Thursday, March 12, 2009
Aimee- Week 3: Literary Elements
“The bells—silvery, shivering—rang in his head as if the clappers were striking the raw red interior of his skull” (147). This simile is from the Wine Stains chapter about the Priest in Venice. It is the opening phrase of this chapter and it sets the scene for mass on a cold day. We quickly learn that the Priest has a drinking problem. He is slightly drunk at his early mass. The loud bells ring and echo in his ears as he enters the Sanctuary. He compares this feeling to clappers in his head, beating his skull, and giving him a head ache. The priest describes how hard it is from him to concentrate when the communion wine is in front of him, lapping the cup. I thought it was interesting that despite his alcohol problem, he still is trying hard to please God and do his best at mass in the morning. He also tries to hide his problem from the church body.
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I also found the chapter about the priest very interesting. Looking at a priest, I often think it is impossible for them to sin, but they are human just like the rest of the world. I found it interesting how the priest used his gambling addiction to not only fill his addiction, but to try to gain more money for the poor. Even if his plan didn't always come out the way he wanted it to.
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was interesting how this chapter humanized Priests. Especially from this era where they tended to be very strict. With his gambaling problem I thought it was interesting how he did something most from the church would frown on in order to help the poor. It seemed an interesting this for the Priest to do with his gambled money. I also thought his realationship with the rabbi was interesting at the begining of the chapter.
ReplyDeleteI havent read this far yet, but its my next chapter. Im excited to read about the priest and realize that not everyone is perfect, even the closest to God sin. That has to be my favorite part of the book, the multitude of characters. It's just different to see through many perspectives. I also like how we start jumping into the character's life not knowing anything, and quickly find out so much about them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining the quote Aimee, I didn't really get it at first, what with all the red skulls and things. I still don't get the clapper thing. Should I know what clappers are???
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this far, but the priest who has an alcohol problem but still tries to do his job well sounds interesting. I also like how Brooks uses similies in the book to help explain things.
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