Biblical References in Haydn Middletons The Lie of the Land :: Middleton Lie of the Land Essays

Biblical References in Haydn Middleton's The Lie of the Land "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: his mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1: 18)." Throughout The Lie of the Land, Haydn Middleton creates "David's Story" through a series of biblical references. These references allow for the speculation of David Nennius as the son of God. This speculation comes about as a result of the rape of his mother by a stranger, the figure of God. Through the use of these references, Middleton allows the reader to see the obvious correlation between the conception and birth of David Nennius, and that of Jesus Christ. Mary is described as "bookish and dried-up," a virgin unscathed by the touch of another male (Middleton 71). Mary returns home one day to find an intruder. "She never worked out exactly how the intruder had got in. He took her arm from behind, quite gently (72)." Though the presence of an intruder, would certainly be enough to strike any woman with certain fear, Mary is seemingly unafraid, almost as if there is something about the presence of this man which comforts her in a way in which words could not express. Throughout his presence, Mary remains unafraid, "it was as if the hideous fact of his presence was shedding its own brilliant light (72)." The use of "brilliant light" suggests the presence of a divine being, almost as if a halo of light is surrounding him as that which surrounds God. Though the actual conception of Jesus did not occur on a physical level in the story set forth by the Bible, Middleton insists on displaying the creation of Jesus through the actual sexual acts of two people. This is interesting from the standpoint that the intruder, though depicted as a powerful and gentle being, is never seen through the eyes of Mary as particularly strong. She speaks of the "weakness" behind his smile; a weakness which overcomes any male when faced with the prospect of sexually satisfying a woman (74). God is, in a sense depicted as having the weaknesses of a normal, immortal male. Like any man, he too has yearned for what only a woman could give him. This becomes the weakness which is so apparent to Mary at the time of conception. Biblical References in Haydn Middleton's The Lie of the Land :: Middleton Lie of the Land Essays Biblical References in Haydn Middleton's The Lie of the Land "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: his mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1: 18)." Throughout The Lie of the Land, Haydn Middleton creates "David's Story" through a series of biblical references. These references allow for the speculation of David Nennius as the son of God. This speculation comes about as a result of the rape of his mother by a stranger, the figure of God. Through the use of these references, Middleton allows the reader to see the obvious correlation between the conception and birth of David Nennius, and that of Jesus Christ. Mary is described as "bookish and dried-up," a virgin unscathed by the touch of another male (Middleton 71). Mary returns home one day to find an intruder. "She never worked out exactly how the intruder had got in. He took her arm from behind, quite gently (72)." Though the presence of an intruder, would certainly be enough to strike any woman with certain fear, Mary is seemingly unafraid, almost as if there is something about the presence of this man which comforts her in a way in which words could not express. Throughout his presence, Mary remains unafraid, "it was as if the hideous fact of his presence was shedding its own brilliant light (72)." The use of "brilliant light" suggests the presence of a divine being, almost as if a halo of light is surrounding him as that which surrounds God. Though the actual conception of Jesus did not occur on a physical level in the story set forth by the Bible, Middleton insists on displaying the creation of Jesus through the actual sexual acts of two people. This is interesting from the standpoint that the intruder, though depicted as a powerful and gentle being, is never seen through the eyes of Mary as particularly strong. She speaks of the "weakness" behind his smile; a weakness which overcomes any male when faced with the prospect of sexually satisfying a woman (74). God is, in a sense depicted as having the weaknesses of a normal, immortal male. Like any man, he too has yearned for what only a woman could give him. This becomes the weakness which is so apparent to Mary at the time of conception.