Clerics and the Elderly in the Contemporary Novel

Abstract

Providing a valuable basis for analysis of clerical attitudes toward aging and the aged are profiles in the contemporary novel. Ironically, many clerics in contempora fiction, lacking essential benefits of benignitas, simplicitas, hilaritas, do not represent Christianity positively in their attitudes toward their own aging and that of others. Clerics in eight novels published in the last two decades are examined-four American, three British, one Canadian- representing a wide ecumenical spectrum-Anglican, Episcopalian, Scotch Presbyterian, Methodist, Southern Evangelical, Southern Black-and ranging from pejorative to honorific In their respective reactions to aging.