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Chapter 10 - The Bible

from Part II - Literary Contexts: Sources, Influences, Allusions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 December 2019

Steven Frye
Affiliation:
California State University, Bakersfield
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Summary

Cormac McCarthy’s fiction and drama reveal his deep knowledge of and fascination with the Bible and how people interpret it. This knowledge appears in his use of Biblical diction, allusions, and typology. Given the Bible’s cultural weight in the West, McCarthy uses its language to elevate imagery or ideas to a kind of cosmic significance. Biblical allusions and typology allow McCarthy to draw various theological themes into his texts, contributing to his polyphonic style. The Bible also serves as an opportunity to explore the nature of interpretation and meaning for many of McCarthy’s characters. In The Orchard Keeper, Outer Dark, Suttree, and Blood Meridian, characters debate the proper way to interpret passages in the Bible, which reflects McCarthy’s broader interest in the way we interpret the world and the sacred. The Bible is an essential context to understanding McCarthy’s works in their fullness.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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  • The Bible
  • Edited by Steven Frye, California State University, Bakersfield
  • Book: Cormac McCarthy in Context
  • Online publication: 12 December 2019
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108772297.011
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  • The Bible
  • Edited by Steven Frye, California State University, Bakersfield
  • Book: Cormac McCarthy in Context
  • Online publication: 12 December 2019
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108772297.011
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The Bible
  • Edited by Steven Frye, California State University, Bakersfield
  • Book: Cormac McCarthy in Context
  • Online publication: 12 December 2019
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108772297.011
Available formats
×