Greenes Revival Essay, Research Paper
The protagonist of the book is the unnamed priest, known as the
Whisky Priest. For eight years, he has been defying the
government and carrying on with his priestly duties. He lives as a
fugitive, trying to escape to safety. Each time he is about to
escape, someone needs him and because of his basic goodness and
sense of duty, he cannot refuse. He risks his life to help Luis’
mother, the Indian child, Maria and Brigitta, and the Gringo. On
the other hand, two people lose their lives because they do not
inform the police about him.
Before the book begins, the Priest, in a weak moment of despair,
has sex with Maria and becomes the illegitimate father of Brigitta.
Until the very end of the novel, he has a great sense of guilt about
this mortal sin. More than anything else, he wants to confess and
gain a pardon. Before his execution, Padre Jos , the weak priest,
refuses to hear his confession. In the eyes of the official Church,
he, therefore, dies an unforgiven sinner.
As the book proceeds, the Priest is followed on a journey filled
with various events and self-analysis. Much is revealed about the
Priest. He feels it is his duty to save himself because “God
intended for man–the enormous privilege of life–this life.” He
broods over the validity of existence and comes to the conclusion
that he will stay alive as long as God wants to use him for some
service to his fellow man. After Montez is shot dead and Miguel
is taken hostage, the Priest begins to doubt his purpose, for lives
are lost at his expense. Fears of retribution prevent the common
people from welcoming him. At the same time he feels he must go
on because he is still putting God into the mouths of the people.
Over the years, the Priest has learned many things. When he was
young, he became a priest for the good life he could have. He
enjoyed the respect of the parishioners and the grandeur of all
celebrations. Being ambitious, he hoped to become a bishop.
Charging the poor for his services did not bother him, for he had a
lifestyle to maintain. He also had no qualms about his debts. He
spoke eloquently about the political changes taking place in
Mexico but was not really concerned. He was put to the test when
the government sacked his church and banned all religious
ceremonies.
After losing his church, the Priest had to struggle to perform his
duties, as well as survive. With lots of time to ponder life, he
begins to really understand the mystery of religion. Instead of
focusing on himself and the attention he receives, the Priest starts
to appreciate human nature. When people needed him to celebrate
mass, to baptize people, and to say the last rites for the dying; he
strongly believed it was his duty to help them, no matter the risk
to himself.