Some may ask if this book is preachy, yes it is, but that is its goal and it does succeed without ruining the story.  At times it feels pushed but most of the times the discussions that come up make sense in the circumstances, such as in a Theology on Tap meeting.  If one can learn how to accept a book that preaches it is an amazing read. While the book is both long, just over 500 pages, and spiritually deep, it is an interesting read that draws the reader in and doesn’t let them go until they finish. While Fatherless may have been hard for the younger generation to enjoy, Motherless is the book for the children of the 1980’s and early 1990’s. It approaches the issues that are being dealt with now, and we will have to deal with as we begin to marry and begin families.  I recommend this for all those 18 and over, and hope you add it to your Christmas list.

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Did Ivanhoe Marry the Right Woman?

This essay will hopefully address the question of whether Wilfred of Ivanhoe, the main character of Sir Walter Scott’s book, Ivanhoe, married the right woman. The two main characters that were women in the book were Rebecca, the kind healer daughter of the rich Jew, Isaac, and Rowena, the beautiful and caring princess of the Saxons living in England. Both women loved Ivanhoe, and at the end of the book, he does the seemingly inevitable and marries Rowena, binding his race together even more fully in England.

Now, in the book, Ivanhoe has been gone a long time fighting the Muslims in Palestine and the surrounding areas; his father, Cedric, is the caretaker of Rowena, so Ivanhoe knew Rowena when he was younger, and it is quite often hinted at and alluded to that Rowena and Ivanhoe were very much in love and cared for each other very deeply; this is evidenced by the fact that Rowena was eager to try and find out whether or not Ivanhoe was alright, and whether he would be returning soon. She seems to be a very caring and kind girl, who seems to truly want the best for Ivanhoe; their relationship in the book certainly is a wonderful example of the chivalrous love of knight and lady from the Middle Ages (something which this generation of people would do well to adopt, as there is so much unnecessary hurt in people’s relationships, especially due to a lack of true love, purity, and truly caring for each and wanting the best for them). Another example of how much Rowena cared about Ivanhoe was when the marauder De Bracy tried to make her his wife, and to stop her love for Ivanhoe, he tried to lie and tell her that Ivanhoe was dying. With this she breaks down at the very notion of Ivanhoe getting hurt or in trouble, which I think shows what kind of a wife she would be for him and to him. Rowena was also very religious and pure, the former being somewhat rare in this book, which has more than one rather unflattering portrayal of clergymen and quite a few instances of Catholics not caring about their faith and utterly disregarding it at some points as well.

Ivanhoe and Rowena are still very attached to each other even though they had not seen each other in years, this, I think, helps to show just how strong their bond was. When someone can still care as much about each other as they do for years and years without so much as a letter or a glimpse of each other, I think that speaks volumes about their chastity and commitment to each other’s lives.

It is also evident in the book at certain times that Ivanhoe truly loves and cares about Rowena, while injured and tended to by Rebecca, Ivanhoe learns of Rowena being held captive by the sinful De Bracy, and he tries to get up to save her even though he is grievously hurt and can barely stand. This makes it seem all the more apparent, at least to me, that Ivanhoe really cares about Rowena. When you are ready to risk your life for someone, especially if it is agonizing to even stand, let alone walk, I think that this shows the integrity of Ivanhoe’s character and the depth of the Christian love that he has for Rowena. At another point in the book, when Ivanhoe’s identity is still not known by anyone, he is taking part in the games and jousts held by King John to enhance his own personal standing with the commoners of England, Ivanhoe chooses Rowena to be the Queen of the Tournament, an award for the purest, most beautiful girl present at the time, which, in Ivanhoe’s eyes, she certainly is.

Later on in the book, Rowena is taken captive by the mercenary knight De Bracy, who is infatuated with her beauty. She refuses his efforts, even though he tries to tempt her with power and money, as seems to always be the case when men are rejected by women. Her love for Ivanhoe and her chastity and faith are far more important to her than the want of any sort of title or power, and she refuses De Bracy’s entreaties. Eventually, as I have already said, De Bracy tries to lie to tell her that Ivanhoe is already at death’s door and her love for him will no longer matter, and at this, as almost any girl would, she breaks down, which, interestingly enough, causes De Bracy’s conscience to have a pang of guilt, and he does not attempt to have her again, as his notions of honor are at least somewhat higher than the other less than heroic characters in the book.

Another good thing about the union of Ivanhoe and Lady Rowena is that it helps to bind their race, the Saxons, closer together, not, perhaps as close as the union of Rowena and Athelstane would have made them, but it certainly does help her race to have their Princess marry a powerful warrior who they can all look to for guidance against the Norman overlords. It would be rather hard for to truly comprehend the intense loathing that the Saxons had for many Normans, and Ivanhoe and Rowena, being on very friendly terms with King Richard the Lion Heart, would certainly be of great help to try and bridge the gap between Norman Lord and Saxon peasant.

