Why is Gabriel at once attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways? How are the two more alike than Gabriel would want to believe? In other words, what do we learn about Gabriel that is revealed directly through his interactions with Esther?
I believe that Gabriel is attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and apologetic ways because he wants her, but he knows she isn't any good for him. Esther is a "harlot" and he is a Reverend. She is temptation (which is considered a sin) and he is Holy. Those two things do not mix.I would not say that they are alike but rather more compatible. We all know, from the previous section that we were supposed to read, that he and Deborah do not have the BEST relationship. "The voice to which he listened to in his mind, and the face that he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Esther." (p115) He did not love Deborah nor does he want to be with her any longer. It was even mentioned a few times that he hated her. He realized how "joyless" his marriage was and how "undesirable" Deborah had become to him. Through his interaction with Esther we learn how much of a coward Gabriel is. He wasn't thinking about the ultimate consequence of fornicating with Esther, not once but nine times. They were in the affair together, but as soon as she told him that she was pregnant he jumped ship. He began to accuse her of having other partners, and claimed that the baby was not his. She was all of a sudden in it by herself. She even left Gabriel speechless when she told him that she was more ashamed of having him as her baby's father than conceiving the baby. She said that she's not ashamed of it but she is ashamed of him. She also adds that "..it takes a holy man to make a girl a real whore." (p.132) Even though Gabriel is a reverend he is still a man, and ultimately, he is human. It is easy for any one to succumb to temptation. I feel like he knew what he was getting himself in, and with him being in a relationship where he really doesn't love his wife, it makes it THAT much easier. He's a coward because he bailed on Esther. He was more worried about his image with the church.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting and very similar blog to what I would say about the events that took place in the section that was required to read. First off, I like the way you used the word temptation, to say the Esther was a sin. She was the sin that Satan used to trap Gabriel, and he fell for it. They are alike in many ways. She is a lost soul, and even though he is a reverend, he too can be considered a lost soul because he can't find what he truly desires in his life. Although, Esther and Gabriel are more compatible than he and Deborah. I chose to speak on the quote "The voice to which he listened in his mind, and face he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Esther" also. Gabriel did not love his wife, he hated her, and his hatred grew each day. Gabriel did indeed act cowardly because he knew that he was the person who impregnated Esther, and he did want to have the responsibility of being a father to a so-called harlot's child. As a preacher, and a man of God, he should accept the consequences and tell his wife what he has done. Overall, this was a great blog that you've wrote because I feel the exact same way about everything that was mentioned.
DeleteI agree with everything you said, especially that gabriel was tempted to have sex with esther and that just because he is a preacher doesn't mean that he cannot fall into temptation
DeleteI completely agree with everything you said in your response. I feel as if Gabriel has two sides to him, possible an ego other than being a rev. He wants to bring excitement into his life but yet he doesn't want to have too much fun because he doesn't want to get caught up. You explained everything very well.
DeleteI strongly agree with your post. In all aspects, you described within it. Both of your points made sense. I feel Gabriel was attracted to Esther in the begining of their affiar because he knew she shouldn't have her. But once he got her and things turned sour, the was more disgusted with her. Therefore, your response stood out to me and satisfied the question in every aspect.
DeleteI totally agree with everything you said. He knew what he was getting himself into yet he couldn't find the urge to stop. He is completely a jerk for abandoning Esther after he got her pregnant. I kind of feel like Gabriel and Deborah didn't have any love towards each other because if they did, she probably would've felt some kind of way when she knew about the affair. She was rather very passive about it. Gabriel knew he was stuck with Esther when she got pregnant, that's why he was disgusted with her. He wanted to get away but he couldn't because his blood was inside of Esther. He paid her to keep her mouth shut. It kind of makes me think about the prostitution system. What a coward.
DeleteI totally agree with your response. At first Gabriel felt a need and want for Esther, but like anything else after he got a little taste of it he didn't want the relationship anymore. The funniest example would be when i first got a dog and I was like,"OH MY GOD A PUPPY!" but after a while he started tearing up everything, and I didn't want him anymore but like anything else your stuck with him or her i Gabriel's case.
DeleteI agree totally, temptation was taking over him even though he knew that she wasn't good for him.
DeleteI completely agree with your post. It really shows how Gabriel battles with his two "identities" you could say. Because on one side he's a highly revered reverend with an entire congregation looking up too him and on the other he is a cheater who has committed adultery with someone other than Deborah, the woman in his current relationship. Very good post!
DeleteWell made answer, it included all the aspects of the question. I feel that Gabriel is a coward that you often see who has no idea what he is getting himself into. Rather he makes decisions that do not satisfy him later on. I really his type of guy where he gets into relationship that does not provide happiness or bail out on a girl when he gets her pregnant.
Deletei totally agree withy you bre. i just believe in a man abandoning a women with his child.
DeleteI agree with you thoughts about Gabriel because even though he is a pastor, that does not mean that he can not be tempted by theses worldly things such as the temptation of ESther
DeleteI truly understand your point of view with this post. Because like you said in so many words you can be holy and a sinner your either hot or cold
DeleteThis is by far the most agreeable post, because as a pastor, Gabriel should know right from wrong, and to be so hypocritical by frowning upon those who were fornicating while married, when he did the same thing nine times. And he gets Esther pregnant and doesn't want to own up to his responsibilities as a man, father, and sinner.
DeleteI agree but we must understand that even though Gabriel is a man of God he still lived in the flesh so he will always be tempted.
DeleteI agree with your post. I like that you included the churches expectations of Gabriel and his struggle with temptation. Gabriel portrays himself as someone who is not sinful, but ultimately he sins just like the next person. Although he initiated the affair Esther is just as wrong. The only difference is she admits that she is sinning instead of hiding it like Gabriel. Gabriel tries to cover up his sins to seem more holy instead of human.
DeleteI loved the way you wrote your blog. It was interesting how you used realism to connote Gabriel's actions. We must understand that church figures are put on such a huge pedestal, and we must not judge.
DeleteI like your point of view on how he is human and can still be tempted even though he is a pastor.
DeleteGreat way to write a blog, i loved your point a view. I loved how you included how the church had expectations of Gabriel, which made his struggle with temptation even greater.
DeleteGabriel at once was attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because he saw something in her that he did not see in his wife Deborah, and figured that he could change a beautiful women to his liking. An example Gabriel's extreme attraction towards Esther was when the book says, "The voice to which he listened in his mind, and face he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Esther" (Baldwin 115). Gabriel is disgusted with Esther because she is not, nor will she ever become ready to accept God into her sinful life. He tries to will her into to accepting Christ when he gave a sermon at church that was directed mainly to her, a sinner. Her became furious when he realized that Esther did do what he had hoped for her to do at the church. He figured that she would rise up and walk down the church's aisle and allow God and the congregation to welcome her into Christ, but her stubbornness prevented him from getting through to her. Gabriel could not help but to be interested in Esther, for he saw something in her that he did not see in Deborah, his own wife. He is heavenly attracted to this women, and there is nothing that could stop this temptation. Gabriel enjoyed talking to Esther; talking to one another was something that he and Deborah never really did, even though they were married (Baldwin 114). This shows his lack of love for his wife because he does not even enjoy listening to his wife speak. In fact, he hates his wife. Gabriel has an affair with Esther, and she is able to have a child by him; this is something his wife Deborah can not do for him . Gabriel and Esther are alike because the both of them knew that they could not eventually be together. The two of them are more attracted to each other, than he is with his own wife. They argue and fight over why Gabriel does not want the responsibility of taking care of his son to be, and even leave Deborah to be with Esther. Esther, indeed blackmails Gabriel into getting him to give her money so she and his son can go away. She proclaims that if he does not, then she will tell everyone in the town about their relationship.
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DeleteI agree with you. Gabriel allowed Esther to take his heart away from his wife. The temptation that Esther possesses leads Gabriel down a very sinful path. He hates his wife because she cannot give him what Esther can.
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DeleteI like your approach on this section of this book. I especially like how you explain the relations of Gabriel and Esther and how they knew they could never be together. I mentioned this in my post this week, Gabriel could not be with her because of he was a husband and man of God. He cared so much about his image that he paid Esther to disappear and keep her mouth closed when she was expecting their baby. I also liked how you talked about how Esther was everything that Deborah was not. She was pretty and able to have children.
DeleteI think that Gabriel is attracted and disgusted by Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways because she is different from his wife Deborah. She is everything that Deborah is not and that’s what makes him feel as though he hates Deborah. On the other hand, he has the urge to want to change Esther from her ugly sinful ways and bring her closer to the lord. They are more alike than Gabriel thinks because just as Esther is sinning, Gabriel also committed a sin by having sex with her and getting her pregnant while he already has a wife. What makes it even worse is that he is a preacher and is supposed to be living a holy lifestyle and he pays off Esther to maintain his image with his church and town.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is more attracted to Esther than he is with his wife Deborah because Esther possess something that Deborah does not. Esther is the exact opposite of Deborah, and that is something that interest Gabriel the most about her. I also said that Gabriel and Esther are similar to one another because they are sinful. You are definitely correct; as a preacher, Gabriel is supposed to be living a christian life, and he pays off Esther just to maintain his image with his church and the town. In conclusion, your blog is very straightforward and you get straight to the point in what you wanted to say. It is a lot less easier to read your blog, than to read some of our longer blogs that seem like essays.
DeleteI agree with your statement. Deborah and Ester represent opposite traits which fascinate Gabriel. I also agree with your comment that they have more in common than Gabriel would like to except. they are both sinners.
DeleteYes, I agree with you when you say how they are more alike than Gabriel think. He doesn't realize that even though a sin is a sin, the main people he is trying to impress and be this "perfect" reverend/preacher, will view his sin as higher because of the religious position he upholds.
