Ignazio Silone is considered as among the first anti-fascist advocate of his time. He wrote a lot of books that tackled his beliefs and understanding of the society he was in and most, if not all, of them gained popular attention from the reading public all over the world. Among his most famous works is Fontamara, which is an anti-fascist literature. This masterpiece is greatly praise and at the same time criticized for its intense claims and unusual interpretations. Among this is the connection that he claimed exist between the Church and Christianity with Socialism. This is really contestable because those who understand Socialism to its core would argue that Christianity and Socialism are irreconcilable for the earlier is anchored on the divinity of God, while the latter is built on the atheistic philosophy instituted in communism where it actually was derived from. However, in the story, the people failed to have a deeper understanding of what Christianity stood for, thus it provided a different meaning and even became instrumental for government oppression. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to identify Silones representation of the Church and Christianity in Fontamara and to explore the connections he perceived was present between the said institutions to Socialism an idea that seems to be absurd for many people.
Silones Representations
Church
For many people, perception of the Church is corollary to Christianity, however, in Fontamara, the two seem to play separate roles. The Church in the story appeared to be an instrument for the perpetuation of the peoples ignorance, which led to their oppression. One representation of this is the town priest Don Abbacchio who was influential in making the people accept their fate under the fascist Contractor advising them not to oppose the latter for he was the devil personified however, everyone saw that he arrived riding one of the Contractors coaches. It is ironic how the priest could go on criticizing the Contractor when it was apparent that he was getting favor from the latter. This could imply that the Church, through the priest, was used to pacify the people by making them believe that it was useless to argue thus they should just let the Contractor be the people heed his advice because of their allegiance to the Church.
Silone actually showed that there was connivance between the Church and the State in the story. As Paynter pointed out, the symbolism of the lice that appeared on Micheles dream, which had longer legs, darker and with a cross at the back, represented a more destructive government but is supported by the Church. In the dream, the Pope was talking with Christ about the punishment He would bestow to the oppressive people. However, the Pope kept on taking their side claiming that they were also good Christians. Then Christ offered several proposals on what to do with the instead but the Pope always had a counter-argument. In exasperation, Christ asked what then should be done. The Pope recommended that the cafoni be given lice so that they would be preoccupied by it, which would take their attention away from the situation at hand. Thus, instead of bringing punishment to the fascist leader, the Pope found it better to give the people something that would take their attention from their suffering so that they will not be troubled too much by it.
Christianity
Despite the fact that Christianity is an attribute of the Church, it cannot be totally claimed to have the same representation as the physical Church in the story. It was shown that the peoples belief in Christ are what made them become blinded by some of the obvious facts that were in front of them because they were somehow concealed by the faith they have to their priest and their congregation. Moreover, it was also shown that all of them, even the oppressors, were actually Christians. Thus, it may be easy to conclude that it also was the tool in the existence of the fascist government.
Then again, one may be getting the wrong idea of it just like the peasants did if that is how they viewed Christianity in the book. On the surface, it may seem that the claim is valid because basically, that is what was apparent in the story. This is because it takes a deeper understanding of the concept of Christianity to be able to practice it correctly. Unfortunately, the cafoni took it at face value or as literally as the Church would want them to believe, which generally seem to be in the favor of the oppressors. What the peasants failed to realize was the real meaning of Christianity and what the genuine message of God was for the people. The Church was largely to be blamed for these because they were the shepherd who guided the flock to the wrong direction and provided their own interpretation of the Scriptures.
In the same allegory presented above, the one about the lice, it showed how much Christ wanted to alleviate the condition of the peasants. He was eager to do things for them at the expense of the oppressors. However, the Pope, claiming that the latter are also good Christians contradicted every proposition He gave. In this particular scenario, it can be seen that the heart of God (in essence, Christianity) wants to do something for the poor people. However, His messengers, the priests or Popes who serve as liaison, are the ones given the opportunity to choose which way to do it and the decision they made is what worsen the situation.
As a matter of fact, Silones work was teeming with ideas associated with Christianity and one of the most significant is the torture and sacrifice of Berardo. The depiction of the process of beating can be compared to the sufferings that Christ had to bear on the hands of the people in His way to Calvary. His sacrifice of his life so that his fellow cafoni may be liberated from the fascist government is like Christs sacrifice so that the world and mankind would be redeemed. Thus, it may seem confusing and blurred but there was actually a thin line that was present between Christianity and the Church as was portrayed in the story. It was the Church which was partly responsible for the condition of the people while Christianity in itself was not as bad, however, the misinterpretation of which is.