One more very positive thing about Lady Rowena was her disregard for foolish dislikes and hatreds of her times. When Isaac the Jew and his daughter Rebecca were in danger from Norman Knights, she insisted that Cedric take them under his protection, whereas most people of her time would not have cared whatsoever if Isaac and his daughter had perished for no reason. This too, I think, is another excellent example of the goodness and purity of Rowena’s heart and character; she cares more for the life of people that were considered outcasts and witches (unfairly, of course) than virtually any other character in the book. To take a Jew under protection would not have been a popular policy at all in the Middle Ages, and to do so shows a strength that most characters in the book lack.

Rebecca the Jew was another certainly good character in the book, who also certainly loved and cared for Ivanhoe very deeply with a good and pure love. However, Ivanhoe and Rowena already cared for and each other deeply by the time that Ivanhoe met Rebecca while he was wounded. To leave Rowena after years together, since their childhood in fact, would not have been the right thing to do in almost any circumstance. To leave Rowena for another without a very good reason would have been extremely unlike the noble knight that Ivanhoe was, and also very out of character. In any event, he certainly made the right choice for his wife with this basis.

If Ivanhoe had not married Rowena, and instead married Rebecca the daughter of Isaac the Jew, then he would have lost all his credibility with the Saxons and especially with the Norman lords, and the bridge that Ivanhoe had made with Richard the Lion Heart would likely have fallen to pieces. For the good of their people, the union of Ivanhoe and Rowena was very important. If Ivanhoe had married Rebecca, both would have been outcast by their families, friends, and even their religions at the time. Rebecca even acknowledged to herself that it was not right in the eyes of God (in her view, at least) for her to feel for Ivanhoe, and that it was not to be. In their time, the marriage between Jew and Christian could very well have forfeited their lives. This was not right, but it was a sad fact of the times. Of course, Ivanhoe and Rebecca marrying each other is really a more hypothetical question, as it is not really evident that Ivanhoe felt anything more for her than as a woman in danger or a friend; it seems to me, at least, that he certainly cared much more for Rowena.

In conclusion, the relationship between Ivanhoe and Rowena was both beautiful and holy. If every couple on earth treated each as they did and cared for each other as they did, the world would be a far better place, especially for the children of the world. Ivanhoe and Rowena had the most classic relationship between holy knight and chaste lady that is the core of Middle Age romance, and it certainly is something that more people should strive for. Comparing Ivanhoe and Rowena’s relationship to one from most modern movies would be like comparing the Catholic faith to atheism; in other words, there is no comparison. Only true and pure love can result in a happy and holy marriage, and Ivanhoe and Rowena certainly had both.

I am in no way condoning violence in movies, but the above statement has reference to the rest of this post. My title in particular reflects the nature of this article, as I wish to extract particular elements of Christopher Nolan’s film, and expose the spiritual metaphors that are so tightly interwoven within the film’s narrative.

The Dark Knight of the Soul is a pun in reference to the Catholic term of “The Dark Night of the Soul.” Where a holy individual is put to the utmost test of perseverance, where the fine line between hope and despair is tread daringly. In context with this note, I will begin on my brief analysis.

The Dark Knight

Gotham’s ‘Dark Knight’ is none other than Batman. A caped vigilante working for justice by night within the streets of the city. He is called the “Dark Knight” for his war against crime, waged through an entourage of fear and cunning, going unnamed and unrewarded as the city’s hero. What is even more striking about this hero’s title, is the very spiritual nature it encompasses. The Dark Knight.

Being of the school of thought based upon Marian Chivalry and Franciscan Spirituality, being a dark knight isn’t so far fetched. While we prefer to go by the title of “Knights of Christ;” in very essence, we are ‘dark’ knights. (Outside of the stereotypical ‘dark is evil’).  We strive to do the right thing, practicing virtue in the utmost of circumstances, ensuring that Christ’s light shines through us. We ourselves do not take the glory of heroic virtue for ourselves, but attribute it to Christ.

In Nolan’s film, Batman’s character acts very similarly. He is put to the test by the wiles of the Joker. Our hero questions the very moral nature of heroism itself. When the world around you comes crashing down and cries out for you to hand in the towel, do you comply? Or do you continue to fight the good fight?

As Christians, and particularly Catholics in the world today, we see society screaming and shouting for us to hand in the towel. The age of Catholic virtue seems to be at an end. And the very people who you continue to practice charity towards, seem to want you to give up the path of heroic virtue. Persecution ensues, and one ultimately questions the very nature of being Christian. Should we give in to the social pressures of secularism, sin, and utter temptation? Or should we continue following in the footsteps of Christ, no matter what arrows and insults are flung at us with the utmost spite and contempt?

If we choose to follow after Christ; if we choose to fight the good fight, we become the dark knight. A symbol reflecting the true nature of Christ, setting example for others to follow. We must remember though, that being a dark knight has its burden. We are not in it for ourselves or the praise it can gain us. We must be selfless and commit to the ordeal, realizing that what we do, is for the sake of others. True heroism.