DeleteI agree with all of you on this idea of Gabriel and Esther being more alike than he thinks. As all humans are they are sinners as well but they are trying to uphold some sort of reputation. Gabriel wants to seem perfect even though he is nowhere close to it.
DeleteI believe also that Gabriel sees Esther as the exact opposite of his wife. However, he treats Esther like dirt because she will harm his righteous image. Yet, on the inside he is deeply interested in her but knows they could never be together. Also, I agree that Gabriel doesn't see that a sin is a sin which in return makes him more like Esther than he thinks.
DeleteI agree with your blog because it's pretty straightforward. I love how you mention that Gabriel is supposed to be living a holy lifestyle but instead pays Esther to keep his image good with the church. This explains that Gabriel is holy from the outside, which is only in front of the church, but bad in the inside because the sin he has done and wants to keep his image the way it is (holy).
DeleteI like how you put this sometimes a persons mate may not be able to do what you like them to do so you go and search in other areas.
DeleteI agree with everything you said, especially that Gabriel was tempted to have sex with Esther and that just because he is a preacher doesn't mean that he cannot fall into temptation.
DeleteI believe it is evident that Gabriel has a lusting eye for Esther. He is at once attracted to and disgusted by Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways because of his desire for her. He also knows it is wrong for him to want her and she is nothing but trouble for him. Gabriel appeared to be doing the work of the Lord by inviting a sinner, Esther, to church to hear His word. But in all actuality he invited her to church because he wanted another excuse to see her again. He was sinning because he lusted after her and he allowed his heart to be taken by another woman besides his wife, Deborah. “he felt the power of God go out of him.” (115) Gabriel is allowing Esther’s presence at the service to distract him from his one purpose of the night and that is to deliver God’s word to His people. Esther is no good for Gabriel but he cannot seem to help himself when it comes to her. Olivia Sherman: Week 7
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying because not only did he invite her to church to see her, he invited her so that she would be able to hear the sermon he made just for her. I believe he only made the message so that she would ask God for forgiveness but so when she do he can justify him being with her. And even though he knew she was tempting him he decided to keep being around her not thinking about his wife but he cared about what other people thought of him.
DeleteI like how you including Gabriel's underlying reason for invited Esther to church. I did not think to include that into my blog. I feel like Gabriel put himself into this situation, he was very easily tempted by Esther.
DeleteI like your perspective on why Gabriel invited Ester to church. On the surface it looks like he invited Ester to try to help her get her life together and lead her to the Lord, but the underlying reason could be to really just see her again like you said. I never thought about that, that he had his own selfish motives.
DeleteGabriel was not always a holy man, he was once a man consumed by the temptations of the world. Esther is also a worldly woman who is not the most holy person. Gabriel sees his old self in her, which is why he is so reluctant to let her go on with her sin filled life. But she was very stubborn to his efforts. This frustrated Gabriel and at the same time attracted him to her. Gabriel was attracted to women that spoke up, which Deborah did not talk to Gabriel out of “respect”. Esther was that person that Gabriel was more compatible with “the voice to which he listened in his mind, the face he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Esther” (114). He enjoyed the conversation that he had with the beautiful women even though she does not know the Lord. Esther pursued Gabriel, and he just looked at her lustily even though he was married. He really wanted her but he was married and was a reverend so he could not pursue her. And Esther is would not be an ideal wife for the Reverend because she is so worldly, he cares about what his image to people. She asks Gabriel if he had done something he was ashamed of, and he said yes. This was his past before he becomes a pastor. And after she becomes pregnant she expresses that she felt the most ashamed of him. She talks about how she feels like he just treats her so cheap. He only used her for the sex that he was not receiving with his wife. He for the most part he just leaves her hanging after he gets what he wants from her, he doesn’t talk to her anymore.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this claim. I also believe Gabriel felt jealousy because Ester does not care for others' opinions as well as speaking her mind. She represents temptation and freedom from peer pressure and religious rules. Gabriel admires her for these qualities which attracts him to her. He feels guilt for admiring her which causes him to act as a cad and dismiss her and their son. It is very unseemly for the Reverend to care for a harlot with any other emotion except sadness and pity.
DeleteI agree with your statement, I do believe that Gabriel sees himself in Esther. Just like Esther, he was also a sinner who was lost and needed to find a way. The only difference between them is the fact that Gabriel wanted to change but Esther doesn't see a need to change. He needed more from Deborah in his marriage and I believe he found that in Esther. Deborah and Gabriel had a different type of relationship and he wasn't fully satisfied.
DeleteAlso i believe that Esther is a symbol or rather further reveals Gabriel's hypocrisy. Him being with both women shows how he cannot choose between which life he wants and him acting as if he is free from sin further illustrates his hypocrisy.
DeleteI think you are right being that they are sinners and their attraction to one another. They represent both their shame and humiliation of interacting with one another and recognizing their positions in life.
DeleteGabriel is at once attracted to and disgusted by Ester's proud and unapologetic ways because he sees the beauty that his wife, Deborah, does not have. Baldwin goes on to describe his attraction to Ester, rather than Deborah, by stating, "The voice to which he listened in his mind, and the face he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Ester" (114). On the other hand, Gabriel is unsatisfied with Ester's lack of devotion to God and unwillingness to take religion into her sinful life. Gabriel also dislikes the fact that Ester brings emphasize to Deborah's faults and causes him to have thoughts against his marriage. Ester is the opposite of Deborah which fascinates Gabriel and forces him to react by having an affair. He also allows Ester to distract him from relaying his word of God which is represented by his distraction during his sermon and the betrayal of his marriage.
ReplyDeleteThis was a different approach than I took but I completely agree with you. Ester did try to persuade Gabriel to leave his wife because of her faults like not being attracted and not being able to have children. She also threaten to reveal him to the town and she tried to ruin him. He is disgusted with these qualities in her. However he is extremely attracted to her physically and by these means alone she was able to get him to defile his marriage and have a bastard child with Ester. Good post.
DeleteI agree. Gabriel is unsatisfied with Essie’s lack of devotion to God. I think if she was more devoted he would have had a lasting relationship with her.
DeleteI like the though you put in this. Including Deborah into this shines the desires of Gaabriel and his obligation with Deborah.
DeleteGabriel was once attracted to and disgusted by Ester's proud and unapologetic ways because he desired to be with her and she was different from his previous wife, Deborah. However, he knew that a relationship between them would not work because they were alike yet so different. He was a Reverend and he knew if he was to be with her, he would be sinning. They are more alike because they both desire to have the same thing but they can't because it would be a sin. Through Gabriel interactions with Ester, I learn that he is more concerned about his position; he is worried more about what others may think of him that he is willing to hurt the one he truly cares about.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement because at the end of the day, all Gabriel is trying to do is protect his own reputation. The comment about you saying why he dislikes Deborah, I do agree with that because the way Baldwin describes Deborah is very different from Esther ad you can see that through the language. Deborah was looked upon as "skinny ad black." When it came to Esther he carefully described the beauty of her hair and so on. Indeed, he does understand that the affair that they had was a sin, because Esther was not his wife. Deborah was his wife.
DeleteEarlier, in the book Gabriel was once attracted to Deborah because he mainly had pity for her. She had been there since he was a young boy, even coming up as a Reverend. I think that if anything he admired hoe helpful she was even in the times he was sinning. So he looked at it as more of a payback, because she helped him in trouble times so he should do the same. However, he dislikes her because now that he has found a new temptation in Esther he compares her to Deborah. For this reason, he sees tings that makes her ugly because she does not posses the assets that Esther has. Esther and Deborah are alike being they both were looked upon as "harlots." Throughout, this section it reveals hoe Gabriel indeed is just like any other elderly Reverend in whom he looked upon with disgust because they were making fun of Deborah. Just as the elderly pastors were acting out of conduct for talking about a church member, Gabriel was acting out of conduct because he was having an affair. I find this interesting that Baldwin called the character Esther, because just like the one in the bible she was beautiful too. Regarding Gabriel, I think as a man of God, it was very disrespectful to look at another woman who is not your wife, to have an affair, get the woman pregnant, and to steal money from your wife just to cover it up from the public. I do however find Esther;s letter as a sign when she says, "... I know you going to be brought low one of these fine days.I ain't holy like you are, but I know right from wrong." I believe this is foreshadow for hen his whole identity is revealed.Gabriel can hide it now, but he cannot hide for ever. Because whatever is done in the dark, does come to light.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your response due to the fact you noticed Gabriel's hatred of Deborah feeding off of his lust and attraction of Esther. He indeed serves as a double standard as he now sees in Deborah what the over Reverends saw in her when he defended her, a woman that was helpless and ugly in so many ways. I also agree that his past with Esther will haunt him and lead to a low point in his life, which is surely justified.
DeleteEven though your interpretation is completely different from mine, I completely agree with your response. You mentioning the connection between Gabriel's pity for Deborah and his decision to ask her hand in marriage reminded me of how it is stated that he also pities Esther, driving his attraction towards her. I also agree that Gabriel is no worse than the group of elder preachers that he encountered at the revival he attended, where he thought lowly of them for disrespecting Deborah. Your last quote does seem to foreshadow darker secrets about Gabriel that has not yet been revealed.
