The Process of Spiritual Evolution and Purification -- A Thematic Analysis of Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women, was one of the most famous works written by George McDonald. Many scholars doubted whether it had a consistent theme. In fact, by looking at the story structure of the novel, we find that, in the design of the plot, the author consciously compared it with the Bible, such as Adam committing original sin for self-love, David maintaining social order against Goliath, and Jesus resurrecting after dying for human sacrifice. They were used to show that one man should abandon his love for himself and for society and rise to the love of God. In "Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women", McDonald explored the love for individuals in the violation of the prohibition, explored the love for others in the maintenance of secular order, then thought human should pursue the love of God in the negation of the material individual secular. McDonald was a priest and thought the theology should train people to be a perfect children of God, MacDonald agreed with Calvin's Predestination theory that, it was God who sought man, not man who sought God on his own initiative. Suffering in adversity was also a way for people to understand and deepen their faith. He combined the pastor's pastoral and the writer's writing, and expressed his views on how to seek God in his works. Therefore, this novel, not only is regarded as a fantasy novel from literature, also expresses the process of personal spiritual Purification from religion.
Author: Jiaxin Liu
Institution: University of Glasgow
Language: English
Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4386846421