The Language and Uses of Religion in George Balcombe :: George Balcombe Religious Papers

The Language and Uses of Religion in George BalcombeIn his 1836 novel, George Balcombe, Nathaniel Beverley Tucker presents the grey Elite male discourse on pietism. Throughout the novel, the speeches of Balcombe and William reveal that they physical exertion language that refers to divinity, but more often they embrace Enlighten handst imagels much(prenominal) as reason and self-reliance. Several passages speak directly to the elite group idea of beau ideals love, Gods intended ways for men and women to love one an opposite, and Gods ordained roles for women and slaves. Many other portions of the text reveal differences between the ways in which elite men, non-elite men, and women chew up about God and value religious faith. Evangelical piety pose many challenges to the patriarchal fix up of early 19th century grey society, so it is no surprise that elite men prioritized attributes other than Christian faith and that religion took on different meanings for people with different levels of stipulation in the social hierarchy. Lindman and Wyatt-Brown describe the assimilation of evangelicalism into the existing social order and the changing definitions of honor between the time of the revolution and the 1830s. Lyerlys descriptions of the religious experience of Methodist women and slaves provides a context for understanding how the role of religion differed between elite men and other groups. These historians works enrich the refs understanding of Tuckers presentation of the white elite male discourse on the role of religion in the antebellum period. Balcombe and William indicate their sense of Gods presence in their lives end-to-end their dialogues. In their first conversation, Balcombe exc enforces Williams faux pas by waxing melodic that men must make mistakes in order to learn virtue, and concludes that it is Gods forge of accomplishing his greatest end, and must be the best plan (v1, 9). While this reference to Gods power seems sincere , other references bet more careless, such as the phrase God forbid (v1, 9), which these characters use throughout the novel. Williams remark that My talkative host now gave his glossa a holyday, while his teeth took their turn at work is an most whimsical appropriation of religious terminology to describe mundane events. a great deal in their dialogues, God is interchangeable with Providence - in one place, William speaks of Gods providence (v1,266). They personify Providence and attribute to it most hatful in their life, in phrases such as the pleasure that Providence sends me (v1,17).