DeleteGabriel is both attracted to and disgusted by Ester due to disown desire and love for her. He is attracted to her by her physical attributes and the feeling he gets looking at her. She has the desirable physical attributes that his wife lacks and she knows that Gabriel wants her. She states that "you looked at me just like a man, like a man what hadn't never heard of the Holy Ghost" (pg. 120) because she knows that Gabriel wants her, but it is only his title as Reverend that keeps him holding her back and trying to save her. He loves her because he sees her as a soul that he can save as his first wife helped save his. I think Gabriel is only disgusted at her because of his own weakness and desires that he has for her that he knows are not of that which a Reverend should have. He is disgusted that she wants to live a sinful life that is what he feels she should live like. I think Gabriel almost wants Ester to get saved to be able to justify his love for her and so that the church will not shun him if he remarries to her. He is disgusted by him self for falling for and pushes the judgement upon her and tries to justify his actions by saying "even a reverend's got the right to take off his clothes sometime and act like a natural man"(pg. 125). This shows that Gabriel is hypercritical that he can say he has lost all his respect for her from now on, but he justifies the act. At least Ester realizes she is a sinner instead of Gabriel who is lukewarm justifying his actions that the devil in her tempted him. Gabriel is disgusted at Ester because of his own weaknesses in faith that he can fall so easily for and then not want anything to do with her baby. He tries to make her feel bad that she had sexual relations with a married man, but he feels to realize that the act could not have been committed alone. Gabriel tries to deal with his own guilt of his attraction for Ester, by evoking it as disgust.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Gabriel is attracted to and disgusted by Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways because she is very similar to him. Also, he is attracted to her even more by the simple fact that she is bad for his reputation, but the temptation causes him to lust for her even more. Esther would often go out with a different man frequently, adding flame to Gabriel’s hidden hatred of his wife Deborah. What drives him to realize his hatred is the life that he has left behind still calls upon him. He finds himself involved with Esther in the way that he was introduced to Deborah as both girls share a similar theme: a girl who is widely considered no good. Gabriel feels a sense of entitlement to Esther where he is willing to transform her into a church-going, spiritual woman. His deep desire to change her soon turns into the immoral passion that the two display when first having a sexual relationship. He often felt the need to preach to her about what they were doing was wrong and as Esther would casually express that he wasn’t “in the pulpit now…act like a natural man,” he felt the guilt and came to a conclusion: he and Esther were alike (125). They both had to obligation to give in to sin. The only difference between the two was that Gabriel would ponder about his sinfulness and Esther often lived her sinfulness out contributing to her reputation as a “harlot.” Gabriel’s sin reminds him very much of his past causing his pain and guilt to become even more intensified. Although these characters showed a difference in how they acted upon sin, sin is sin no matter the shape or form.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted and disgusted by Ester because she represents temptation and what he should not want as a Reverend. Ester is the type of person Gabriel would have conversed with as a young man. He cut his roaming ways short and still feels the sinful desires he decided to give up for religious reasons. She defies the strict ways the church requests of sinners because she knows she is going to sin again and wants to wait for redemption. Initially, Gabriel was also planning to wait for redemption; however his mom constantly reminded him she wanted him to change his ways and become saved. Ester's parents felt the same way as Ester so if Gabriel had the same type of parents as Ester than they might have been in the same position regarding religion. Ester's lifestyle is admired by Gabriel's subconscience, but he feels disgusted with himself for still wanting that lifestyle and disgusted with her for her illuminating his secret desires.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your interpretation. Esther represents temptation. You're very correct with your analysis of Esther's character. Gabriel did mention that she flocks around like a harlot to the men in town. Gabriel really feels attracted to Esther, but he is also disgusted with her at the same time.
DeleteYes, I agree with you about your last sentence. She really did illuminate all his secret desires. I'm not sure if she wants redemption. But yes, she needs to change her personality and repent.
I feel the exact same way. Ester symbolizes what Gabriel still wants. Even though he is a reverend he succumbed to Ester's temptation and he hates her for that because she is the same way he was when he was younger. He is disgusted by Ester because she reawakens his lustful and sinful past. Lastly, he despises her because she does not care about whether she goes to Hell or not.
DeleteI believe that Gabriel is attracted and disgusted by Ester’s proud and unapologetic ways because he sees someone that is very different from his wife; Ester pulls him in with her lustful ways but then again he doesn’t like the sinful life style she is trying to live. Both Ester and he are very different from each other where she is living a sinful life and he is a reverend and goes by the life that God has set out for us. At this point it seem as though Gabriel thought he would be able to change Ester by asking her to come to church, but it didn’t realize that you cannot change a person that doesn’t want to change or make a difference. He becomes more frustrated when he invites Ester to church and the sermon he speaks on is basically about her getting her life together. When he realize that she wasn’t going to repent for the sins she had committed he was ready to wash his hands with her. Also when she and her mother left the church right after the sermon showed that she wasn’t ready to give up on her life and the sin. Even though he was upset with her actions he still lust her for only he saw something different in her he didn’t see in his wife. The way Gabriel was doing things was sort of a sin and disrespect for his wife because he continued to talk to this woman even though he knew what both of their intentions were. He would rather have conversation with Ester than his wife so then I start to question the life style he is trying to live. Ester and Gabriel are alike because they are both after something that they cannot have but they still purse in each other. After having a fair with one and other Ester conceives a child which causes major problems because Gabriel feel as though he shouldn’t have to take care of the love child but then again he leaves his wife to be with Ester.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about Gabriel and Ester being very different from each other, but I do not think it is because Gabriel leads a sin free life as a reverend. It almost makes it worse to me that Gabriel is a reverend and looks down upon others such as Ester, because he is judging others that partake in sins just like he does. He is a lukewarm person. He should not lead a church if we will experience such lust for a person especially even if he can experience the lust during giving his sermon. At least Ester can own up to the fact that she is a sinner and takes responsibility for it where as Gabriel wants to make his sin the responsibility of Ester and allow her being involved to be an excuse for his actions. If he will rebuke one person and lack respect for someone who partakes in the same actions as his, is really really a sin free person that should lead a church? I think his disgust for Ester is his disgust for his inner self.
DeleteI agree with you Gabbrielle Revelation simply says So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.I feel he is no different for Ester, no since is larger than they other or without void. Gabriel is suppose to be leading a christian life to spread the gospel when all he is doing is tarnishing the name and calling of Christ.
DeleteGabriel is at once attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because to him she is somewhat forbidden fruit. Being that Esther isn't pure and is a loose woman he knows that he cannot ever be with her because of who is he which disgusts him but the idea of having a woman like her attracts him because it is something he wants to explore. Esther offers something to Gabriel that Deborah cannot and its the idea of risk and excitement. When with Esther he is not the same and finds himself tempted because she is so different from his wife. The two are more alike than Gabriel would want to believe because they are tempted by each other. Through his interactions with Esther we learn that Gabriel is not the man he portrays himself to be and that in fact he is human and makes mistakes. We also learn that he allows his life to revolve around his reputation and that is why he does so much to make sure it is not ruined by anyone finding out about Esther. Gabriel is ultimately only concerned with keeping up appearances and not even really with his own happiness.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment on how Esther was a forbidden fruit for Gabriel as it describes how he was during this period in his life. Esther was the forbidden fruit that Garbiel had dared to "taste" and payed for it. It was as if his faith was tested by the Lord to see if he truly was a man of the Lord or just feared the Lord because he doesnt want to end up in Hell.
DeleteGabriel is both attracted and repelled by Ester's proud and unapologetic ways because he wants her but at the same time, he sees the sin in her. Despite everything that he sees wrong with her and why he shouldn't want her, it makes him want her more. In a way he sees himself in her, He changed his life around and became a man of God and he so much wanted her to do the same but she wouldn't. In a way I also believed that even though he hated her for her sinful ways, he envied her free spirit and her lack of fear for her soul.
ReplyDeleteOn many levels his disgust for Esther stems from his feelings for his own self. He is attracted to her so her hates her for her seductive ways. He gave up his life of sin so he is upset that she is still choosing to lead this unholy life. She also had his son which his wife Deborah could never give hime because she was barren. He hated her for what she brought out in him which was the sin.
I totally agree with your post. I also agree that Esther's proud and unapologetic ways attract Gabriel. All of Esther's bad qualities make Gabriel want her even more. He wanted Esther to follow after him and get saved but she wanted to live her life. I also agree with the fact that he sees his old self in her. If only Esther conformed to his ways everything probably would have worked out different.
DeleteGabriel is attracted and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because he was attracted to her and wanted her for himself. However, he had to realize that he was married to Deborah and would be committing adultery. Esther was from a family a sinful family, who only appeared in church on Easter and Christmas.(113)His strong attraction towards Esther is mentioned when he says "the voice to which he listened in his mind, and the face he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Esther. The frustration he had with Esther was because he saw that she would never get rid of her sinful ways. He was anxious, nervous, and somewhat excited when she came to his sermon. His sermon was directed specifically towards her in the hope that she would find Christ and that she would want to get rid of her sinful ways. She was still focused on many other things than finding Christ. I believe he began to like her in a way differently than how he liked his wife Deborah. I don't think he was in love with Deborah and was now infatuated with Esther. He didn't like the idea that she was a sinner yet he still had an affair with her at least nine times. Gabriel can relate to her because he was once in the same position that she was as a sinner before he found Christ. He enjoys having conversations with Esther and he begins to share stories about himself with her. This is ironic because he isn't talking to his wife, but would rather talk to another woman. It shows that Gabriel isn't fully dedicated to his marriage and finds in Esther other things that he needs for himself.
ReplyDeleteThis is very similar to my post, and I agree in many ways. Gabriel tries to get Esther to give her life to Jesus, because it would eventually make her his perfect woman. The fact that her reputation is already made up for her, because of her sinful family, makes it look bad on his part, on top of him liking her and committing adultery. I think that he is trying to come up with any way for her to look good in front of the church, so it will not look so bad if he gets caught for his sin. However, instead of just coming clean about it in the beginning, he tries to hide everything about the situation, which ruins everything because she never openly accepts Christ in her life. He feels that he cannot get caught with because he sinned with a sinner. But he has already sinned, so none of that even matters.
