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Rob Garbin's Blog

The Parable of Doubt Revealed

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by
Gkarlives
, October 21st, 2009 at 02:25 AM (1163 Views)
Again, I have been too subtle in the creation of a story for my own good. Because it is still being judged, I am putting my explanation here and I won't lie by saying I don't want this to help in getting votes. It is what it is as, my boss would say.

First of all, the reason for the story. Doubt is one of the lesser appreciated themes that I feel comes out of the Bible and I wanted to write a story focusing on it. I remember vaguely the cautions given about following certain future Churches that revelations said would fall from the path of Christ. Also, I am reminded of a passage, which I could not find, in the Gospel where Christ revealed himself to the Disciples after his resurrection and one asked to see the wounds in his hands. Christ did not rebuff him for needing to see.

Yes, the work does have the effect of reminding the reader about the Bible. I did and did not have this intention in mind. I wanted the piece to stand alone but because I wanted the gravitas of the Bible narrative, I chose to write the story in the same format. It looks a lot better in the original format that I could not use here. Again, I am using this story to expound on the theme of doubt I picked up from the Bible.

As for the world never having nighttime, I needed this to play up the darkness theme, as well as, the beggar's blindness. I tried to subtly hint that blindness was not a common occurance in this world. In fact, this man may be the first blind person in this world. Again, I used the idea that the person's affliction was used by their God to reveal the sin's of the Elders. The Father wanted to teach the people and the Elders.

Second, as I stated in the intro, there are two references to darkness in the story. The first is the beggar's blindness. Not overly subtle, but some people might not pick up on it. Second, darkness is also represented by the world change created by having to doubt those that all your life you had trusted implicitly. Again, I tried to be very subtle in stating this relying heavily on the Bible stlye narrative to strengthen the theme.

I admit that I get frustrated when people miss out on the meaning of my stories, but this is how I think on subjects. Hell, even I have a hard time expressing a feeling or idea that is sitting heavy upon my heart. However, I would rather like to explain my point of view and see a light come on in someone's eyes than reaching for an easier theme. To me, this is why America's education system has fallen. Instead of working to find new and better ways to teach the hard stuff correctly, many schools and teachers resorted to just lowering their standards. Hopefully, this explanation gives everyone a better sense of what my story was about. Thanks.

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Updated October 21st, 2009 at 02:39 AM by Gkarlives

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Thoughts , Creativity

Comments

  1. tmso's Avatar
    I loved your story Rob and I thank you for the explanation. I actually got the two references to darkness (blindness and doubt can be a dark feeling). Well done.
  2. Hereford Eye's Avatar
    You post your stories and you take your chances. As folk too often noted in my Life's Little Mysteries thread in the writing forum: you cannot control how folkses react to your stories. You can only write "em and hope. For example, Zach wrote about my story: ",,,but instead of going for the neck with her story of rape and degradation, we were invited to contemplate our own, ordinary failings and attempts to console ourselves, as if they somehow compare, to excuse her uncomfortable public behaviour." You see what Zach took from the story. It wasn't what I thought folk would take. But, then, that's another story, isn't it?
  3. Gkarlives's Avatar
    HE: Oh, I agree with you on that point, but certain stories mean more to me than others. Trinity and Parable are two of them because of my underling beliefs. Also, not to gripe too much, which is an oxymoron since I am, there have been several times that people have missed meanings in my stories that I felt were not hard at all compared to some stories I have read.

    I am currently reading the Silmarrillion by Tolkien, which I have toyed with off and on through the years. My first time reading it, I got frustrated with the style and all the multiple names for everything. In addition, some of the characters just seemed to pop out of nowhere and then return there. Now that I have read The Children of Hurin I have a better understanding of the character connections and I am really enjoying the book.

    I have to admit that I do try to write challenging stories because those ones have had the deepest meaning for me. I love the challenge and the wow factor when the light comes on. In some ways I also enjoy writing the explanations of the stories, too. I like to see the light come on for others. I am just suprised sometimes how little people get. Oh well, you place your bet and roll your dice.
  4. tmso's Avatar
    Hmm, interesting. I don't think your story was challenging. Remember, people bring to your stories a vast variety of backgrounds that inform and shape your reader's conclusions. If you get one person turning the light bulb on, I'd say you met your goal. Not everyone will turn the light on (consciously or unconsciously).

    And I'm not saying the light bulb turned on for me, your piece just touched me a certain way that was very meaningful. Go figure.
    Updated October 22nd, 2009 at 08:37 AM by tmso
  5. Hereford Eye's Avatar
    Here's my thoughts on reviewer reaction to my tale:
    http://holbrookandhe.com/blog/
  6. Gkarlives's Avatar
    HE, you haven't had my review yet. I took something else away, which is closer I think to your aim. Be patient, I am still slougging through the stories. If the info bit is about rape, I have to be honest to you, I think I breezed right over it. Shows you the difference in thinking. I was more focused on the condition and the fact that the prosecuter seemed to just want to lock her away.
  7. Gkarlives's Avatar
    TMSO: not all of my stories are challenging and most often, I don't think they are at all, until I see the reader reviews then I go "Huh?" I have to say that you may follow some of my same logic that is why they seem easy to you. Others with different backgrounds, just don't seem to see it.
  8. Hereford Eye's Avatar
    Not too long ago, that's precisely what the legal system believed the solution to be: locking them away. Then, in the 70s, the ACLU barged in and got all the asylums closed. Nowadays, as demonstrated on the TV show Mental, the HCPs get 72 hours to convince the patients they need help. Without patient concurrence the only place left to hide them is in the streets, under the bridges, and in the condemned buildings.
  9. tmso's Avatar
    Exactly HE! Only 72 hours, wow. But that's why I voted for your piece: you wanted us to think, really think, what it would be like to be in her position, in her place. I thought it was spot on.

