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The Sacred Heart In The Seafarer

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The Sacred Heart, the Mirror between Character and Salvation V2(Reviewed) Introduction • The Sacred Heart is a religious symbol of great importance whose significance goes beyond the Catholic church. It has inspired art, literature, and religious devotion with its first indication appearing during the eleventh century. It continues to be an important symbol of faith and devotion that leads to salvation all around the world. In The Seafarer by Conor McPherson, the Sacred Heart is used as a symbol of desire for redemption and mercy, suggesting the possibility of achieving salvation for Sharky and the others through the appearance it takes on in the story and how it relates to the character development they sustain, by revealing their struggles …show more content…

The second appearance of the Sacred Heart. This time, unlike the first, the red light doesn’t flicker but stays unlit, this leads to the Sacred Heart taking on a greater symbolic significance throughout the following event. This could foreshadow an uncertain future, one filled with hardships which will test Sharky and the others to see if they are worthy of salvation. Staying true to the appearance and symbolism of the unlit light underneath the Sacred Heart, we reach a point in the story filled with torment, grief, and misery. Sharky having met with Mr. Lockhart learns of his past actions, and is rendered hopeless, confused and in sorrow. This causes him to break his newfound will of staying sober and he drinks to cope with the reality he doesn’t want to accept, this leads him to get into a fight with all the others. Sharky isn’t the only one suffering though, Ivan and Richard also struggle with their own personal problems. Whether it be Ivan’s marital problems involving his wife, the kids and alcohol, or old resentment held against Sharky from his brother Richard, who kept insulting him throughout the night. While all hope seems to be lost, the true symbolism of the unlit light underneath the Sacred Heart becomes very significant. The Sacred Heart is a symbol of faith, hope, and for many, a representation of the suffering Christ withstood during crucifixion to absolve us of all our sins. The tribulation Sharky and the others went through, can then be associated with the suffering Christ went through, and as his resurrection was an important event to bring salvation to mankind, it only seems more plausible that Sharky and the others through these trials have a chance to better themselves and achieve

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