DeleteGabriel has many relationships with different women in his life. One notable one was between him and Esther. He is immediately attracted to Esther's physical appearance. He feels like a "ghost of joy and desire" when he sees her, and she looks at him with mockery and affection (Baldwin 113). They connected very well because Esther and Gabriel are quite alike. Gabriel says he wanted to weep for her for all the sins she had done (122). He says he doesn't want her to wake up one day and feel sorry for all the sins she had committed all by her lonesome (123). This is how he feels about himself and how he sees himself. He sees his image in Esther. He feels shame of himself for pointing out Esther's flaws, because they are sinful like his (123). Through Esther, I learned that Gabriel is more mature. Esther is still much like a child. She considers her life as simple and Gabriel's as complicated (125). She looks at him with "defiance of a threatened child" when she argues back (119). I also learned that Gabriel is irresponsible. They had an intimate relationship for nine days. Even after finding out that they have a child together, the two refuse to be with one another (131). Gabriel refuses to believe that Esther who is "no better than a harlot" is with his child (127). Near the end of their relationship, they shift the burden back and forth. Esther says Gabriel "ruined" her and Gabriel says she seduced him (130). Perhaps it's because they see themselves in each other; that's why they can't stand to be together. It wasn't real love in the beginning, but maybe more of pity love (113).
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted and disgusted by Ester’s ways because she reminds him of his old ways before his conversion. Gabriel is dangerously attracted to Ester and her sinfulness. He is disgusted by Ester because she does not care about repentance nor does she care about God. Ester told Gabriel, “I done made up my mind to all I can while I can. If that’s a sin, well, I’ll go on down to Hell and pay for it …it ain’t your soul” (122). Gabriel despises Ester’s blatant disrespect towards the laws of God. Gabriel succumbs to his fatal attraction to Ester and has an affair with her nine times before telling her that he cannot do it anymore. This section of the book further proves how hypocritical and selfish Gabriel actually is. The affair reawakens the carnal within Reverend Gabriel. The book states, “Though he was holy he was yet young and the women who wanted him want him still (126). Gabriel is inconsiderate because he shouldn’t have married Deborah if he was not attracted to her in the first place. He should have told her that that he hated her and was bored with her and the affair probably would not have happened. When Ester reveals to Gabriel that she is pregnant with his child, Gabriel abruptly dismisses her. He then questions whether the baby is his or not and refuses to marry her because he is married to Deborah Instantly, Ester realizes that she is by herself and Gabriel will not help her with the baby. On page 131 she says, “Ester’s just good enough to go out and have your bastard…” This section of the books shows the audience that Gabriel is a poor excuse for a man and the excuse that he is human does not make the situation any better because preachers are often looked up too and lead by example.
ReplyDeleteGabriel, he is a man who wants to bring excitement into his life only because he has realized how boring his wife (Deborah) really is and how their marriage has no real chemistry other than talking about Jesus Christ. He bring excitement into his life but by doing the wrong thing with a certain someone which is Esther. Also he loved Deborah but he truly was in love and lust for Esther; "The voice to which he listened to his mind, and the face that he watched either so much love and care, belonged no to Deborah, but to Esther." (Baldwin 115) When it comes down to Gabriel's exciting but yet sinful relationship with Esther, its more so of a lust, love, and hate relationship because he loves Esther for who she is but then once he found out she was pregnant he wants to act like he hates her and say he never did anything with her. He wants to find some type of love in his wife all over again but yet then he questions himself why?, when he has a lady on the side who gives him what wants without any hesitation.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is at once attracted to and disgusted by Ester’s proud and unapologetic ways because he is attracted to her but wants to change her as well. He wants to make her holier and more presentable to church folks. He loves the fact that she is the opposite of Deborah, but it’s like she has little to no faith. This is a disadvantage for him because he is a reverend. I believe they are both alike in their sin and ungodliness. Gabriel was not always saved. He went through a period where he was shacking up with women, drinking and running from God. Essie is doing the same thing. I think Gabriel sees it and want to help bring her closer to God, but at the same time he is so attracted to her that he commits adultery. Through this we see that Gabriel is no as “Godly” as he claims to be. He is more like the pastors he had Sunday dinner with that he vowed never to be like them. Gabriel hasn’t been happy with any women so far. He claimed he hated Deborah, he thinks Elizabeth is a hypocrite (that she hasn’t repented for her sins) and he sleeps with Essie, gets her pregnant, and sends her away. Gabriel has issues he needs to work through.
ReplyDeleteGabriel at once was attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because it was sort of a way of expressing how he felt about her. He found himself attracted to her physically but knew it was wrong because he is a reverend. Therefore in his eyes or perspective, Esther was like what some would call a “harlot” and to him, she somewhat represented sin in his holy ways. From our previous readings it was evident that Gabriel is not too happy and satisfied in his marriage with Deborah. He no longer desired to be with Deborah, instead, his desires now we set upon Esther. But once Ester reviled her new about her being pregnant with his child, the tables took a major turn. Gabriel had to have felt disgust in what he had done because he knew it was not right and yet he still did it. Not only was it not right, but it would also tarnish his reputation in the church and he could not have that happen. So he did what any cowardly man would do he took the easy way out and accused her of having other relations and that he was not the father of the child, knowing more than likely that he was. So in the beginning he was very much attracted to Esther but it was more lust than love, and towards the end he found himself being disgusted by his actions and the consequences they led to.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is only disgusted by Esther, because he wants her. She is beautiful and basically has everything he wants in a woman, except she has not yet accepted Christ. Baldwin reveals that "something exploded in his heart when the door revealed her, smiling faintly with eyes downcast, moving directly to a seat in the back of the congregation" (114). He has been having an affair with her on the low, and now he is so excited that she is actually giving his offer of receiving Christ a chance. However, the ironic thing is, he is sinning too. He is ignorant to the fact that he is sinning, because his image in the church is great. It is not until she gets pregnant that he realizes what he is doing and begins to become disgusted by her. Now, he must deny everything about the situation, because he is afraid of losing his good reputation at church. Everything about him is about his image, because he thinks his main focus Christianity, but he is starting to bring his personal life into it, which essentially is what will bring him down. In real life, if you tell one lie, then you must tell many more to cover that one small lie up. Instead of ignoring the fact that he will eventually get caught for committing adultery, he tries to hide the fact that it has already happened by blaming everything on her. However, she goes on to threaten him by saying she will tell everybody the truth if he does not help her with his soon son to be. Also, in all of this, he must keep it a secret from his own wife. One bad thing leads to another, which leads to another, and Gabriel must now find his way out of this situation. He has secretly failed his responsibilities of being a reverend, by getting caught up in worldly things such as these. He should just accept the fact that he has made a mistake and confess to everything, so that he can go on without any secrets or lies, and repent all his sins.
ReplyDeleteGabriel at once was attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because the very things that made him despise her, made him want her even more. Gabriel was at a point where he hated his wife. He wasn't attracted to her in the way that he was to Ester. Ester was bold, and almost felt a since of accomplishment by making a man of God stumble. Gabriel however, knew full well what he was doing, and if anyone, should have been the one to stop it. Gabriel hated the fact that Ester wasn't on the path of righteousness,and although he was trying to "help" her get there, he in a sense drove himself as well as her farther from it. That to me is partial cause for her rebellion. Why should she serve God when the very man appointed by God is sleeping with her? I think Gabriel sees himself in Ester in a sense that if you really step back and look, they're both sinners, and cowards. As a woman, she should have been able to see that her actions were wrong, and as a man of God he should be able to know what situations to place himself in, and what temptations to avoid.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted to Esther because he wants her, but he is disgusted by her proud and apologetic ways because he is a man of God, he understands that she is temptation and that she is no good for him but cannot resist his attraction to her. Gabriel thinks that Esther and he are very different, when in actuality they are very similar. Gabriel puts on this “mask” as if he is a preacher and that he is holy and innocent. Gabriel and Esther are not very alike but rather better compatible with each other than anyone else. We learn that Gabriel and Esther were in an affair with each other, and they sinned multiple times. A result from their affair is the pregnancy of Esther. Gabriel being a man of god and a preacher he realizes that his actions can ruin his reputation at the church, as a holy mam. Being that they are so much alike, Esther already knew that Gabriel was not a man of good faith, nevertheless less a man who can own up to his responsibilities. As soon as Esther announced her pregnancies to Gabriel he immediately accused her of having other relations, when ironically it was he who was stepping out on his wife! Gabriel denied the baby as his own and ended their affair. However Esther made it clear that her baby was no shame to her, it was he who she was a ashamed of. Even though Gabriel is a reverend, he is a man who had sinned and was continuing to sin. He succumbed to temptation, and backed out when the flames became too much to tame, he is a coward.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Jasmine in the fact that Ester is everything he secretly wants. She is so different and exotic and nothing like his wife Deborah who is a devoted christian herself. Gabriel is tempted by ester in the fact he is having sex with her and doing all the things he isn't suppose to do and enjoys it.
DeleteI think that Gabriel was once attracted to and disgusted by Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways because he knew he couldn’t be with her. When someone knows that they can’t have something, that’s when they really want it. Then again, he doesn’t want to be pulled in by her because she is “sinful.” He’s so attracted to her because she’s so confident. He expects his women to be submissive to him, just like how Elizabeth and Deborah are. His wife Deborah may be considered “boring” to him. She disgusts him because she tempted him into having an affair with her, which made him become a sinner. They are more alike than Gabriel would want to believe because they are both sinners. Although he is a reverend, he committed the same sin as Esther did. So what difference does is he from Esther? He is a coward that runs away from his problems. He caused Esther to become pregnant with his child, yet he does not have the guts to claim that kid because he doesn’t want to ruin his reputation in the community. He is supposed to be a man of responsibilities because if he can carry the church in his words, why can’t he take responsibilities of his actions? He is human and he will make mistakes. He isn’t perfect; therefore, he will sin like everyone else will. He tried to pull Esther away from her sinful life but as he tried to help her, she lured him in. She was like a test from God. Gabriel was either able to resist her and go to the right path, or follow Esther down the wrong road. He fell for her temptation, which tested his faith. We learn that Gabriel isn’t as holy as he appeared to be.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted to Ester because he is everything that Deborah isn't and he is attracted to the fact that they are similar in so many ways. Deborah and Gabriel's relationship wasn't the same like it was in the beginning and Ester was so exciting and new for Gabriel. When Deborah gets pregnant Gabriel doesn't take responsibility of his actions and blames it on Ester profession. Ester preaches how they are alike in so many ways because he isn't living the life he wants to live. In reality they are just alike with wanting exciting and thrill in their lives, but Gabriel being embarrassed by the factor she is a stripper and lives a sinful life he cant be whit her and it disgust him. Gabriel's a preacher so its completely against what he believes to be leading this life he is leading. We ultimately conclude that Gabriel is unhappy and is leading the life he doesn't want to live.
