This term paper analyzes ideals of religion and art based on the novel of Sinclair RossAs for me and my house.The plot is set during the Great Depression in Canada and is about two artists that have been married since twelve years and presently live in a small town called Horizon. Philip Bentley, the minister of the town’s church, devotes his spare time to painting and his wife who takes care of the household plays the piano once in a while at home, but gave up her career as a musician.
There can be no denying the fact that a society and its culture and values affect and influence peoples’ life to a certain extent. Therefore, as starting point cultural and regional aspects determining men’s life during the Great Depression that took place from 1929 until 1939 will be dealt with.
At a second step I will have a closer look at religion and art as creative powers. Subsequently, an analysis of the novel in question will face Philip Bentley’s view of religion and his vision of an artist through the eyes of his wife, the narrator of the story.
In chapter three parallels between religion and art will be drawn based on definitions by renowned philosophers. Finally, as a conclusion I will sum up the crucial points of religion and art identified.
Table of Contents
0 Introduction
1 Cultural and regional aspects determining men’s life during the Great Depression in Canada
2 Religion and art as Creative Powers
2.1 Philip Bentley’s view of religion
2.2. Philip Bentley’s vision of an artist
3 Religion and art – parallels drawn
4 Conclusions
5 Works Consulted
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the interplay between religion and art within Sinclair Ross’s novel "As for me and my house," set against the backdrop of the Canadian Great Depression. It explores how these two creative forces serve as mechanisms for coping with socio-economic hardship and how they define the identity and inner conflicts of the protagonist, Philip Bentley.
- The socio-economic impact of the Great Depression on Canadian life.
- Philip Bentley’s complex relationship with the church and his professional obligations.
- The conceptual definition of art and its role in human expression.
- Philosophical parallels between religious faith and artistic creation.
- The discrepancy between individual aspirations and societal expectations in a small-town setting.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Philip Bentley’s vision of an artist
According to Mrs. Bentley’s diary Philip perceives himself as an artist. He tried to write a book earlier in order to escape the Church, but the artist in him wasn’t satisfied with it and that’s why he gave up with literature:
That was when he tried to write. He had no literary ambitions – it was just that he hoped to earn enough writing to escape the Church before it was too late – but still the artist in him was uppermost, instead of trying to make his story popular and saleable, he pushed it on somberly the way he felt it ought to go. It was a failure, of course, and it exhausted him (Ross, 1989, p. 45).
Philip is no artisan and does not take over any duties in or around the house. He works as a lunatic on painting and therefore moves totally into his studies locked up in his office. He draws all kind of pictures i.e. persons as Judith West, animals or sceneries. He seems to escape reality by painting. According to Mrs. Bentley Philip is in a vicious circle. She notices that his hypocrisy vis-à-vis the Church and himself affects his soul and takes away all his initiative and self respect.
Philip gives the impression to really understand art as a perfect concept of its own. He envisions the creation of art as a state of proficiency that ought to be looked upon with abstraction. Mrs. Bentley states:
“According to Philip it’s form that’s important in a picture, not the subject or the associations, that the subject calls to mind; the pattern you see, not the literary emotion you feel […] a picture worth its salt is supposed to make you experience something that he calls aesthetic excitement…”(Ross, 1989, p. 105).
Summary of Chapters
0 Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's focus on religion and art in Sinclair Ross’s novel and sets the context of the Canadian Great Depression.
1 Cultural and regional aspects determining men’s life during the Great Depression in Canada: This section details the economic collapse and harsh living conditions in Canada during the 1930s and their impact on the population.
2 Religion and art as Creative Powers: This chapter explores the theoretical definitions of religion and art as influential, creative forces in human life.
2.1 Philip Bentley’s view of religion: This sub-chapter examines Philip Bentley’s conflicted relationship with the church and his role as a preacher.
2.2. Philip Bentley’s vision of an artist: This sub-chapter analyzes Philip's self-perception as an artist and his struggles with creative expression.
3 Religion and art – parallels drawn: This chapter synthesizes philosophical views to highlight the commonalities between religious experience and artistic creation.
4 Conclusions: The final chapter summarizes the findings and reflects on the intimate connection between divine creation and human artistry.
5 Works Consulted: A list of academic sources and references used throughout the study.
Keywords
Sinclair Ross, As for me and my house, Great Depression, Religion, Art, Philip Bentley, Canadian Literature, Creativity, Aesthetics, Philosophy, Preacher, Form, Emotional expression, Socio-economic, Horizon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper provides a critical analysis of the ideals of religion and art as depicted in Sinclair Ross’s novel "As for me and my house," focusing on the interplay between these themes during the Great Depression.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the impact of the Canadian Great Depression, the nature of artistic creation, the philosophical relationship between religion and art, and the personal struggles of the protagonist.
What is the main objective or research question?
The objective is to investigate how religion and art function as creative powers and to determine how the narrator perceives the protagonist's internal and professional conflicts.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The study utilizes a literary analysis approach, combined with historical context regarding the Great Depression and philosophical definitions of art and religion.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body covers the historical environment of the novel, an analysis of Philip Bentley’s professional and personal life, and a philosophical comparison between the act of creating art and religious faith.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Essential keywords include Sinclair Ross, Great Depression, religion, art, creativity, aesthetic excitement, and the protagonist Philip Bentley.
How does Philip Bentley reconcile his profession with his artistic passion?
Philip views both religion and art as mechanisms to escape the material world, yet he struggles with the hypocrisy of his position as a preacher versus his internal dedication to painting.
Why is the Great Depression significant for the characters in the novel?
The era serves as a crushing external force that limits the characters' financial stability and contributes to their sense of being trapped in their social and religious roles in the town of Horizon.
What parallels does the author draw between God and an artist?
The paper suggests that both God and the artist act as creators—one creating the universe from a void, and the other creating art from his mind, both seeking to give form to human existence.
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- Katja Burk-Pitzer (Autor:in), 2004, Ideals of Religion and Art in Sinclair Ross's "As for me and my house", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/44846
