At Play in the Fields of the Lord: Analysis of Major Characters
*At Play in the Fields of the Lord* explores the complex interplay between cultural identity, colonialism, and morality through its major characters. Meriwether Lewis Moon, a Cheyenne World War II veteran, embodies the struggle for purpose amidst alienation as he grapples with his Indigenous heritage while navigating the violent conflict in a fictional South American jungle. His transformation from a soldier of fortune to a protector of the Niaruna Indians highlights themes of loyalty and resistance against colonial forces. In contrast, Martin Quarrier, a Christian missionary, evolves from a dogmatic evangelist to a sympathetic ally of the Niaruna, reflecting the internal conflict between his faith and the reality of cultural destruction. The characters surrounding him, including the ruthless Commandante Guzmán and the misguided missionary leader Les Huben, illustrate the moral ambiguities and self-interests often present in colonial endeavors. The Niaruna characters, particularly the courageous Aeore and the wise chief Boronai, serve as representations of Indigenous resilience and the struggle against external threats. Through the varied perspectives of these characters, the narrative delves into the consequences of cultural imposition and the quest for redemption in a world fraught with ethical dilemmas.
At Play in the Fields of the Lord: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Peter Matthiessen
First published: 1965
Genre: Novel
Locale: Oriente State, a fictional province in South America
Plot: Adventure
Time: The early 1960's
Meriwether Lewis Moon, a Cheyenne veteran of World War II, now a soldier of fortune in quest of a significant purpose for his life equivalent to the spiritual relationship of his Indian ancestors with the natural world. Moon is an alienated rebel, driven by a combination of fierce pride and guilt about being an Indian. After fleeing the college to which he had been sent as a representative of his people, he wandered the world and now finds himself in a fictional South American country in the Amazon jungle. In need of gasoline for their airplane, he and his sidekick, Wolfie, agree to bomb a village of the local unchristianized Niaruna Indians, who are hindering the progress of cutting down the forest. Moon's affinity with the Indians is kindled during a reconnaissance flight, when an Indian defiantly shoots an arrow at his plane. Shortly thereafter, forsaking the ways of civilization, he joins the Niaruna to aid them in their battle against annihilation.
Martin Quarrier, a Christian missionary in his thirties, from the Dakotas. He is sent to aid in the “civilizing” of the Niaruna Indians. Martin's interest in anthropology, as well as in religion, makes him more sympathetic to the Indians than the other missionaries. After the death of his son, Martin becomes more interested in understanding and protecting the Indians than in converting them. He is a good, if clumsy, man whose religious beliefs are tempered by his experience. He abandons the mission, and his wife, in a futile, sacrificial attempt to save the Niaruna.
Commandante Rufino Guzmán (koh-mahn-DAHN-tay rew-FEE-noh gewz-MAHN), the prefect (principal local government authority), head of the military police, and main property owner of the province. An intelligent but coarse person, more interested in his own well-being than that of the people he governs, he is a dangerous man, ruthless in his exercise of power. Guzmán is eager to bomb the Niaruna to advance his career. Holding the passports of Moon and Wolfie, he demands that they help him destroy the Indians by bombing the village from their plane. He tolerates the Protestant missionaries because as they Christianize the Indians, they also “tame” them.
Hazel Quarrier, the ungainly, unhappy wife of Martin, an uncritical believer in her religion and in their purpose as evangelists. Psychologically ill-equipped to cope with the reality of the jungle environment, she suffers a mental breakdown after the death of their son and comes to see the jungle as the home of the devil.
Billy Quarrier, the nine-year-old son of Martin and Hazel. He adapts quickly to his new environment. His innocence, bravery, and boyish acceptance of his new world endear him to the local people. His death from blackwater fever triggers Martin's religious skepticism and Hazel's mental breakdown.
Leslie (Les) Huben, the leader of the Protestant missionaries. An athletic Christian, egotist, and coward at heart, he is able to present failure as if it were success and thereby acquires monetary support from the mission board at home. His primary interest seems to be his own fame. Toward this end, he is willing to sacrifice the Indians and anyone else. He offends Martin by speaking of Billy's death as a positive act of God.
Andy Huben, née Agnes Carr, the young, attractive wife of Les. She is capable of more compassion than any of the other characters. Both Martin and Moon are attracted to her. Her kiss with Moon is the means of transmitting influenza to the Niaruna.
Wolfie, Moon's companion mercenary. A wandering New York Jew, he is, like Moon, a strong, good fighter, but unlike Moon he is not in control of himself. He is extremely vulgar in action and speech, and ultimately his acts are self-defeating. Wolfie attacks the village for Guzmán even as Moon is trying to protect the Indians.
Father Xantes (ZAHN-tehs), the Catholic priest who precedes the Protestants in the attempt to convert the Indians to Christianity. A sophisticated, resilient man, confident with the history of the Catholic church behind him, he knows the Protestants are doomed to failure, and he has the patience to outlast them.
Aeore (ay-ee-OHR-ee), the most heroic of the Niaruna. He is defiant and intelligent enough to see through Moon's masquerade as a god. He is a natural leader. He shoots an arrow at Moon's plane, thereby unknowingly instigating Moon's commitment to the Niaruna.
Boronai (boh-ROHN-ay), the old chief of the Niaruna. He has the wisdom born of experience but is losing his ability to control his people in the face of white people's destruction of the natural world. When he dies of influenza, Moon and Aeore compete for control.
Pindi (PEEN-dee), a pretty, young Indian girl who is a wife of Boronai. Her husband gives her to Moon, and she bears the child of Aeore.
Uyuyu (ew-YEW-yew), or Yoyo, an Indian convert reared by Father Xantes as a Catholic. He went over to Huben when his materialistic prayers went unanswered. He has become an exploiter of his own people and is instrumental in the tragic conclusion of the conflict between the Indians and the whites.