Forgiveness, Christianity, and Class in Mary Barton.
Rousseau's paradox statesso called progress in letters, in society,.
indeed in civilization has only serves to pervert the innate goodness of man.? .
Although this is more a testament to class than religion, there are still.
spiritual undertones to it. The less that we have, be it wealth, intelligence.
or opportunity, the better we are able to conduct ourselves as human beings,.
meaning we will be more likely to help others in need because we will be.
empathetic towards our fellow man. The religious tones to Rousseau's.
statement, if we follow Judeo-Christian train of thought, are that we were.
created in God's image, and God is good, so we should be as well. While Marx.
claims that religion is the opiate of the masses, perhaps it is also a.
necessity, so that we are able to forget our sufferings and remember what is.
good and true in our lives. The novel Mary Barton is about thisinnate.
goodness? of man. We may make mistakes, but we have the capacity, indeed the.
responsibility, to forgive one another. Margaret wants to help Mary even though.
she is unsure of Jem's innocence; Carson finds his faith and ability to.
forgive through his son's murderer, and Barton can let go because of.
Carson's spiritual growth; and finally Mary finds her own faith in her quest.
to prove Jem's innocence.
Margaret, pious throughout the entire novel is ultimately rewarded for her.
goodness, in several ways. She loses her sight, but instead of starving to.
death, she has the opportunity to sing and make money, more than she even needs. .
She gives this extra money to Mary, when she is hungry, and when she goes to.
Liverpool: .
?I sometimes think there's two sides to the commandment; and that we may say.
?let others do unto you, as you would do unto them;? for pride often.
prevents our giving others a great deal of pleasure, in not letting them be.
kind, when their hearts are so longing to help? (262).
