"The violent bear it away" Characters Analysis

"The Violent Bear It Away" is a novel written by Flannery O'Connor, known for her distinctive Southern Gothic style. Set in the rural South, the book revolves around the lives of several complex characters whose fates entangle in a web of violence, religion, and existential struggle. In this character analysis, we will delve into the key figures who shape the narrative, examining their roles, traits, backgrounds, arcs, and relationships.

List of Characters

Role Identification

Francis Marion Tarwater (Protagonist)

Francis Marion Tarwater, commonly known as Tarwater, is the central character whose journey drives the plot. Orphaned at a young age, Tarwater grapples with questions of destiny, faith, and the legacy passed down from his deceased great-uncle Mason. His role is to navigate between his inherited burden and the external influences that seek to shape his life.

Rayber (Antagonist)

Rayber serves as the primary antagonist, wrestling with his own demons while trying to raise his mentally disabled son, Bishop. As an agnostic schoolteacher, he embodies modernity and rationalism, challenging Tarwater's religious worldview and ultimately becoming his foil.

Mason Tarwater (Mentor)

Mason Tarwater, the deceased great-uncle of Francis Marion, plays a crucial role through his edicts and teachings, which Tarwater struggles to comprehend and fulfill. Serving as a spiritual guide, Mason's character provides a foundation for the protagonist's internal conflict.

Bishop (Symbolic Figure)

Bishop, the mentally disabled son of Rayber, portrays the symbolic figure of innocence and vulnerability. Eager to embrace spiritual experiences, Bishop becomes a metaphor for the larger themes of the novel, representing the duality of man's capacity for both good and evil.

Old Tarwater (Ancestor)

Though appearing briefly, Old Tarwater serves as a haunting ancestral figure within the narrative. His ambiguous presence adds depth and complexity to the protagonist's struggle with the legacy he inherited.

Sabbath Lily (Supporting Character)

Sabbath Lily is a young girl who interacts with Tarwater during his journey, offering a counterpoint to his isolation and engaging him in moments of connection and reflection. Her role as a supporting character highlights the significance of human connection in Tarwater's journey.

Character Descriptions

Francis Marion Tarwater

Francis Marion Tarwater is a brooding, introspective young man deeply shaped by his isolated upbringing and the religious fervor imposed upon him by his great-uncle, Mason. Physically strong and resilient, Tarwater possesses an unwavering sense of purpose despite wrestling with doubts and internal conflicts.

Rayber

Rayber is a disillusioned intellectual struggling with the moral implications of his choices and the burden of raising Bishop. He is described as thin and nervous, often at odds with his own agnostic beliefs and haunted by the specter of his deceased wife.

Mason Tarwater

Mason Tarwater, deceased at the start of the novel, looms large over the narrative through the teachings and commands he imparts on his great-nephew, Tarwater. He is depicted as an enigmatic and religiously fervent figure, determined to ensure the continuation of their prophetic mission.

Bishop

Bishop is described as a mentally disabled young man with a childlike innocence that belies the underlying complexities of his character. Unable to communicate effectively or understand the religious indoctrination around him, Bishop represents the vulnerability and potential within every individual.

Old Tarwater

Old Tarwater, glimpsed through dreams and flashbacks, represents the ancestral burden that Tarwater must confront. He is portrayed as a stern, unyielding figure, lending an element of both fear and reverence to his character.

Sabbath Lily

Sabbath Lily is a teenage girl with a maternal instinct who forms a connection with Tarwater during his journey. She is depicted as fragile yet resilient, providing moments of tenderness and human connection amidst the darkness and violence of the narrative.

Character Traits

Francis Marion Tarwater

• Introspective
• Determined
• Conflicted
• Alienated

Rayber

• Skeptical
• Nervous
• Ambiguous
• Unfulfilled

Mason Tarwater

• Fanatical
• Authoritative
• Mysterious
• Zealous

Bishop

• Innocent
• Vulnerable
• Curious
• Enigmatic

Old Tarwater

• Stern
• Unyielding
• Mysterious
• Authoritative

Sabbath Lily

• Maternal
• Fragile
• Resilient
• Compassionate

Character Background

Francis Marion Tarwater

Tarwater grows up in isolation, raised by his great-uncle Mason in rural Georgia. His traumatic childhood, marked by a religious mission imposed by Mason, shapes his worldview and sets him on a path of inner turmoil.

