Augustines Tribute to his Mother Monica - Essay Example

Augustine commented later in his life that, "to her merit, I think, I owe everything that is best in me. (Bonner, p.38) Monica has been raised in a Christian family with the traditional customs of the African Church. She was not, however, given a formal education. She was married to Patricius, who was not a Christian. And, as with her son, she prayed continually for her husband, and waited in silence, so that at "the end of his earthly existence" he converted to God. (Bourke, p.148) Monica's strict teachings about sin and faith inflicted a tormenting burden on her son rather than supplying inner peace.

His Confessions witnesses to the painful struggle of faith that such an education promoted. However, Augustine never mentions his mother in any negative way. The commitment and love of Monica is valued as the basis of Augustine's faith. The simple teaching and model of Christianity, given to him in his youth would last a lifetime. Nevertheless, Monica's direct influence on her son continued only until he was shaken as a result of his intellectual experience through books. (Brown, p.31) Monica is more than just a doting housewife; rather, she is a "handmaid of God" whose pious living, prayer, and visionary zeal bring Augustine to a spiritual birth in his conversion.

Monica belonged to Numidian society where culture provides no status to women and they play only a submissive role despite all their positivity and diligence. They were vulnerable to men's violence in routine. It was surprising for other women that Monica didn't have any scars or other signs of her husband's violence on her face or body. She explained them that her husband was also very strict but for past many years she had adopted the policy of silence and quiet obedience and finally been able to strengthen bond of love with her children by being submissive to her husband and gradually succeeded to convert them according to her will (Hunter, p. 63-85). This conventional thought of marriage was then inherited by Augustine also and he believed the relation of husband and wife sort of master and slave which worsened women's status in the society.

He even justifies men for practicing violence over their wives. According to him the sole purpose of marriages was procreation. (Stark, p. 57-58) Monica Compared with Rebekah of GenesisRebekah is a godly character from Genesis, and possesses all the attributes of sacred women but if we analyze her character and compare it with that of Monica; we realize that she was not as submissive to her husband as Monica. She had lot of patience and was powerful enough to decide when to bow down before the husband's will and when to resist.

She believed that as a Godly woman it was her duty to realize weaknesses of her husband and must pray to god to overcome them in addition to her own efforts. She also seems to be bold enough to face her husband as she motivated her son Jacob to go against his father. Whereas, having no ifs and buts, Monica was evidently submissive to her