Read book Mystic River by Dennis Lehane - Essay Example

In the case of the character of Dave, his ‘tanha’ had caused him to question and even deny God’s rule over the earth. This may be influenced by significant events of Dave’s past, namely the incident of when he is sexually molested which ultimately changes his childhood and his outlook and attitude towards the outside world. Moreover, those around him find him hard to understand, as it is difficult to comprehend him due to the ambiguity of his statements and expressions. This makes him seem like a conspicuous character, suggesting perhaps, that he is ill at ease and unsettled, lacking a sense of peace and direction.

There is an internal conflict within Dave, wherein he is struggling with his dark side that not only allures him with satanic temptations, but also forces him to treat others in the same way he had been treated in his life. Again, the theme of the power of the past contributing greatly to the characters is apparent with Jimmy. Jimmy’s attachment to the past causes him a lack of Apatheia. Despite his efforts to take control of his own life, he finds it difficult to accept the fact that there are certain circumstances for which he has no control over; that is, he cannot go back to the events of his past.

This may be exhibited in his question of guilt. These questions have made his wife wonder if is indeed feeling remorse or if his actions are merely an obligation due to his love and responsibility of his daughter. The fact that he himself is conflicted on whether or not he feels guilty further elaborates this. To him, guilt is merely temporary, it comes and goes in passing, but there is a disconnect with true emotions. As he continues to struggle with moving forward with his life, stark reminders of his past continue to plague him.

Because is unable to rescue the deeds of his past (his karmas), he remains in an altered form of Apatheia. According to Hindu mythology, a man must face his own karmas for the duration of his lifetime (Livingstone). His lack of Apatheia causes him to seek a life of innocence, which is impossible for him. This frustrates him and causes him to lead a life of suffering. Sean on the other hand, is a character who believes in Halakha, which is the idea of a perfect moral ethic. Halakha is a perfect ethical rule that may be able to lead mankind to peace.

Sean is a character who had lived a comfortable childhood and partially believes in laws and commandments which may result in a healthy solution. He is one who would have preferred religious ethics such as perfect theocracy to their religious insight. Although Sean’s profession prompts him to bring about law and order, issues in his personal life tempt him to opt to misuse law and order for his own gains. Theological reflection is not only seen in the characters, but in the setting as well.

However, the classical approach to religion is replaced by authors and philosophers that may be termed as ‘religious existentialist’. Jimmy’s struggles with his actions reflect the kind of punishment described by Dostoevsky in his view of Christianity. His view sees Christianity as closer to spiritualism such as with Hinduism, Islam, and other eastern religions (Dostoevsky, n.p.). In Hinduism, ‘karmas’ leads one to the punishment he must face. In the same way Jimmy’s actions leads him to the punishment he would eventually have to deal with.

Jimmy deals with a moral crisis when he reflects on how