    Same with your piece Rob. You really made me think about doubt in context with a religion and religious philosophy.

    Just a note to clarify: Rob, I think we have VERY different backgrounds and world views. However, we may 'see' the world in very much the same way.
  10. Gkarlives's Avatar
    Tmso: No need to clarify. I meant more in the sense that we may have had experiences of a nature that have lead us to similiar world views as we have both stated. I was pointing out how my stories have reached you better than the majoity of the readers. As far as this story, I am starting to lean toward the need for tweaking. I see where I made the story too like the bible trying to make it more dramatic and may have reduced the strength of the point. It is very challenging to grab the style and yet pull off the relevant idea.
  11. Gkarlives's Avatar
    Penter 1:50


    (1) During the season of renewal, it happened that the Lord Savior was traveling to Hendal in Kalindar when he was drawn to a man sitting outside the city gate. (2)The man moaned piteously yet no citizen took notice of him. (3) Stopping a wealthy merchant, the Lord Savior asked upon the man’s troubles. (4) The merchant scowled while making the sign of the five-pointed star of faith. (5) “Blasphemy, pilgrim, he claims that he no longer sees.”

    (6) The Lord Savior then called his disciples unto him and walked toward the man seated outside the city gate. (7) “What ails you,” asked the Savior? (8) “The light of the Father has left me and now I am an outcast for blasphemy,” cried the man. (9) “Have you spoken to the Temple Elders about the nature of your transgression?” the Lord Savior inquired.

    (10) “I could not,” the man replied. “I could not find my way to the Temple for my eyes no longer work. (11) In my distress, I was unable to avoid my fellow citizens whom took umbrage with my unintended contact.” (12) Sobbing the ragged man reached out but did not seem to know from whence my Lord Savior spoke.

    (13) “Noble sir, I tell you plainly that I am sore afraid for my life. (14) After accosting several citizens with my confused stumbling, stones began to rain down upon me as angry voices filled my ears. (15) Soon, the Temple guards were summoned and I was taken to jail”

    (16) “Did you not then have opportunity to bring your case before the Elders?” probed the Savior. (17) “No,” responded the disgraced man. “When they heard of my blasphemy, they would have nothing to do with me. (18) The acolyte they sent to me had me whipped and tossed outside of the city where we now talk.”

    (19) The Lord Savior then knelt down before the distraught man and asked, “What would you have of me?” (20) The man trembled as tears ran down his face.

    (21) “Noble sir, I am a devout follower of the Father. (22) I have a loving wife and two strong sons whom work the fields with me. (23) Twice a week I go unto Temple to hear the sermons of the Elders. (24) The scriptures they read tell us the Father so loved our people that he created the world with the sun ever shinning on his creation. (25) Thus, no part of creation would be hidden from us and that we should show the same love to each other. (26) Until a few days ago, I knew no other thought.”

    (27) Swaying on his knees the man wailed, “Kind sir, I beg of you a word that will express the anguish residing within my soul! (28) The world no longer makes sense and I have not the word to describe this feeling!”

    (29) “The word your soul seeks, my child, is Doubt,” replied the Savior. (30) “This word shall stand between thee and those who no longer hear the Father’s true word.” (31) Then the Lord Savior took pity upon the beggar. (32) Raising a hand to cover the man’s eyes, he said a prayer unto his father then removed his hand. (33) Instantly, the blasphemer’s countenance changed. (34) No longer did his limbs cast about aimlessly.

    (35) Bowing before my Lord, the man gave thanks. (36) “Command of me as you need my Lord Savior!” said the man. (37) The Savior’s disciples were amazed by his recognition of the Lord for none in Hendal had known him before this day. (38) Rising, the Savior lifted the prostrate man.

    (39) “Go to the Temple and show yourself unto the Elders. (40) Say unto them that the Father has sent you as a messenger and that their time of feasting is short. (41) Let all the congregation see the miracle wrought here in the Father’s name.”

    (42) Immediately, the man left for the Temple. (43) When he had shown the Elders his vigor, he turned to the congregation and said, “No longer should you trust without question the words of the Elders. (44) The Lord Savior has given me a word sent from the Father for judging the teachings of the Elders. (45) The word is Doubt.”

    (46)Then Leni the Chief Elder stood up angrily and denounced the Lord Savior saying “Why should not this word be a weight upon his teachings as well!” (47)For which the healed man replied “But it is Elder, as the Father has revealed to me.” (49)Thus, the Lord Savior brought about the downfall of his own religion and the Father was pleased with the Son. (50)With this one word, the church was purified and kept out of the hands of those that would pervert it.