"He is Benjamin ben Eleazar, and as some children note later in the book, he whom Jesus raised up, stays up"
When you and X were arguing this point I said nothing as to the symbolism; frankly, I had little recollection. So I have re-visited the book and may now offer my opinion: you were quite right in your statements (in my opinion, I mean).
The author was very pointed and exact in illustrating a Catholic church after a holocaust. He also makes it certain that the old beggar was as you say. There were about five discreet pieces of evidence which buttressed this point over and over again, and which were intentionaly given by the writer.
So MIller shows a supernatural universe--no doubt about that. Sometimes his recounting of ritual and so forth is almost mocking--acerbic to both science and the church; at other times, however, he is sympathetic. But he does not appear to bestow a cachet upon either. My impression is that his book was an introspective struggle between his own need for authority, order, and transcendent meaning, against his reliance on rationality, simplicity, and empiricism. He does not seem to find a resolution, but merely leaves a question mark of despair.
(I picked up wild horse woman from the library. Once I am done I will give you a brief synopsis, if you like...in case you have not read it). |
