Christian Morals In Housekeeping Essay

Marilynne Robinsons novel, Housekeeping, is full of vivid biblical allusions that artistically express Robinsons views on ethics. She explores the cleansing nature of water, the relationship between disagreeing sisters, and the loyalty between a mother and daughter. She makes intriguing connections between the characters that she has created and the characters that represent archetypes throughout history. Ruth from the bible is Ruth Stones namesake because of specific character traits they share, which become apparent as the story progresses. In Housekeeping, Robinson uses biblical allusions to convey what she believes are the essential qualities of a dedicated, moral Christian.

Both in Housekeeping and in the story of Noahs Ark, the floods symbolize washing away immorality. The inhabitants of Fingerbone are portrayed as hypocrites for claiming to be Christian, but acting unchristlike regarding transients. When the city floods, the houses and hutches and barns and sheds of Fingerbone were like so many spilled and foundered arks (61). The water represents cleansing, so whereas in the bible the sinners drown in the flood, in the novel they receive the worst of the water damage. Robinson compares the homes of the people in Fingerbone to foundered arks because she does not think the people of Fingerbone are good Christians; their homes are not able to withstand the flood, but Noahs ark was able to because he followed Gods wishes. Out of faith, Noah knocked his house apart and used the planks to build an ark, while his neighbors looked on, full of doubt (184). The criticism Noah received did not stop him from doing what he knew was right for himself. Similarly, Ruth and Sylvie continue to do what brings them happiness even though their peers judge them negatively. The comparison between the floods exposes the importance of being nonjudgmental and, according to Robinson, practicing the morals that Christianity teaches.

Robinson highlights the importance of keeping a family together by comparing the story of the first murder to the schism between Ruth and Lucille. When Cain killed Abel, and the blood cried out from the groundeven God took notice of it[for] its novelty that He found striking (192). Abels murder was especially shocking because Cain committed the ultimate betrayal by murdering a member of his own family. Robinson chose this story to relate the situation between Ruth and Lucille because she regards family cohesion as an important Christian value. When Lucille decides not to follow Ruth home, Lucille officially splits from Ruth, and this betrayal breaks up their family. The allegory continues when, Cain became his children and their children and theirs, through a thousand generations, and all of them transients (193). Cain is punished for his betrayal by alienation; God forces him to wander forever and become a transient. As with Ruth, transience is used to show disaffection due to broken families. By drawing a parallel between Lucille and Cains betrayals, Robinson expresses the degree of importance she vests in having a stable family.

The significance of mother-daughter relationships appears many times throughout Housekeeping. The blossoming bond between Ruth Stone and Sylvie is reminiscent of the bond between Ruth from the bible and Ruths mother-in-law, Naomi. In the bible, Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God (Ruth 1:16). Ruth shows her utmost loyalty to her mother figure Naomi, just as Ruth Stone remains allegiant to Sylvie. Robinson approves of these relationships because they are strong family bonds that provide stability, which is supported by her Christian values. Ruth proves that she is willing to trust Sylvie with her life when she crosses the train tracks and runs away with Sylvie at the end of the novel. Ruth shows her faith when she alludes to the story of Lots wife and says, I did not dare turn my head to see if the house was burning (212). Lots wife was turned to salt because she looked back at the corrupt city she was fleeing, even though God instructed her not to look back. Ruth, however, trusted Sylvie enough to follow her down the dark train tracks without looking back. As the novel progresses, Robinson exposes the deep connection between the females and the psychological importance of keeping a family together.

Housekeeping is packed with biblical allusions that Robinson strategically placed to advocate the morals that are in the bible. She believes that many people who call themselves Christians are unchristlike, and she uses the situations that Ruth faces to expose the hypocrisy of the people of Fingerbone. Robinson also explores the importance, in her opinion, of being nonjudgmental, having faith in God, and remaining loyal to ones family. The bible has had a tremendous impact on her literature in that she incorporates religious themes and ethics into her work, and hopes to reveal the way she believes a proper, moral Christian should act.