. Afterward, he knows he must try not only to act but to think graciously toward Jack, no matter how Jack sees through him. He has a lot more praying to do.
Despite the fact that relating to people is basically his job—one he seems to be reasonably good at under normal circumstances—John has a special struggle with Jack, as his outward behavior apparently gives away his inner ambivalence. The fact that Jack sees through him suggests that the two know each other well.
Themes
John has heard from both his father and his grandfather that when you encounter another person, it’s as if the Lord is asking you a question in that moment. That being the case, if you encounter antagonism, you’re free to not respond in kind; you have an opportunity to act according to grace instead.
John shares advice that’s been passed down to him, that each personal encounter is a fresh opportunity to treat another person well. No matter what one’s history with another person, then, there’s always a chance to try again.
Themes
John’s own recent failures have reminded him of this. He likes Calvin’s image of the individual as an actor on a stage with God as the audience. He thinks that in general, people think too little about God’s enjoyment of us, the enjoyment of a beloved child’s existence. Thinking about sons turns his thoughts back to Jack Boughton, who “is a piece of work.”
John likens God’s enjoyment of his human creatures to his own delight in his son’s existence. He thinks this is a helpful way for people to think about living their lives before God—wanting to please their heavenly Father, rather than shrinking in fear from a distant deity. Humorously, though, John can’t keep his thoughts elevated this way for long before he starts fretting about Jack again; he’s only human.
Themes
John’s instinct is to warn his son and his wife against Jack Boughton. Though by now, his son must understand that John can’t trust his own feelings on the subject of Jack. But it’s a grave matter for John. Maybe he simply needs to say that Jack’s character isn’t to be trusted, and nothing more than that.
Obviously, John’s worries about Jack are of a serious nature. He feels that Jack poses some sort of danger to his wife and son, made more urgent by the fact that John won’t be around much longer.
Themes
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John hasn’t written for a day or two. At night, he’s been having some discomfort and difficulty breathing. But there is no point in dwelling on problems that don’t have an earthly solution. His wife has sent the boy off to the neighbors, and he notices that she looks pale. She’s brought his writing and reading materials downstairs. Someone else has brought a tray for his glasses and pills and water. John doesn’t believe this is as serious as everyone else seems to think, but he could be wrong.
John doesn’t say whether his symptoms are a result of anxiety or his heart condition, but there doesn’t seem to be a heavy distinction between the two in his mind—he’s preoccupied with the Jack problem, and Lila and others seem to believe he’s taken a turn for the worse physically.
Themes
John feels much better after a nap. The family eats a casserole supper, and John gathers that the congregation was alerted; you’d have thought he died, he notes wryly. His son samples the different casseroles from John’s tray, joking that he can’t make up his mind until the food is nearly gone. John thinks of the time he gave the boy communion and wonders if his son does, too.
The congregation has rallied around with meals for John and his family, and he finds humor in the situation—after all, pretty soon he will die, and the church will respond in the same way. John delights in mundane moments with his son and wonders if he will cherish the same memories John does.
Themes