In Connection to Socialism
The book Fontamara is known to be written by Silone after he severed ties with the Communist Party. He then went back to his earlier ideological inclination which was Socialism. Thus, the book, aside from its anti-fascist touch also can be associated with the authors socialist convictions. Socialism, as the adherents of communism and even many of those who are not, is said to be largely related to communism. Given that, it generally follows the Communist doctrines as were written in the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx. In this light, it could therefore be claimed that Socialism and Christianity should not go together because they are of opposing views.
However, Ignazio Silone had a different conviction for he believed that Socialism was tied in faith. In one of his essays, he argued that the more scientific Socialist theories claim to be, the more temporary they seem to be and for him Socialist values are permanent. Silones perception is supported by Gorbachev when he asserted that Socialism is an idea which actually derives strength from Christianitys accomplishment. In the book, it was shown how the sacrifice of Berardo, which was earlier likened to the sacrifice of Christ, became the driving force of the people to conduct anti-fascist actions. Thus, it can be said that for Silone, either it is through Christianity that Socialism will rise or the solidarity of Christians will tend to provide the changes to society. Furthermore, the linkage between his advocacy and Christianity can further be recognized at the end of the story wherein the question, what are we to do was asked. In Paynters analysis, this was lifted from the book of Saint John the Baptist and in light of the story, it was asked in reference to their newly discovered awareness and readiness to let go of their selfish pursuits inspired by Berardos martyrdom.
Ignacio Silones illustration of the Church and Christianity in the story tells a lot about his personality. In the literature, he seemed to denounce the Church and some of its practitioners such as the priests and the adherents but not Christianity itself. He showed how the earlier can be used as an instrument for oppressing people once it is interpreted in the wrong manner as was shown by how the priests in the story lured the people and divert their attention from the real situation. On the other hand, he illustrated the significance that the value of real Christianity has in the development and betterment of the society. This could be a testament to his claim that he was a socialist without a party, a Christian without a church.
The characterization of the Church put forth by Silone in the story could best be understood by taking in consideration the context and the period when he wrote the book. Indeed at the earlier times, the Church had somehow become a tool used by the government because of their mutualistic relationship, wherein one benefits from the other, although not generally but there were indeed some stray souls who confer to such a collaboration. Nevertheless, the real essence of Christianity is not marred by such and it forever stayed to be faithful to the people for as long as it is properly understood and the fulfilment of the Scriptures could lead to the success of a Socialist government.
Although many people would disagree with Silones assertion that Christianity and Socialism come hand in hand, it was shown in Fontamara how it is possible. Using simple words and elaborate representations, he was able to provide a clear illustration of what he perceived the role of the Church and Christianity have in the society and he was able to show how the latter is connected to Socialism, which as shown was as a means for its rise and growth.
Silones Representations
Church
For many people, perception of the Church is corollary to Christianity, however, in Fontamara, the two seem to play separate roles. The Church in the story appeared to be an instrument for the perpetuation of the peoples ignorance, which led to their oppression. One representation of this is the town priest Don Abbacchio who was influential in making the people accept their fate under the fascist Contractor advising them not to oppose the latter for he was the devil personified however, everyone saw that he arrived riding one of the Contractors coaches. It is ironic how the priest could go on criticizing the Contractor when it was apparent that he was getting favor from the latter. This could imply that the Church, through the priest, was used to pacify the people by making them believe that it was useless to argue thus they should just let the Contractor be the people heed his advice because of their allegiance to the Church.
Silone actually showed that there was connivance between the Church and the State in the story. As Paynter pointed out, the symbolism of the lice that appeared on Micheles dream, which had longer legs, darker and with a cross at the back, represented a more destructive government but is supported by the Church. In the dream, the Pope was talking with Christ about the punishment He would bestow to the oppressive people. However, the Pope kept on taking their side claiming that they were also good Christians. Then Christ offered several proposals on what to do with the instead but the Pope always had a counter-argument. In exasperation, Christ asked what then should be done. The Pope recommended that the cafoni be given lice so that they would be preoccupied by it, which would take their attention away from the situation at hand. Thus, instead of bringing punishment to the fascist leader, the Pope found it better to give the people something that would take their attention from their suffering so that they will not be troubled too much by it.
Christianity
Despite the fact that Christianity is an attribute of the Church, it cannot be totally claimed to have the same representation as the physical Church in the story. It was shown that the peoples belief in Christ are what made them become blinded by some of the obvious facts that were in front of them because they were somehow concealed by the faith they have to their priest and their congregation. Moreover, it was also shown that all of them, even the oppressors, were actually Christians. Thus, it may be easy to conclude that it also was the tool in the existence of the fascist government.
