THEME: Brian Moore, Black Robe. New York: Plume, 1997. Author’s Note: “This novel is an attempt to show that each of these beliefs inspired in the other fear, hostility, and despair, which later would result in the destruction and abandonment of the Jesuit missions, and the conquest of the Huron people by the Iroquois, their deadly enemy.” (ix) ASSIGNMENT: In your opening paragraph, I want you first to address the question of methodology or method raised by this book. Is it legitimate/trustworthy/credible to use a novel to learn about American religious history? In particular, how does Black Robe help you to answer this question? I only expect you to spend your opening paragraph on this issue as your essay will primarily address Moore’s quote above. Consider Brian Moore’s quote from the Author’s Note above. Moore reveals that his intention is to show the fear, hostility, and despair that were inspired in both the Native Americans and the Jesuits by the religious and spiritual beliefs of the other. You will use Black Robe and Moore’s depiction of the two societies to develop a strong thesis that considers the similarities and differences of the Natives and the Blackrobes (including Daniel) and which describes how and more importantly why this fear, hostility, and despair was created from this encounter. Was this conflict between the two communities inevitable given their spiritual differences and does Moore, from your perspective, accurately capture the importance of religion and spirituality to this negative encounter between Christianity and Native Spirituality? To what extent does religion and spirituality play a decisive factor in the outcome? Are there signs of hope for a better future?
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