“Black Robe” is the story of Father Jean Laforge, a French Jesuit missionary priest from Europe and his journey across the wilderness of Canada to bring God’s word to those he considered to be “savages”. (11) The author of the book is Brian Moore. He immigrated to Canada in his twenties, which is probably why the book was written in this setting. Laforge is given little assistant from the France government to take this journey so he is basically alone except for a Frenchman, Daniel, who is drawn to the likelihoods of the priesthood and the religious life, and his Algonquin guides led by Chomina and his daughter. The mission takes place deep into the Canadian heartland and Huron territories. The expedition proves to be a huge challenge
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Laforge faces the biggest test of all at the end of the novel, when those he has come to assist as a final point turn to him and ask to be christened, but, poignantly, for all the immoral motives. At last, Laforge can christen the people, but there is a problem. Should he do so, when he knows the motives for the request are ill-considered and the baptism will not accomplish what is expected? At that instant, Father Laforge’s principles he created are crushed, and all he has assumed in his lifetime comes down to how he will respond to one question, asked by a Huron chief. “Do you love us, Black Robe?” …show more content…
The book’s strengths being the approach to addressing religion versus culture, faith, temptation, after this incident, Laforge begins to disbelief his own sanctity and his power to overcome the attractions brought to him by wandering with and living in the midst of the Algonkins and their lifestyle. Moore addresses the fading faith of Laforge, his temptations, and lack of culture appreciation and religious. The temptations including his lusty feeling while watching the Algonkins engage in sex according to their customs, his faith while enduring harsh obstacles – abandonment, captivity, and death threat. The book weakness being the treatment of Indians and the perception that Laforge religious belief will be accepted by the
Laforge faces the biggest test of all at the end of the novel, when those he has come to assist as a final point turn to him and ask to be christened, but, poignantly, for all the immoral motives. At last, Laforge can christen the people, but there is a problem. Should he do so, when he knows the motives for the request are ill-considered and the baptism will not accomplish what is expected? At that instant, Father Laforge’s principles he created are crushed, and all he has assumed in his lifetime comes down to how he will respond to one question, asked by a Huron chief. “Do you love us, Black Robe?” …show more content…
The book’s strengths being the approach to addressing religion versus culture, faith, temptation, after this incident, Laforge begins to disbelief his own sanctity and his power to overcome the attractions brought to him by wandering with and living in the midst of the Algonkins and their lifestyle. Moore addresses the fading faith of Laforge, his temptations, and lack of culture appreciation and religious. The temptations including his lusty feeling while watching the Algonkins engage in sex according to their customs, his faith while enduring harsh obstacles – abandonment, captivity, and death threat. The book weakness being the treatment of Indians and the perception that Laforge religious belief will be accepted by the