On the Fence: the Struggle of Theron Ware, Damnation or Illumination

Angel Flowers

Eng 285 MTWTH 8:00-10:45

Professor Chris Heafner

06/30/2004

“On the Fence: The struggles of Theron Ware, Damnation or Illumination?”

Harold Frederic wrote The Damnation of Theron Ware in 1896. It was first published under the name of Illumination throughout America and England. Frederic was not an overly religious man. He had a mistress and three other kids in addition to his wife and two kids. The title character Theron appears to be a strict protestant minister. The view of his world slowly begins to change as he adapts and starts to accept new ideas and knowledge. This novel is solely not about religion it is about struggling to find oneself and overcoming the barriers one places on himself through religion and society. Theron is not only damned at the end of this novel but he is also illuminated.

There are many struggles going on throughout Octavius and Theron,

The foremost struggle would be that of the Protestants and the Catholics. Other conflicts arise out of this struggle in Theron. He begins to struggle with his religion and his views of the town of Octavius. The struggle of the Protestants and Catholics also explains the town’s competitiveness to convert and save souls in their church, especially the rich, new unprofessed residents. The Greeks and the Jews also represent another kind of struggle. Celia says, “ I divide people up in two classes, you know, -- Greeks and Jews. Once you get hold of that principle, all other divisions and classifications, such as race or language or nationality, seem pure foolishness. It is the only true division there is” (200). The Greeks represent a free people, who live in the moment. They are a people of the arts and humanities, who did not fear their gods, but only acknowledged and idolized them. There were no rules to follow. On the other hand the Jews were abounded by the law. There was only one god, whom they feared