Essay Questions

How does the irony of rejection manifest itself in the “A Narrative of the Lord's Wonderful Dealings with John Marrant”?

The blood of Christ saves John Marrant and he chooses to walk on truth, and lead a sinless life. Before he accepted Christ as his savior, he lived without Christian virtues. However, after getting saved he decides to return home hoping that he is going to preach the holy gospel to his family and community. Ironically, he faces prosecution from his people starting from the mother, siblings, and the surrounding community. His Christian values are ridiculed because people at home are not used to staunch Christian behavior. People considered his behavior as crazy and pretense. The author says:

“Upon this, I went home, and finding them all hardened, or worse than before, and everybody saying I was crazy; but a little sister I had, about nine years of age, used to cry when she saw them persecute me, and continuing about five weeks and three days, I thought it was better for me to die than to live among such people.”

Illustrate two examples of how John Marrant uses imagery in his literary work.

Throughout his story, John Marrant has employed the use of imagery to appeal to the reader both the senses of hearing and sight. The imagery of sight depicts itself when he walks home across a school. As he walks, he hears dancing and music. The imagery of hearing is critical in his literary work because it helps the reader to get a glimpse of what is happening inside the school. The imagery of itself manifests itself as follows in the text:

“Sometimes after I had been in Charles-Town, as I was walking one day, I passed by a school, and heard music and dancing, which took my fancy very much, and I felt a strong inclination to learn the music.”

The other example is the imagery of sight, which becomes evident when he goes to play the piano for some men. The author says:

“One evening I was sent for in a very particular manner to go and play for some gentlemen, which I agreed to do, and was on my way to fulfill my promise; and passing by a large meeting house I saw many lights in it, and crowds of people going in.”

Briefly Explain this statement “PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD, O ISRAEL.” What is its significance in the story?

Israel refers to God’s chosen nation and is always reminded to walk in Godly ways. When such a statement is echoed, Satan gets scared and those who have not been saved can see a blackout as Satan tries to get an exit route from their lives. This is exactly what happens to John Marrant when he enters the church. As soon as he enters, the preacher echoes “PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD, O ISRAEL.” That statement is so powerful to an extent John Marrant is struck to the ground. This is what the author says:

“The Lord accompanied the word with such power, that I was struck to the ground and lay both speechless and senseless near half an hour.”

This statement is important in the story because it helps to build the title “A Narrative of the Lord's Wonderful Dealings with John Marrant”. After being saved, John Marrant discovers the Lord's Wonderful Dealings in his life. For instance, despite facing rejection from the people he loves, God gives him the consolation to move on.