Not Wanted On The Voyage By Timothy Findley

Zoie Collinson

Mrs. Gonder

ENG4U

May 11th, 2015

Do as I say, not as I do. A comparative essay.

Do as I say, not as I do. Religious hypocrisy can be described as: Using the values, virtues and beliefs of religion to motivate and manipulate others while degrading these things in one's behavior. Not Wanted On The Voyage by Timothy Findley is a mockery of the biblical myth Noahs Ark. It tells of a family who takes in Yaweh. Noah decides to show Yaweh a magic trick, little did he know that the magic trick would encourage the destruction of the world. After realizing Yaweh's plan, Noah encourages the decision and puts his family at risk. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner tells of the Bundren family and their journey to bury their dying mother to Jefferson, Mississippi. Both patriarchs hypocritically use religion to motivate those around them, while they're actions are often, if not always contrary to their words. Although both quest are accomplished, both patriarchs do this not through religious values, but rather often disregard fundamental rules of Christian behavior.

Both novels are set in patriarchal societies, which use religion as a tool to negatively manipulate, and ultimately causes the families to fail. Not Wanted on the Voyage follows Dr. Noyes, his choices,

Noah ruins Mrs. Noyes' trust by killing Lotte and Anse ruins his kids trust by getting remarried. Noah's choices to take action rather than committing to his words cost Noah his relationship with his wife and Emma. This is also illustrated when Noah becomes too involved with religion and chooses it over his family. When Anse gets to Jefferson and avoids his family it shows his selfishness overtakes him and he becomes overly self-involved, not realizing his actions are hurting his family. This shows Anse becomes involved with his religious duties of being a husband to his new wife instead and chooses this over his