ReplyDeleteGreat response. I agree to a certain extent. I think you're absolutely right when you said that Gabriel wants to add more thrill and excitement to his life. One could attest to that by observing his marriage to Deborah. However, I do think that he is trying to live the life he wants live as a preacher. He worked hard for this life and he desires it in it's entirety. However, he just tempted by his old ways of sin because of the lack of excitement in his marriage.
DeleteIn this section of the novel readers are introduced to a new character named Ester. Ester is a brazen, outspoken, bold, fiery, rebellious, young women that is quite fearless ( well on the surface.) Ester possesses all the qualities that young women in the church at this time where not suppose to have. Gabriel is attracted to Ester yet disgusted by her because she is beautiful and bold letting nothing stop here from doing what she wants to do not even the fear of God. This is the complete opposite from what his wife is like causing him to hate her and be attracted to Ester. "Ester wore a blue hat, trimmed with many ribbons, and heavy wine red dress..Ester wore gold earrings in her pierced ears...And in that moment Gabriel saw as though for the first time how black and bony was this wife of his...and he hated her."(Pg.118) Through this quote we see both ladies are nothing alike. Ester is more flashy, beautiful, and out there while Deborah shies away and fades into the background. This is what draws Gabriel to Ester she is extremely different from what he knows and is used to. Both Ester and Gabriel are the same because the pair of them both have the same desire to sin and be "in the world". The only difference is that Ester is fearless in doing not worry of the consequences that she will have to face in the future. Through Gabriel's actions readers see that he has an extreme attraction to Ester. we see this through the affair Gabriel and Ester share. " It had lasted only nine days God gave him the power to tell her this thing could not be" .(Pg.127)
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because she represents the sinful taboos that he once experienced when he was younger. Gabriel is fascinated by the fact the she is engrossed in her own sin and yet she doesn't even think twice about it. She just wants to live a simple yet joyous life. This shows that Gabriel used to think just like Esther. Living life in the now rather than living for the future. He also believes that just as he was saved from his sinful nature, so can she. In actuality, he sees himself within her. Therefore, just as how badly he wanted to save himself, he wanted to save Esther as well. As a result, he grew many emotional and sexual feelings for her. "He wanted to weep. He wanted to reach out and hold her back from the destruction she so ardently pursued... At the same time there rose to his nostrils again her whisky-laden breath... And he began to feel like a man in a nightmare, who stands in the path of oncoming destruction..." (Baldwin 122). This quote displays the passion he has for her, the same passion that is absent in his marriage with Deborah. He shows some time of strange obsession of the idea of sin and the prevalence of it in people's life. Thus, leading to his own sinful nature when the opportunity arose when he and Esther was by themselves in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with this claim. We often forget that Preachers and others who hold authority are still human and feel the same emotions that everyone else feels. It is so much easier to frown upon someone who has authority once they do something we consider "wrong". The mindset is already implemented in us that those people should not make mistakes but live perfect lives. You did a great job in using a descriptive approach in making your point!
DeleteI definitely agree with everything in your post. This shows how despite the position someone has, they are humans. Everyone makes mistakes and temptation is especially hard to resist. I do think that he has some strange obsession with sin and with that being said it does lead him to engage in acts of sin himself.
DeleteI strongly agree with this. Gabriel shows both fascination and abhorrence when it comes to Esther's ways that she is oh so set in. Gabriel did use to think like Esther when he lived life in the now rather than living for the future. Your depiction of Gabriel was spot on, this is and excellent way of showing Gabriel's mixed feelings.
DeleteGabriel is both attracted to and disgusted with Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways in this section of the novel. Esther is living a sacred life and is not interested in changing it or turning her life over to God. Initially Gabriel wanted to help assist Esther in making the right decisions but once he realized that he was attracted to her in another manner, things changed. His ungodly/naturally human side is attracted to Esther physically first and for most. While the preacher in him is upset and disgusted at the notion that Esther encourages him to continue the affair he eventually has with her in disrespect of Deborah who was his wife. The two sides of Gabriel clash as he is placed in situations that he knew was ungodly but continued to pursue Esther anyhow. Gabriel saw a look in Esther’s eyes that he had “not seen for many a long day and night, a look that was never in Deborah’s eyes” (144). This proves that although he was married to Deborah he was not emotionally attracted to her or intimately attracted to her. This section reaches a climax when Esther learns that she is pregnant by Gabriel. Once she told Gabriel about the pregnancy, he began to question if he was the father and did not want to accept that he had committed adultery. I believe that Gabriel expected Esther to be ashamed because she was now impregnated by a married preacher. However Esther was not ashamed of this and continued to live her life. Daphanie Bibbs: Week 6
ReplyDeleteI believe that Gabriel sees Esther’s entire existence as a challenge. A preacher’s ultimate goal is to lead sinners to acknowledge God and accept Him into their hearts. Esther, a figure well known in town as the product of two sinful parents, immediately attracts Gabriel due to her disgusting condescension towards a Christian way of life. Gabriel desires to “fix” Esther; he wants her to “say No to Satan and give [her] life to the Lord” (Baldwin 118). Through his actions, the reader learns that Gabriel is just as carnal as the everyday scoundrel on the street. Gabriel envies Ester’s independence of mind. Gabriel has been led by God to complete most all of his life’s tasks, since his anointing, which does not allow any room for the freedom that an individual not loyal to God so freely engages. Unlike him, Esther does not have to stow away her personal desires to fulfill the careful instructions the Lord demands. For instance, Gabriel marries both of his wives on account of “the Lord [having] moved in his heart to lift [them] up,” though he does wish to pursue either of the marriages based on his subjective preferences (111). The realization of his sacrifices that had to be made in order to please the will of God is awakened in Gabriel’s initial interaction with Esther.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post has everything I was thinking. Everything you said I agree with I like how you worded it and included page numbers and quotes from the book to back up your thoughts. Good job.
DeleteAmanda Lloyd: Week 7
ReplyDeleteI believe that Gabriel is attracted to Esther because in a way that is exactly what he was before he was saved. As Esther called him, Gabriel was a “pretty boy” just as she was a beautiful young lady and before he was saved, Gabriel was known to stop by some woman’s home after coming back from being drunk just as Esther does with the many men that stop by to get her after work every night. What scares Gabriel is that she is so much like him, that subconsciously he wants her. The problem is that she is not a holy woman and he is married and for this reason is why he starts to “hate” Deborah. Gabriel starts to hate the unattractiveness of Deborah the moment he sees her in church. Gabriel’s attempt to bring Esther to church and save her from going down a path towards Hell is him trying to create the perfect woman for him which Deborah is not because of her lack of beauty. Deborah being on the path towards the Lord connects with Gabriel’s spiritual side while Esther’s beauty connects, simply, with everything else that makes Gabriel a man. Though the reason behind Gabriel’s disgust with Esther is that he sees part of himself in her because of the things he had done in the past…he cannot face seeing his own image in her-of how he acted not taking the Lord seriously.
interesting interpretation of the relationship between Gabriel and Esther. I really liked this post because it really presented the idea that Esther was some sort of demon or temptation sent to Gabriel and many other men purely by example. It was never actually stated but it really puts the thought in your mind
Delete"Deborah being on the path towards the Lord connects with Gabriel’s spiritual side while Esther’s beauty connects, simply, with everything else that makes Gabriel a man."
DeleteI agree, Gabriel's desire for Esther was born of pure lust. He didn't look on her with disdain, he was only disgusted with himself and the way he used to be. Esther was a reminder of the life he left and he hated that he was so easily fooled by temptation. Great Interpretation on your part!
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ReplyDeleteIn this section Baldwin illustrates Gabriel having two different feelings towards Esther. He has affectionate feelings towards her, while simultaneously expressing aversion towards her. When the narrator states, “He would have liked to ask her many things…to listen to her voice…,” the reader sees that Gabriel has a deep interest in Esther (114). She represents everything that his wife is not. He can talk to her and listen, but Gabriel and his wife never talk, as stated by the narrator. He even goes further to describe that Gabriel even hated his wife, and that he despised her looks (115). Therefore, Esther represented Gabriel’s escape from his wife. The quotation, “There was only Esther…who answered all his needs,” reveals the significance that she contributed to Gabriel’s life (124). However, he was also disgusted with Esther seeing that she was the thing that caused him to fall. To Gabriel, Esther represented a life of sin that he did not want to live. He cared more about living up to his religious standards, and being righteous in the eyes of others than the care of his possible child. He could not see himself leaving his wife and running away with Esther. He believe that she was a burden and a temptation sent by Satan to defeat him. This temptation was one that would haunt him for the rest of his life. This section heavily depicts Gabriel’s double sided feelings towards Esther.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Esther is an escape from his life with his wife because Esther is a more beautiful out spoken woman than his wife. Esther gives him the freedom that he desires, although he know it is wrong to converse with her.
