Such Is My Beloved: Analysis of Major Characters
"Such Is My Beloved" explores the complexities of human relationships and moral dilemmas through its major characters, primarily focusing on Father Stephen Dowling, a young priest grappling with his faith and social responsibilities. Father Dowling is depicted as a compassionate figure who seeks to assist two young prostitutes, Veronica (Ronnie) Olsen and Catherine "Midge" Bourassa, despite the disapproval of his wealthy parishioners and the church hierarchy. Ronnie is portrayed as resilient yet defiant, while Midge embodies fragility and vulnerability, particularly as her health deteriorates.
The influence of James Robison, a powerful parishioner, complicates Father Dowling's altruistic intentions. Robison's fear of scandal leads him to report Dowling’s involvement with the women to the bishop, illustrating the tension between social status and moral duty. The narrative also includes Charlie Stewart, Dowling's close friend who represents a secular approach to social justice, contrasting with Dowling’s religious perspective. Lou Wilenski, Ronnie's pimp, adds another layer of conflict, showcasing the challenges faced by women in the sex trade. The story culminates in Father Dowling's internal struggle, leading to his isolation and eventual confinement, as he tries to reconcile his love and duty towards the women with the church's rigid expectations. This work ultimately delves into themes of compassion, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of societal judgment.
Such Is My Beloved: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Morley Callaghan
First published: 1934
Genre: Novel
Locale: Toronto, Canada
Plot: Social
Time: The 1930's
Father Stephen Dowling, a large, handsome young priest, dark-haired and fresh faced, one year out of the seminary. He serves the Roman Catholic cathedral under the pastor, Father Anglin. Father Dowling is interested in social causes, and his fervent sermons frequently disturb the wealthier parishioners. Returning from a deathbed, Father Dowling is accosted by two young prostitutes who do not see the clerical collar under his coat. Initially ignoring them in anger and confusion, he decides to return and speak to them, ashamed of his lack of pity for their wretchedness. Motivated at first by a sense of duty to his parishioners, Father Dowling decides to help the two women, visiting them repeatedly and giving them whatever money he can spare or borrow, even the money he normally sends to help support his mother and brother. Although at rare moments he is tempted physically, his feelings for the women are dominated by a Christian love for the weak and unfortunate. Realizing that one of the women is sick, and that in spite of all that he can give them they continue to work as prostitutes, Father Dowling impulsively appeals to the richest and most powerful of his parishioners, James Robison, to find honest work for them. The meeting with Mr. Robison is a failure: The girls insult him and his wife. Mr. Robison feels compelled to report Father Dowling's involvement with the women to the bishop. Father Dowling continues to visit the women at the hotel where they live and work until, shortly after the meeting with Mr. Robison, the women are arrested and ordered to leave town. Father Dowling is called to see the bishop and told that he has behaved wrongly. He refuses to agree with the bishop that his love for the women is inappropriate, and while he awaits the bishop's discipline, he becomes increasingly withdrawn and depressed. He is unable to reconcile his strong love for the women—and his belief that it is his duty to save them—with the bishop's contention that he loved the women for themselves rather than for the sin from which he might save them. Confined to a sanatorium at the end of the novel, he prays that God will accept his illness as a sacrifice to save the souls of the two women.
Veronica (Ronnie) Olsen, a tall, fair woman who has become a prostitute after losing her job in a shop. She is stubborn and determined not to let life defeat her, eager to travel, and defiant when she feels attacked, as she does by Mrs. Robison. Ronnie cares for Midge, her partner, and especially for Lou, her pimp and occasional lover.
Catherine “Midge” Bourassa, who is smaller than Ronnie and more fragile, both physically and emotionally. She is a dark-haired French Canadian from a typical large Montreal family.Shehadlefthomewithamanwhopromisedtomarry her and has passed from man to man since. Her illness intensifies Father Dowling's desire to help the women by any means possible.
James Robison, the wealthiest and most influential parishioner to remain at the cathedral while other important families have moved to the suburbs. He is sympathetic to Father Dowling in spite of the priest's sermons attacking the bourgeois world for its lack of Christian values. Mr. Robison is generous in charitable giving but demands recognition for his gifts. After Father Dowling brings the prostitutes to his house, however, he feels threatened and, at the urging of his wife, complains to the bishop about Father Dowling, precipitating the arrest of the two women and Father Dowling's breakdown.
Charlie Stewart, a young medical student, Father Dowling's closest friend, the only person with whom Father Dowling feels completely relaxed. He is concerned with social justice and believes in reform through secular means. He and his fiancée, however, ask Father Dowling to marry them in the church. Father Dowling feels uneasy about lying to Charlie and his fiancée about the two women he has befriended. Charlie notices and is frightened by the change in Father Dowling after the women are forced to leave town.
Lou Wilenski, Ronnie's lover and pimp. Lou is a small man who looks and acts tough. He is jealous and suspicious of the girls' involvement with the priest and makes fun of him in his absence, but he is unable to prevent the women from seeing Father Dowling.
Father Jolly, another young priest at the cathedral. He has a room, with bookshelves, that Father Dowling had wanted. When Father Jolly leaves, he offers Father Dowling the room, but Father Dowling is too depressed by his failure with the women to care.
Bishop Foley, a shrewd politician who is more concerned with protecting the church against scandal than with the soul of a young priest or those of two prostitutes. He is presented as a good administrator but not a deeply religious person.