Rayber

A schoolteacher born into a religious family, Rayber rejects religious dogma and embraces skepticism. He struggles with the responsibilities of raising Bishop and grapples with the loss of his wife, leading to a crisis of faith.

Mason Tarwater

Mason is depicted as a religious zealot who firmly believes he is a prophet and that Tarwater is destined to carry on their mission. His fervent teachings mold Francis Marion's beliefs, resulting in a conflicted and burdened psyche.

Bishop

Bishop's background remains unclear, but his mental disability and vulnerability leave him at the mercy of those around him. He becomes a central figure in the battle between faith and reason.

Old Tarwater

Old Tarwater serves as the ancestral legacy haunting Francis Marion. His strict religious upbringing and unyielding moral code instill fear and obligation in the protagonist, even after his death.

Sabbath Lily

Sabbath Lily's background remains relatively unknown, but her compassion and maternal instincts provide a counterbalance to the dark and violent world surrounding Tarwater.

Character Arcs

Francis Marion Tarwater

Tarwater's character arc follows his journey towards self-discovery and personal liberation from the burden of his great-uncle's legacy. Initially resistant to his destiny, he undergoes a transformation, culminating in a moment of realization and acceptance of his own agency.

Rayber

Rayber's character arc revolves around his struggle with doubt, cynicism, and the desire to protect Bishop from the oppressive religious influence symbolized by Tarwater and his great-uncle. His arc intersects with Tarwater's, resulting in a climax that challenges his beliefs.

Mason Tarwater

Although already deceased at the beginning of the story, Mason's presence and teachings shape the narrative. His arc is depicted through Tarwater's attempt to fulfill the prophetic mission indoctrinated within him.

Bishop

Bishop's arc represents a quest for meaning and connection in a world he is ill-equipped to understand. Through encounters with Tarwater and others, he explores the boundaries of his mental limitations and navigates the fine line between innocence and vulnerability.

Old Tarwater

Old Tarwater's arc is as much a reflection of Francis Marion's journey as it is a representation of ancestral burden and the consequences of blind religious devotion.

Sabbath Lily

Sabbath Lily's arc primarily revolves around her interactions and connections with Tarwater, offering moments of respite and tenderness. Her character serves as a catalyst for introspection and moments of revelation for the protagonist.

Relationships

Francis Marion Tarwater and Rayber

The relationship between Tarwater and Rayber is one of conflicting ideologies. Tarwater's deep religiosity clashes with Rayber's skepticism, resulting in a battle of wills and a clash of worldviews.

Francis Marion Tarwater and Mason Tarwater

Mason Tarwater is both a mentor and a tormentor to Tarwater. Their relationship is marked by a complex power dynamic and a struggle for control over Tarwater's beliefs and actions.

Francis Marion Tarwater and Bishop

Tarwater's relationship with Bishop is characterized by a mix of responsibility, protectiveness, and attempts to impart meaning and spirituality. Their connection highlights the fragile yet powerful bonds that can exist across diverse experiences.

Francis Marion Tarwater and Sabbath Lily

Tarwater's relationship with Sabbath Lily introduces moments of tenderness and human connection into his isolated existence. Her compassion helps him question and confront his inherited beliefs, leading to personal growth.

In conclusion, "The Violent Bear It Away" presents a rich tapestry of characters who grapple with themes of religion, fate, and the struggle for personal agency. Each character contributes unique perspectives and challenges the others, creating a nuanced exploration of the human condition. Through their diverse roles, traits, backgrounds, arcs, and relationships, Flannery O'Connor invites readers to confront deeper philosophical questions and engage with the complexities of faith and identity.