DeleteGabriel is attracted to Esther's proud and unapologetic ways I think because he likes her ways but the same things he likes about her sinful ways disgusts him. He feels she should and needs to give her life to God. He says the only spirit to have is a Godly spirit. Gabriel and Esther are very much alike because they are both sinners. Gabriel initiated the intercourse that took place in the white folks house. They both been longing to be intimate. Gabriel may be a holy man on the outside but his thoughts and that one action with Esther showed that him and Esther are just the same. She is better though because she doesn't claim to be holy. Gabriel is what I learned in class, lukewarm, neither hot or cold, neither all the way good or all the way evil.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your response. Also, I like how you pointed out how Gabriel is in the middle of being holy and sinful. I think that Gabriel engaged in a sexual relationship with Esther is due to him not being able to have that type of relationship with Deborah.
DeleteGabriel is at once attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because he finds things in her that he doesn’t find in his wife, Deborah. Also, he is disgusted at her because she doesn’t attend church and doesn’t believe in the Lord. Both Gabriel and Esther are alike because they are both sinners. Gabriel feels as though Esther needs to believe and give her life to God. One way they are sinners are due to them having sex with each other. Gabriel caused the sexual relationship between him and Esther when they were about to leave the white folks house. Their sexual encounters went on for nine days. Another way they are alike is due to them creating a child out of wedlock. Gabriel appears to have the dreams of being a holy man, but in actuality he his sinful due to his actions. Also, Gabriel is scarred to admit that he is sinful and hides it by pretending to be a man of God. While Esther knows that she is not holy and doesn’t deny the fact that she is sinful.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement Gabriel portrays himself as someone who is not sinful, but ultimately he sins just like the next person. Although he initiated the affair Esther is just as wrong. The only difference is she admits that she is sinning instead of hiding it like Gabriel. Gabriel tries to cover up his sins to seem more holy instead of human.
DeleteI hadn't thought to compare Esther and Deborah, but from this point of view I can agree with your statement. I think that Gabriel wishes Deborah was a little more like Esther and was able to give him more, which he ultimately gets from Ester.I also think, in contradiction to your statement, that Gabriel is disgusted by Esther because she is someone he wishes he could be. I think that at the end of the day Gabriel wants to be able to do as he pleases just like Esther, and the fact that she can withstand the influences he couldn't, disgusts him.
DeleteI believe that Gabriel is attracted to Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because he too wants to be like that. He saw her as a "harlet" and a demon sent to tempt him. This means that he desired this free life and in reality did not want to repent for his ways. Also Esther is almost opposite to Gabriel's wife who was teaching how to repent for his sins so Gabriel saw freedom in Esther and saw Esther as an outlet to his old life.
ReplyDeleteIn this section I think that Gabriel is attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and apologetic ways because he wants her. But he knows that she isn't any good for him. He is attracted to her by her physical attributed because she has the desirable attributes that his wife lacks. Esther knows this and he also knows that she is no good for him. She is just a temptation and he is “goldly” , those two things do not exist. In Gabriel's eyes Esther will never become ready to accept god into her sinful life. Gabriel see's his old self in her , which is why he wants her to discontinue her sinful life. When Esther learns that she is pregnant by Gabriel, he begins to question whether or not he is the father. He expected her to be ashamed but she was not and continued to live her life.Gabriel is too worried about what others think of him. The disgust he has towards Esther is really his thoughts about himself.This section shows that feelings he has towards Esther .
ReplyDeleteI think that Gabriel has a thing going on for Esther, he has a lust for her. He is at once attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because he has a desire for her that he know that he shouldn't be having and the sin that she does he actually likes. They are alike because they are sinners due to the fact that they were having an "affair" if that's what you want to call it.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted to Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because she is the living depiction of what he truly envy's, but since he is a pastor he must live that of a holy man. He uses Esther as an escape from his current marital situation. Deborah has become undesirable to Gabriel, and he uses Esther to fulfill his needs in a sense. Gabriel, on the other hand, despises Esther because of the sinful nature she is surround by. Gabriel disapproves of the manner on which Esther thrives. But he is so mentally attached to this woman that he looks past her faults and invites her to church that very night. I think Esther and Gabriel are alike in more ways than they believe, but the themes are all underlying. Gabriel accuses Ester of being in modern culture what we would consider "fast", but in actuallity Gabriel, isn't any less of a sinner than she.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%! Ester is the mirror image of his deepest desires. I also thinks Gabriel has a weakness for attractive women until he see them fod who they really are instead of just their looks and first impressions.
DeleteIt seems that Gabriel is both attracted to and disgusted by Esther’s proud and apologetic ways because she and him are opposites. They are opposites who are attracted to each other. Gabriel is a reverend which automatically creates this image that he is seen as righteous and holy. Esther on the other hand is seen as a mistress. Because Gabriel is a reverend, he has standards that he is held accountable for. The entire congregation and church looks up to him and expects the best from him. Esther represents the temptation that Gabriel continues to engage in. Gabriel knew that he was not supposed to have an affair with her, but he couldn’t resist it. The fact that they couldn’t resist each other shows how both of them were overcome by temptation. Gabriel and Esther are similar because they both cannot resist temptation. Giving the predicament Gabriel was in, it made it all the more easy to have an affair with Esther because he was not in love with his wife Deborah. Gabriel’s interaction with Esther shows how he is weak in a way when it comes to temptation like any other person despite him being a reverend.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. I like that you included the churches expectations of Gabriel and his struggle with temptation. It makes it easier to understand how similar he and Esther are and better connects them.
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ReplyDeleteIn this section of the novel, I feel we received greater insight into Gabriel. Gabriel is both attracted to and disgusted by Ester's ways because, in truth, it is what Gabriel wish he could be and at the same time wishes he could escape from. Ester is what Gabriel was and also what he still wishes he could be no matter how he tries to deny it. Ester says to Gabriel, "Reverend, look like to me you'd get tired, all the time beating on poor little Ester, trying to make Esther something she ain't. I just don't feel it here," referring to her heart (Baldwin 122). After, the text states that Gabriel wanted to weep, and I believe that he wanted to weep because she said what he felt all along. What she said made Gabriel realize that he was lying to himself and from this, I believe that Gabriel is not really as saved as he claims to be. I believe that Gabriel is just putting up a front for others to see and pretending to be something he is not. It is true that everyone has their weak moments even the "saved," but it is the way that you handle the situations that, I believe, classifies you as saved or holy. I think that if he had given into temptation and gotten Ester pregnant that he should have taken responsibility for his actions and not send her away in shame.
ReplyDeleteI think that Gabriel is enthralled and appalled by Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways because they are so similar, but so different. Gabriel is attracted to her because of her physical beauty which like many say is only skin deep. Gabriel seems to find the attributes that are lacking in his wife in Esther, but he is disgusted that she doesn’t attend church regularly and doesn't believe in the Lord. He says that the only spirit is a Godly spirit, but his spirit isn't so holy or Godly because Gabriel, reverend is a sinner. He is a sinner who initiated the sexual act in the white folks home. Unlike Gabriel, Esther doesn't try to hide or act different than who she is. She calls herself a sinful woman and along as she is happy she'll pay for her sins in hell. On the hand Gabriel tries to act halfway(lukewarm) to where he wants to be the holy and respectable reverend, but he has a sinful side hidden in his back pocket.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is at once attracted to and disgusted by Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways because he sees Esther enjoying all the worldly pleasures that he has given up (112). He is attracted to her by his natural curiosity for things that confound him: he doesn’t understand why Esther does not want to lead a righteous life, even though he hates the life he leads. He loves the pride he can openly express as a reverend, but is angered that he cannot bring the subject of his unrighteous infatuation to know and love Christ as he does.
ReplyDeleteEsther and Gabriel are very alike in their unwillingness to change who they are/ who they’ve become. Esther did not perceive her actions as shameful, I assume because none of those men were married. Ironically, before they committed their sinful act. She says, “I ain’t done nothing that I’m ashamed of, and I hope I don’t do nothing I’m ashamed of, ever” (123), only to be ashamed when she ends up pregnant. Although Gabriel struggles with his desires, it took him nine days to feel ashamed of his actions (124). We learn that Gabriel, just like Esther, knows right from wrong, but chooses to do what he knows is the wrong.
Gabriel is at once attracted to and disgusted by Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways because in a way she is somewhat like him. They both yearn for something that they know they shouldn’t have. Gabriel and Esther know that the affair is wrong, but refuse to stop. He is attracted to Esther although he realizes she should appear as a turn off. Her temptation pulls him in even though the consequences have appeared in his mind over and over. He realizes that it could destroy his image, but continues to do it. Instead of confessing to his sins and being human he hides this sin to portray himself as holier than though. Gabriel feels as though Esther needs to get right with God and it disgusts him that she isn’t.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. Gabriel is well aware of the fact that what he and Esther is doing is wrong, but instead of doing the right or christen like thing, he his letting temptation over power him.
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ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted to Esther's proud and unapologetic ways at first because her ways are different from his wife, Deborah’s ways which are holy and sanctified. Gabriel starts to see with Esther that he is a natural man. Esther notices this too when she says to Gabriel "That weren't no reverend looking at me them mornings in the yard. You looked at me like a man what hadn’t never heard of the Holy Ghost." (p.123). Even though Gabriel seems angered by Esther's lack of morals, he is also more attracted to her for those reasons. After Esther tells Gabriel about her pregnancy though, Gabriel becomes disgusted with her proud and unapologetic ways because he is in disbelief that he is having a baby with a sinful woman. Gabriel gets so disgusted with Esther that he advices her to just run off somewhere with the baby and pays for Esther to move away to Chicago.
Gabriel and Esther are just alike because sin easily corrupts the both of them. Gabriel wants to seem as if he is a holy man, but when Esther comes into the picture, readers see he "...acts like a natural man" (p.127).
