Last night, a few of us had an interesting discussion of G. K. Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday. All of us came to the discussion with basically the same question...what in the world happened at the end of the book? Re-reading the last chapter, we came to the conclusion that the key not only to understanding that chapter but the entire book came in Sunday's words to the council.
"I am the Sabbath," said the other [Sunday] without moving. "I am the peace of God."-Man Who Was Thursday Ch. 15
The entire book hinges on Sunday, who he is, what he is in this strange nightmare. Perhaps...Sunday is life. Sunday is both rest and peace, and chaos and hell. Both extremes, sorrow and darkness, and joy and light, residing in one entity.
Life is like that...the same hand that gives us hell, gives us rest as well. We experience pain and loss, but then we experience love and restoration.
Is Sunday life? Think about it.
Some other questions that I and others have come up with that I'd be interesting in exploring.
1) When does this story start and stop becoming a nightmare?
2) What is a mask that reveals?
3) Is Rosamund real life? Who/what is she truly?
4) What significance do colours play in the story?
Under the mercy,
Elizabeth
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