Nathan Price...to sum it up...he's a clinical sociopath.
Basically Nathan's beliefs started after his experience in WWII, after being the only survivor, he views himself as a coward and unworthy of God's forgiveness. He ultimately decides to never be a coward again and devotes his life to saving as many souls as he possibly can. But its rather obvious from the beginning of the book that Nathan is anything BUT brave and only looking to help himself and not others (though I believe he actually thinks otherwise). His beliefs take on a simplistic outlook of not just morals, but everyday life.
Nathan became a missionary only to save his own soul, not to selflessly help other people, he is also egotistic to the max. and unable to face the real world with all of it's flaws.
Here's the scary part, Nathan not only seems to lack compassion for his own family but also seems to despise them. He does not like the idea of female intelligence,thus the irony of having an entire female family. He spreads God's name only because he feels that "God is watching him" and disapproves of any other behaviour. Nathan also deals with sexual urges (similar to Frollo from the hunchback of Notre Dame...if I'm the only loser who remembers that movie) and that is a big reason to why he hates and resents his family. Basically Nathan Price is abusive, sexist, majorly corrupted, and flat out crazy!
Agree, like what Ruth said, knowing the big picture. Nathan, as a extremely faithful Christian, he should know better than “buying” his way to heaven and ask for forgiveness, he should consider more on the “giving” and “sacrificing”. He himself going to Congo is considered to be charity but on rest of the family's perspective, he should be more considerate. He should look at the big picture, thinking is his own guilt and mental issue greater than the responsibility he has to protect his family. Nathan, as a dedicated Christian, he should know better, it's the thought that God judges you on, not the act.
ReplyDeleteSimon, your comment here kinda contrasts what you posted on my post. You said we need to sympathize with him.
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