Wheat That Springeth Green: Analysis of Major Characters
"Wheat That Springeth Green" explores the intricacies of priesthood through the lives of its major characters, centering on Joe Hackett, a Roman Catholic priest who grapples with his commitment to faith and personal desires. Joe is characterized by his unconventional approach to priesthood, marked by humorous intergenerational conflicts and a rejection of traditional fundraising methods. He engages in a journey of self-discovery, learning that the essence of being a good priest extends beyond ascetic practices to include genuine connections with people.
Supporting characters like Bill Schmidt, Joe’s first curate, illustrate the evolving dynamics within the clergy, as Bill matures under Joe's mentorship, reflecting the complexities of their priestly fellowship. Lefty Beeman, an older priest with a troubled history, becomes a confidant, sharing candid discussions about the priestly vocation. Meanwhile, other figures like Michael "Catfish" Toohey represent the institutional pressures Joe resists, highlighting the tensions between personal conviction and ecclesiastical expectations. The narrative weaves a rich tapestry of relationships and challenges that shape Joe's understanding of his role in the community, ultimately encapsulating the struggle between tradition and individual expression in the modern church.
Wheat That Springeth Green: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: J. F. Powers
First published: 1988
Genre: Novel
Locale: The American Midwest
Plot: Philosophical realism
Time: The 1940's to the 1980's
Joe Hackett, a Roman Catholic priest. Always at odds with the status quo, Joe has some sexual adventures in his teens but eventually opts for priesthood and celibacy. In his seminary days, Joe practices severe asceticism, including wearing a hair shirt; he also attempts contemplative prayer. At his first Mass, he fights the pastor's custom of taking up a special collection. After assignments as curate at Holy Faith and assistant director at Catholic Charities, Joe is made pastor of St. Francis and Clare Church in Inglenook. He does away with the envelope system of church contributions while building a convent, school, and rectory. He never talks about money from the pulpit. Joe's priestly friends are few, but he and his first curate, Bill Schmidt, form a bond in the midst of many humorous intergenerational conflicts. Joe learns that neither asceticism nor contemplation makes a good priest and that fidelity to Gospel principles, working with people, and completing mundane tasks such as typing—the unheroic life as a priest—is the cross. Joe has traits of a prophet, as well as good sense. Joe drinks heavily, eats well, and is an avid baseball fan. At the age of forty-four, many problems arise for Joe, including the diocese's assessment of a sum beyond Joe's financial assets. Miraculously, Joe receives a bequest from the priest with whom he had fought over funds at his first Mass. At the book's end, Joe is assigned to Holy Cross Parish.
Bill Schmidt, Joe's first curate, who arrives late wearing jeans and a t-shirt, driving an orange car and lacking typing skills. Bill's 1960's ideals and behaviors mirror Joe's after ordination, but Joe does not see that. In their relationship, Joe coaches compassionately and Bill matures. Joe faces himself more honestly and mellows. Bill's loyalty to Joe is clear when he joins Joe in their unsuccessful efforts to find a way to pay the parish assessment. With Bill, Joe finds priestly fellowship.
Lefty Beeman, a priest ten years older than Joe, known as a problem priest who is frequently reassigned. Over time, Lefty and Joe become good friends as they eat and drink through many conversations on the priestly life.
Cooney, Mooney, and Rooney, seminary classmates who are both attracted to and puzzled by Joe's ideas and behaviors. They represent the ordinary run of priests, and by their attitudes they portray what Joe refuses to be.
Michael “Catfish” Toohey, a Catholic school and seminary classmate and enemy of Joe. Toohey obeys all the rules and after ordination serves as the archbishop's spokesman. He uses his power in that position to cause problems for Joe.
Brad, the Inglenook Universe's columnist, whose favorite topic is the town's weather ball. Brad is a conservative and subtly criticizes Joe in his column for Joe's non-support of political causes, including a federal contract for the local defense plant and the Vietnam War. Brad and his wife, Barb, have a son who flees to Canada with Joe's blessing. Another son, Scott, fights in Vietnam. Brad loses his job at the local paper as the result of some controversial writing. He is hired to write his controversial column for the New Shopper,atabloid-style publication of Inglenook's discount supermarket, the Great Badger.
Mr. Barnes, a clerk in the liquor store that Joe patronizes weekly. After Mr. Barnes loses his job, he is hired by the Great Badger, and Joe switches his business to that store. Joe becomes a hero when he accidentally interferes with a robbery at the liquor store.
Father Felix, a monk who comes to St. Francis and Clare every weekend to say Mass. He wears a forest-green habit, dislikes sports, and is the antithesis to Joe's notions of what a monk/priest should be, because he eats heartily and prays little. Father Felix is a bridge between Bill and Joe.
Conklin, a seminary classmate and friend of Bill; he has given up the priesthood. His sexual and alcohol-related escapades get Bill in trouble. Joe intervenes, and Conklin takes his revenge by falsely reporting Joe and Lefty to Public Health for having a sexually transmitted disease. This causes Joe and Lefty to hide their problems from each other. They later realize that this violates their friendship.
Mr. McMaster, a professional fund-raiser hired by the archbishop to assist pastors. His suave manner fails to change Joe's decision not to solicit from the pulpit, and he comes to admire and respect Joe.