Back to category: English

Limited version - please login or register to view the entire paper.

Each Mans Son

The novel Each Man's Son by Hugh McLennan is a great demonstration of Calvinism. By definition, Calvinism is "the doctrine emphasizing the depravity and helplessness of man." In Each Man's Son, Calvinism, also known as Puritanism is " a rejection of beauty and pleasure, a condemnation of man's sexual nature, and a compulsion to work- this is the essence of Puritanism as MacLennan sees it. The Puritan, failing in these self-imposed standards, is plagued with guilt, shame, and fear." This description is best expressed in the novel best in the characters of Dan, Margaret, the Miners, Mrs. MacCuish and Mollie.

Dan Ainslie is the character that most strongly represents Calvinism. There are 3 aspects of his character that depict this. The first of these is the way he deprives himself of his sexual desires for his wife. He is constantly frustrated with how he cannot express himself to her. This causes and emptiness with in the relationship that he feels guilty for. His desires are...

Posted by: Novelett Roberts

Limited version - please login or register to view the entire paper.