Then again, one may be getting the wrong idea of it just like the peasants did if that is how they viewed Christianity in the book. On the surface, it may seem that the claim is valid because basically, that is what was apparent in the story. This is because it takes a deeper understanding of the concept of Christianity to be able to practice it correctly. Unfortunately, the cafoni took it at face value or as literally as the Church would want them to believe, which generally seem to be in the favor of the oppressors. What the peasants failed to realize was the real meaning of Christianity and what the genuine message of God was for the people. The Church was largely to be blamed for these because they were the shepherd who guided the flock to the wrong direction and provided their own interpretation of the Scriptures.
In the same allegory presented above, the one about the lice, it showed how much Christ wanted to alleviate the condition of the peasants. He was eager to do things for them at the expense of the oppressors. However, the Pope, claiming that the latter are also good Christians contradicted every proposition He gave. In this particular scenario, it can be seen that the heart of God (in essence, Christianity) wants to do something for the poor people. However, His messengers, the priests or Popes who serve as liaison, are the ones given the opportunity to choose which way to do it and the decision they made is what worsen the situation.
As a matter of fact, Silones work was teeming with ideas associated with Christianity and one of the most significant is the torture and sacrifice of Berardo. The depiction of the process of beating can be compared to the sufferings that Christ had to bear on the hands of the people in His way to Calvary. His sacrifice of his life so that his fellow cafoni may be liberated from the fascist government is like Christs sacrifice so that the world and mankind would be redeemed. Thus, it may seem confusing and blurred but there was actually a thin line that was present between Christianity and the Church as was portrayed in the story. It was the Church which was partly responsible for the condition of the people while Christianity in itself was not as bad, however, the misinterpretation of which is.
In Connection to Socialism
The book Fontamara is known to be written by Silone after he severed ties with the Communist Party. He then went back to his earlier ideological inclination which was Socialism. Thus, the book, aside from its anti-fascist touch also can be associated with the authors socialist convictions. Socialism, as the adherents of communism and even many of those who are not, is said to be largely related to communism. Given that, it generally follows the Communist doctrines as were written in the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx. In this light, it could therefore be claimed that Socialism and Christianity should not go together because they are of opposing views.
However, Ignazio Silone had a different conviction for he believed that Socialism was tied in faith. In one of his essays, he argued that the more scientific Socialist theories claim to be, the more temporary they seem to be and for him Socialist values are permanent. Silones perception is supported by Gorbachev when he asserted that Socialism is an idea which actually derives strength from Christianitys accomplishment. In the book, it was shown how the sacrifice of Berardo, which was earlier likened to the sacrifice of Christ, became the driving force of the people to conduct anti-fascist actions. Thus, it can be said that for Silone, either it is through Christianity that Socialism will rise or the solidarity of Christians will tend to provide the changes to society. Furthermore, the linkage between his advocacy and Christianity can further be recognized at the end of the story wherein the question, what are we to do was asked. In Paynters analysis, this was lifted from the book of Saint John the Baptist and in light of the story, it was asked in reference to their newly discovered awareness and readiness to let go of their selfish pursuits inspired by Berardos martyrdom.
Ignacio Silones illustration of the Church and Christianity in the story tells a lot about his personality. In the literature, he seemed to denounce the Church and some of its practitioners such as the priests and the adherents but not Christianity itself. He showed how the earlier can be used as an instrument for oppressing people once it is interpreted in the wrong manner as was shown by how the priests in the story lured the people and divert their attention from the real situation. On the other hand, he illustrated the significance that the value of real Christianity has in the development and betterment of the society. This could be a testament to his claim that he was a socialist without a party, a Christian without a church.
The characterization of the Church put forth by Silone in the story could best be understood by taking in consideration the context and the period when he wrote the book. Indeed at the earlier times, the Church had somehow become a tool used by the government because of their mutualistic relationship, wherein one benefits from the other, although not generally but there were indeed some stray souls who confer to such a collaboration. Nevertheless, the real essence of Christianity is not marred by such and it forever stayed to be faithful to the people for as long as it is properly understood and the fulfilment of the Scriptures could lead to the success of a Socialist government.
Although many people would disagree with Silones assertion that Christianity and Socialism come hand in hand, it was shown in Fontamara how it is possible. Using simple words and elaborate representations, he was able to provide a clear illustration of what he perceived the role of the Church and Christianity have in the society and he was able to show how the latter is connected to Socialism, which as shown was as a means for its rise and growth.
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