Gabriel was attracted and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because she was the total opposite of his wife Deborah. Esther was considered a "sinner" because she went out with many men while Deborah was "holy." Esther and Gabriel are more alike than Gabriel would want to believe because he "made her cheap" by wanting her to be closer to God and then he goes and makes a sin by having a sexual relationship with her while married to Deborah (132). Gabriel and Esther are alike because Gabriel somewhat sees himself in Esther. He notices the sins he has made when Esther mentions "you don't want nobody to see you getting your holy self all dirtied up with Esther" because Esther knows she is not a holy woman and then Gabriel notices that he is at fault and is a sinner as he sits there quietly (131). In the end, both Gabriel and Esther notice that each one of them turned out not to have a good relationship with the church and God as they are unprepared for their future family.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted to and disgusted by Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways because he finds himself attracted to her. He likes these attributes of Esther but he is married to Deborah, who he wishes would be more like Esther. Gabriel and his wife don’t have strong communication in their relationship. Deborah tries to remain silent out of respect for his preparing for his sermons but Gabriel just longs for he to talk to him. This leads him to imagine himself having discussions and admiring Esther…”The voice to which he listened in his mind, and face he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Esther" (Baldwin 115). Esther and Gabriel are more alike than he wants to believe because they are connected by sin. Just as Esther is a sinner he is as well. Connections with sin in this book are very strong because it holds all sins equal. We learn in this section that Gabriel has cheated on his wife with Esther and she has had a child for him. This even further shows them to be alike in sin. As much as Gabriel tries to change her he cannot get through to her. I don’t think he will ever be able to effectively get through to her because he is no different from her.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted and disgusted by Ester’s proud and unapologetic ways because he is attracted to her, but also sees that it is so wrong. Gabriel is more attracted to Esther than he is with his wife Deborah because Esther has all the characteristics that Deborah does not have. Gabriel is allowing Esther to distract him from was should be his main focus, spreading God’s word to those who are willing to listen. Instead of doing so he is so wrapped up in trying to get Esther to realize she is sinning, while he is trying to justifying his actions that the devil is tempted him. Being a man of God, he should have been stronger than others who not as close to the lord.
ReplyDeleteThis was interesting section of the book that caught my attention because it demonstrates those "church folks" who judge others for being sinners, but they are sinners themselves. Gabriel is a prime example of those type of people. Gabriel once was attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because he is used to a life full of worries and holiness and Esther brings out the adventurous side of him. Esther is willing to do anything and not care what others have to say about her. Her ways of life brought temptation onto Gabriel. When he was in Esther's presence he could see beauty and all his worries disappeared. Although Esther was considered a "harlot" to their society and Gabriel was a child of God they were both similar in a way. They both posses the characteristic of the sinner Esther is seen to be. Gabriel had an affair with Esther which is against the Ten Commandments. Another sin he commited was having a child out of wedlock. Gabriel goes around preaching to others about obeying God, but he is going against his own word. Esther states, "And it ain't been so very long ago, right here in this very room, when looked to me like a life of sin was all you was ready for" (130). Gabriel's temptation lead him down the wrong path. A sinners path that he sayd that he is against. His actions speak otherwise. Through his interactions with Esther reveals that he is not the holy man he is portrayed to be. He is only a hypocrite.
ReplyDeleteAt this point in the novel Gabriel has come to terms with a side of him he doesn’t like. He is face with he consequences of sin. He is dealing with being ashamed to think he could commit adultery. He wants to believe Ester is not carrying his child. The disgust is simply that she provoked him to commit such sin, although he felt for he in ways he never felt for his wife. Ester had all the things Gabriel yearned for but could not partake in due to his Christian duties. They both want to do well and please people on the outside will pretend all on the inside. Gabriel is seen in this area to me as a weak individual who would allow such things to go on. I feel although what they did was wrong. Gabriel need to own up to his sins repenting before God’s while seeking forgiveness from his wife.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted to and disgusted by Esther because she was his ideal person which is the opposite of his wife Deborah. He liked Esther more because she was more like him as she was a sinner just like him instead of being holy person like Deborah.His wife was the silent type while Esther was kind of aggressive type which is why he liked her more over his wife. Gabriel decides to cheat on his wife with Esther and she gets pregnant. This shows their deep connection between each other as they are both sinners attracted to teach other. Gabriel might think he is a holy man, but in actuality he is just a natural man where you could find him in normal life because of all the things he has done to his wife and Esther.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted to Ether's proud and unapologetic ways because she reminds him of his past. She reminds him of the lust he experienced before and how good it felt. Maybe she also reminds him of the last woman he was with in sin before he fell against the tree and cried out to God for his mercy. Gabriel is disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because he is saved and knows better. He knows that her ways lead only to the path of sin. He know's she is trouble to him, to follow her and to fall. He doesn't want to go back in that time of his past life and he see's that is where she would definitely lead him. Gabriel is no different from Esther because he want's excitement and to live a sinful life as she does but he is a man of God and knows better than to go into that direction. He wants that life but he knows it is a sin to be luke warm. The story explained how they were in the kitchen and in Gabrielle's head all he could say was Jesus Jesus Jesus, this says he is aware that they are both in need of prayer right now which says to me they are no different.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Gabriel is attracted to and repelled by Esther's proud and apologetic ways because he wants her, but he knows she isn't any good for him. He sees something in her that sets her apart from his current wife. Esther is portrayed as a "harlot" and he is a Reverend. It’s ironic that he tries to convince people he is living this Godly life yet sleeping around while in a marriage. However, Esther represents temptation and he is portrayed to be the Holy individual. Although these two people are not supposed to be together its like they balance each other out. I would not say that they are alike but rather more compatible. If one were to analyze the previous section one would see that he and Deborah do not have the greatest relationship. This evident in the statement, "The voice to which he listened to in his mind, and the face that he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Esther." (Page 115) He did not love Deborah nor did he want to be with her any longer. It was even mentioned a few times that he hated her. He realized how "joyless" his marriage was and how "undesirable" Deborah had become to him. Through his interaction with Esther we learn how much of a coward Gabriel is. He wasn't thinking about the ultimate consequence of fornicating with Esther, not once but nine times. They were in the affair together, but as soon as she told him that she was pregnant he jumped ship. He began to accuse her of having other partners, and claimed that the baby was not his. She was all of a sudden in it by herself. She even left Gabriel speechless when she told him that she was more ashamed of having him as her baby's father than conceiving the baby. She said that she's not ashamed of it but she is ashamed of him. She also adds that "...it takes a holy man to make a girl a real whore." (p.132) Even though Gabriel is a reverend he is still a man, and ultimately, he is human. We are all going to sin no matter what occupation or walk of life we partake in. I feel like he knew what he was getting himself in, and with him being in a relationship where he really doesn't love his wife, it makes it that much easier. He was truly living that life in middle. He knew what was right but still did the wrong thing. He's a coward because he bailed on Esther. He was more worried about his image with the church.
ReplyDeleteThis is all so true. I couldn't agree with you more. Gabriel was really struggling with temptation and because he was still a human being he acted on instinct. He was really thinking about the right thing to do he was just thinking about doing something.
DeleteGabriel is at once attracted to and disgusted by Esther 's profound and unapologetic ways because Esther is extremely different from what his wife is. Esther's ways are wrong and he knows this so this disgusts him, but at the same time they are daring and admiring, which attracts him to her more than Deborah, the woman that he is in fact married to. His attraction and disgusts are much more alike than Gabriel would like to believe. The two are actually quite one in the same. He does not want this to true because this would represent sin but it is a fact. We learn that Gabriel is indeed attracted to Esther more than his own wife and this is revealed directly through Esther and Gabriel's many conversations shared in private.
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ReplyDeleteIt is not often Gabriel runs into a strong minded, proud woman. I believe that he was attracted to her fearless view on her life. "I done made up my mind to live all I can while I can. If that's a sin, well, I'll go on down to Hell and pay for it. But don't you fret, Reverend -- it ain't your soul," (122). He is so used to being surrounded by the same people who are weak minded for God. Ester is the first person he has met that wants to live life with no regrets. However this also angered him because she goes against his religious beliefs and that is ironically all he lives for. After his interactions with Ester, we see that he is still a man. He is far from the holy preacher that he played off fo be. In addition, he is selfish. He is only concerned about his image towards others.
I would say Gabriel is attracted to and disgusted by Esther because she wants to be with her because she knows that she isn’t good for him. He’s a reverend and Esther is a “harlot”. She would be considered to be temptation which is a sin and he is Holy. Those two things do not mix well together at all. We know that in his past relationship with Deborah it wasn’t actually the best. “The voice to which he listened to in his mind, and the face that he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Esther.” He didn’t love Deborah neither did he want to be with her anymore. He even mentioned a few times that he hated her. He realized how unhappy he was in his marriage and how much he wasn’t attracted to Deborah. Through his interactions with Esther we learn a lot about Gabriel. The main thing that we learn is that he is a coward. He didn’t think about the consequences of fornicating with Esther not once, but nine times. With them being in an affair Esther told Gabriel that she was pregnant and he immediately jumped ship. He then began to accuse her of having other partners and denied the baby being his child. Even though Gabriel is a reverend he’s still a human. It’s easy for anyone to submit to temptation because it’s our desires battling with our morals. I believe he knew what he was getting himself into and with him being in a marriage where he was extremely unhappy jus made the temptation that much easier. He showed himself to be a real coward when she bailed on Esther and he was more concerned with his relational affairs than with the church.
ReplyDeleteGabriel was very disgusted and attracted by Esther's unapologetic ways that she carried herself by. When Gabriel would see Esther at work, he would always see her dating different men all the time. Gabriel would always try to explain to he that she needs to get her life together and become closer to God, even though she wouldn't listen to him. while all the time Gabriel was doing this he never took the time out to realize that he was just like her. Even though Gabriel was a Godly man he was a sinner just like her, because he was having an affair with Esther while also being with his wife still. Through interactions that Gabriel have with Esther that we learn from him are that he does not like his wife, and also he hates her. after all this time we can tell that Gabriel is held to a higher standard than what he should really be held at.