The Last Laugh

Of course, one cannot approach the topic of Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’ without touching upon the nature of Joker within the film.  Unlike previous adaptions of the character, he is sinister, cunning, sick, and ultimately diabolical; something which very easily reflects the nature of Satan within our own reality. To understand the underlying metaphor of the Joker, we have to realize that life simply isn’t about fighting the ‘big bad devil.’ Satan himself is at war with God, not with us. His true design and intentions are to destroy our dignity which reflects the image which we are made in. The image of God.

Taking this into consideration, the Joker’s ultimate battle is not to simply kill Batman, but to toy with him. Testing him. His traps and plans consist of forcing Gotham’s Dark Knight to make extreme moral decisions, which result in the life and death of certain characters of the story. (One of the major condemnations for why the film was so dark.) But this has a very powerful connection to the reality of our spiritual life.

Satan wants to force us to make difficult moral decisions. Temptation is one of those decisions, the choice between God’s will and our own sinful will. Though temptation does not always suffice, especially for the saintly individual. Satan puts man to the ultimate test by turning those who are closest to him, against him. In the essence of the film the Joker’s sinister plots work to turn the people of Gotham City against their very own hero. He formulates an elaborate threat, stating that for every day Batman doesn’t take off his mask and turn himself in for who is really is, people will die. As Batman repeatedly fails to bring the Joker to justice, and more and more people are suffering because of it, the inhabitants of the city cry for Batman to give up his role as the city’s hero and protector.

This brings him to the ultimate moral question. Does he continue in his fight against the Joker? Or should he comply with the pressure around him, and give up the good fight altogether? At what cost will heroism endure?

The charity of Christians is often more bitter than the persecution of the pagans. I find this to be an essential part of the Christian life, where hypocrisy settles in and causes upheaval among the Catholic community. Those who wish to pursue after God’s will and practice heroic virtue find themselves loathed and even despised by the community. The true test is perseverance. Will the true Christian, the ‘Dark Knight’ endure in his fight for good? Or will the pressure and persecution of those whom he is ‘fighting for’ bring him down and force him to turn in the towel?

God desires fidelity, and such a situation brings about what I referenced earlier. A dark night of the soul. We are torn between our basic need for human approval and companionship, as well as the desire to follow after God’s will. But what do we do? What do we allow to shape our actions? God’s will or society’s will? This is where we must make the ultimate stand, and become the ‘dark knight’ of the soul. We must persist in the battle for good, and never give up in our love for God and our desire to do the right thing. The path of the dark knight is fraught with loneliness and uncertainty. In reference to my MIM (Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix) class, it is a path “devoid of consolation.”

Persistence, charity, and the will to endure is what shapes us for who we are. The Last Laugh, in context, is Satan’s attempt to ensnare us from God’s grace. He attempts to bring us down to our lowest point and make us a weapon against our own fellow Christians. In essence, he drives us to the insanity of the final point.

The Two Faced Question

This is the ultimate point of moral question. It might not directly apply to the individual who is undergoing a ‘dark night’ within their soul, but it can have a very powerful and negative effect on those who look up to such an individual who does fall.

In Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight,’ the character of Gotham’s District Attorney, Harvey Dent, is driven to madness. He was once Gotham’s ‘White Knight,’ meaning the epitome of heroism in the public fashion. Standing for justice, freedom, and safety. Part of the Joker’s plan is to destroy the faith of Gotham City’s population in their leaders. He attacks both Harvey Dent and Batman on the same front. A moral question. The Joker kidnaps both Harvey Dent and his girlfriend Rachel Dawes, and hides them at opposite ends of the city. He rigs a bomb for both hide-outs, and presents Batman with the locations of both prisoners. Batman sets out to rescue Rachel, and the police to rescue Harvey. Upon arriving at the location, Batman finds out he’s been tricked. Harvey is located at Rachel’s address, and vice versa. With seconds to spare, Batman rescues Harvey, but the police are unable to get to Rachel.

Harvey is confronted with the fact that Batman could have saved Rachel rather than himself; and goes mad with hatred for Batman, deeming him responsible for her death. Batman, on the other hand, is faced with the guilt of being unable to save Rachel, and further questions his essence as the city’s hero.

While Batman still remains the hero, the Joker succeeds in his plot. He ruins the public’s vision of a hero they can relate to, the glorified district attorney. Now that Rachel is dead, Harvey goes on a vendetta to kill those responsible in her death. (Aka, the Mob Bosses who hired the Joker.) Thus thrusting Harvey Dent into crime and ultimately destroying his public name and identity. A scandal to the population.

Satan does the same in the spiritual realm. He plots against us, not simply to make us sin, but to ruin the example we give to those around us. He wishes to destroys the light in the lives of others, and give them incentive to despair and give up in their quest to follow God’s will.

This is what encompasses the life of a dark knight. Do you give in to the pressures of the crowd? Who demand that you give up the practice of virtue and the fight against Satan? Do you give in to the trials Satan throws at you? As he strives to make you snap and forsake the path of righteousness? Or do you endure. Take it. They’ll hate you for it, but that’s the point of being Catholic. You can be the outcast. You can make the choice that no one else can make. The right choice…