Robert Falconer: Chapters 34 - 43

These chapters show the working of Providence in Robert’s life, slowly making him to become the model of the ideal Christian.  Dr Anderson plays an important role as he takes an ongoing interest in Robert, Ericson,  and Shargar. He decides  to will his money to Robert after his demise, and provides for Shargar-- rightly called George Moray--to be enrolled in grammar school, where he does very well.   

When Ericson is better, he and Robert go to visit the Lindsays, and there they meet Lindsay’s daughter Mysie.  Mysie is described as naive, imaginative, and vulnerable.  Later, the Baron of Rothie calls, and Mysie is much impressed by his outer appearance, but fails to perceive his real being.


At the end of the school session, Robert and Ericson return to Rothieden, making their way through a storm, catching a ride on a coach, meeting Miss St. John, and spending a night in an abandoned home.   


Back in Rothieden, Robert has a series of experiences, each of which providentially has a shaping effect upon his character.  He is gladly received by the village and his accomplishments celebrated by everyone.  He encounters Mary St. John, treats her with great reverence and awe, urges her to visit the distressed Jesse Hewson (who seems to have committed suicide), and Ericson, who has returned and is ill, nearing death.


Robert learns that Jesse is living in a ramshackle house in Aberdeen with a new-born child, having been seduced by Lord Rothie, Shagar’s brother.   He also learns that Ericson is dying back in Rothieden, and returns to see him.  Ericson dies two days later. With that, Robert’s youth ends, we are told.     


Feeling restless, he asks Dr. Anderson for some money to permit him to travel, and he goes to the continent.  The spires of churches, which symbolize the deep aspirations of the true human heart, arouse in Robert the desire after righteousness and purity.  The words of Christ, “My peace I give to you,” bring to him a sense of peace and trust.  Interacting with nature in the Alps, he is filled with peace.  MacDonald had himself recently visited the Alps and they made a great impression upon him.


Robert perceives that the most important thing in any one’s life is simply to do the will of God for him as an individual.  MacDonald concludes:


Next it grew plain that what he came to do, was just to lead his life. . . . He was to lead the life God meant him to lead.  The will of God was to be found and done in the world.  In seeking a true relation to the world, he would find his relation to God.


 Thus Robert finds his true calling and hence becomes the model Christian.


Comments

Sarah W said…
Eric Ericson is a character that I have not yet been able to access. Some of it might be that I am NOT a careful reader when it comes to poetry; every once in awhile I access a poem and understand its speech but usually I glaze over; I suspect the beauty in the heart of Ericson is mostly demonstrated in his poetry. I don't find GMacD's descriptions at all compelling ("A smile broke up the cold, sad, gray light of the young eagle-face. Stern at once and gentle when in repose, its smile was as the summer of some lovely land where neither the heat nor the sun shall smite them. "); it seems to me that Ericson over-indulged in melancholy. But there was a time when GMacD's writings (other than the children's stories) were wholly inaccessible to me - I persevered because people who I love loved him and finally began to make sense of a good deal of it to a degree, even Lilith. So, because the characters I can love - Robert, Shargar, and Mary - love Ericson, I will continue to try!
December 5, 2020 at 6:15 AM
Rolland Hein said…
I should have mentioned in my commentary that Ericson is a portrait of MacDonald's brother John, who became ill from tuberculosis and died in 1858, just a few years before MacDonald was writing this novel. John was a poet, and struggled with his faith in a manner very like Ericson. The poetry that the novel contains is John's; MacDonald included it as a tribute to the memory of his brother, whom he dearly loved. The original issue of this novel contained much more of it, but Michael Phillips, in editing and publishing this Cullen edition, wisely omitted much of it. I sympathize with your attitude toward it.
December 5, 2020 at 8:39 AM
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