ReplyDeleteGabriel met Esther when she came to work for the same white family who employed him. In Gabriel’s mind, Esther was associated with a flame, like the eternal fires of Hell. He was both attracted to her beauty and repelled by her behavior. Esther lived with her family, her mother and stepfather. They were considered sinful people because they drank, gambled, and listened to the blues and ragtime music. They only came to church on Christmas or Easter. Esther was also seen frequently in the company of different men. Esther’s life was Gabriel’s life before he became a preacher. Gabriel convinced himself that his interest in Esther was saving her soul and in bringing her the Word of God. He eventually gives into his attraction and refers to his behavior as his “fall” (124). Their affair continues for nine days before he ended it. Gabriel believed himself to be repentant and looked for a sign from God that he had been forgiven. It was when Esther later revealed her pregnancy that we learn more about Gabriel’s character and Esther’s hopes. Esther hoped that Gabriel would leave Deborah for her because Deborah could not have children. Her dismissal of Deborah gave the impression that she was cold and uncaring of the feelings of others. She also threatened to expose their affair but relented when she was forced to accept that Gabriel would never marry her and that he never had any intentions of leaving Deborah. Gabriel’s encounter with Esther reveals an ugly side of his character. His treatment of her is harsh and it is not how one would expect a man of God to treat someone. He believed Esther to be a harlot and questioned whether the child she carried was his. He did not want their affair to be exposed or his son’s mother to be a harlot so he paid her to leave town. He never publicly acknowledged Royal as his son. Gabriel believed himself to be repentant but to be truly repentant means to confess your sins, which he never did. He only told Deborah the truth after she saw his reaction to Royal’s death and after he realized she had known all along about Esther. Gabriel has yet to tell Elizabeth his past even though he knows all about her past and judges her for it because he does not believe she is truly repentant.
ReplyDeleteGabriel was at one time attracted to Esther because she was this women whom he thought he could save, but when he fornicated with her she became a she devil, or a beast and he didn't want anything to do with her. He though gabriel proclaims himself as being this holy figure in the church he is still a sinner no matter how holy he may think he is , and he can't run away from the snares of the devil.
ReplyDeleteI believe Gabriel is attracted to and disgusted at the same time by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because he sees her as the complete opposite of his wife Deborah. Esther is a very sinful woman and the opposite of what Gabriel believes in. Gabriel dislikes this about Esther and in some terms disgusted by her. He understands that Esther will never be accepting of God in her life. Despite this fact however, Gabriel is attracted to Esther and what she is. He is attracted to her uncaring behavior. Compared to Deborah, Esther is Gabriel’s temptations to sin. I believe their interaction is truly important, because it helps readers see Gabriel in a different light. Gabriel’s interaction with Esther show readers his flaws a human and that he is also human as he is given temptations
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Because Gabriel is a reverend does not mean he wont come across temptation. Esther is the prime example of his temptation because he loves her and wants to be with her.
ReplyDeleteThey are alike because Esther and her family are sinners and Gabriel once was a sinner who overcame the temptations or Satan. Gabriel was once Esther. Esther does not have the time to go to church or is not reached by the spirit as everyone else was (139). This reminds me of the description of Gabriel in his youth. Offence was taken because " she was so brazen in her sins" (140). In the masters kitchen, Gabriel is trying to make sense to Esther but nothing is getting through to her. He then becomes furious of her constant sin. He was disgusted by the smell of whisking on her breath which reminded him of his past. He although was attracted to her because he wanted him unlike Deborah wanted him. Gabriel seems to be trying to fix Esther's ways but also gives into her sin. He becomes no better than Esther. If he is such a holy man then he should have never thought of doing what he did. Their sin together is most definitely their child together. That makes them the same in a way and Gabriel is furious about his interactions with a sinful woman. She catered to his manly needs and Ester represented Gabriel's sin.
ReplyDeleteI feel that because Ester differs from Deborah,Gabriel is attracted and disgusted by Esther’s proud and unapologetic ways. She isn's anything like Deborah. Though Gabriel likes this about her, he wants to help her, save her from sin. Ester has a sinful past and he is determined to change that part of her. Just as Gabriel found the lord after leading a sinful life, Ester is doing the same. These two are very much alike. He sees a lot of himself in her. Because he is a preacher, Gabriel has an image to uphold.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that Gabriel sees himself in Esther with the things he used to do.
DeleteGabriel was so disgusted by Esther's ways because he wanted to be with her. Because they were complete opposites, he was also attracted to her. But he knew that as a pastor he had to try and fight the "temptation" Esther was giving him. But because he wasn't happy in his marriage, he give into the temptation and had an affair with Esther. He knew he was doing wrong as a pastor and a husband by having this affair with Esther. After, nine times of this constant fornication Esther became pregnant and Gabriel wanted nothing to do with Esther and accused her of having other partners. As a pastor, he is a hypocrite for looking down upon others who were not committed to their marriage, yet he goes and does the same thing to his wife. Gabriel and Esther and so much alike in such a different aspect because unlike Gabriel, Esther doesn't care what others think of her, Gabriel has to be completely pure to the public eye knowing that this wrongdoing is still deep in his heart.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is a preacher and he needs a woman that will make him look as if he is a good preacher.The lifestyle that Esther potrayed is one of a harlot and openly unholy. The thing is that Esther was a woman who was strong minded and would not change her mind. She showed in page 122 that if her sin would have put her in hell it was her soul and there was nothing he could do about it. As much as he lusted for her he knew he could not have her.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted and disgusted at once by Ester because she represents temptation and what he should not want as a reverend. Ester is the type of person Gabriel would have been involved with as a young man. He stopped his lustful ways for the Lord and still feels the sinful desires he decided to give up for the faith. She goes against the strict ways the church approaches sinners and redemption because she knows she is going to sin again and wants to wait for salvation until she is ready to truly repent. Initially, Gabriel was also planning to wait for redemption; however his mom constantly reminded him she wanted him to change his ways and become saved sooner rather than later. Gabriel subconsciously admires Ester's lifestyle, but he feels disgusted with himself for still wanting that lifestyle and disgusted with her for bringing his secret desires to light.
ReplyDeleteGabriel is attracted to and disgusted by Esther's proud and unapologetic ways because deep down he really wants to be with her but cannot because Esther is a "harlot" and he is a Reverend. He cannot be with her because she is representing temptation and he is holy man. He sees something in her that he doesn’t see in his wife Deborah, and thinks that he might be able to change her. In the novel it is made clear that Gabriel has a strong attraction toward Esther "The voice to which he listened in his mind, and face he watched with so much love and care, belonged not to Deborah, but to Esther" (115). Gabriel he displeased with Esther because she is not willing to let god enter her life and take her out of her sinful ways. He tries to force god upon her during one of his sermons which was directed toward her, a sinners. Her stubbornness prevents him from getting through to her. Even after that he is still falling for Esther because she is giving him something that his wife Deborah cannot. He eventually falls into his temptation. Gabriel enjoyed his conversation with Esther something that he could not do with his wife Deborah. This shows that he likes Esther better then Deborah. As Gabriel’s and Esther’s relationship continues she gets pregnant with his child. Soon they realize that they could no longer be together because Gabriel is unwilling to leave Deborah and marry Esther so he can take care of their child. Esther ends up black mailing Gabriel into giving her money or threatens him that she will tell everyone about their relationship.
ReplyDeleteEsther does not care what people think of her, and she has a free spirit. Many people that live in the town are church folks and that is something she doesn’t want to conform to. Gabriel is disgusted by her because she is so ungodly. “She offended him because she was so brazen in her sins,” (Baldwin 123). He is attracted to her because her actions are a resemblance of his younger self. They are both alike because they both want what they can’t have. This feeling leads the marital affair. Esther is a complete difference than Gabriel’s wife Deborah. He basically married Deborah because he felt sorry for her and he wanted to be a godly person. We as readers understand what he was trying to do, but he really did not help his situation because he was not physically attracted to Deborah. We learn that Gabriel is still weak in his own righteous heart “He had to but stretch out his hand and take what he wanted,” (Baldwin 128). This also teaches the audience that many people who are a part of the church can fall.
ReplyDeleteit is ironic how Gabriel assumes his is doing Deborah a favor by marrying her in the end he is just hurting her and himself. He hurts her through the affair, even though they never openly talk about it. and he hurts himself by getting a harlot pregnant and never being able to love his son, which he in the end really wanted. Gabriel's life is just full irony.
DeleteIt is kind of evident that Gabriel is lusting for Esther not only by her physical appearance, but also how strong-minded she is and her individuality. Gabriel also wants to help Esther from her sinful ways, but still at heart wants to live the lifestyle that she does.
ReplyDeleteIt represents both aspects of Gabriel. His lust and and disgust toward Esther shows Gabriel desires and wishes. Gabriel realize that aspect of his desires and is ashamed of it. He pushed himself away from that but still falls for it.
ReplyDeleteI think Gabriel wants Ester because she reminds him of the past life he use to enjoy so much before he became a reverend. On the other hand, because he is a reverend he is disgusted by her "harlot" ways. He is disgusted by the fact she has no repentance for her and actions and she fears no god. And as they say opposites attract, the holy man is attracted not to the holy woman, his wife Deborah, but to the sinner, Ester. Gabriel desires in no way that he desires Ester. Gabriel and Ester are alike because they enjoy the life of sinners, they enjoy temptation. Even though Gabriel appears to be holy him falling to the desire of Ester proves that he is just human. Through, Ester we learn Gabriel's unholy ways, how he stills from Deborah to send Ester away, to be a single mother. He is coward by hiding his mistake, instead of being a real father to his child. He treats Ester coldly and she sends her away as though he did not partake in the sinful action as well.
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