A Christian by John Galsworthy

Name: A Christian
Author: John Galsworthy

The novel revolves around the life of a young Christian, who is struggling to reconcile his faith with the harsh realities of the world. He becomes disillusioned with the hypocrisy and superficiality of the church and its members, leading him to question the true nature of Christianity. As he navigates this crisis of faith, he meets a woman who challenges his views and forces him to confront the contradictions between his ideals and the world around him. Through their interactions, he begins to see the flaws in his own thinking and the limitations of his understanding. Ultimately, the novel presents a nuanced exploration of the complexities of faith, morality, and human nature, raising questions about the role of Christianity in modern society and the individual's place within it.

By John Galsworthy · First published 1909 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Religious Fiction, Literary Fiction · 2,089 words

First lines

One day that summer, I came away from a luncheon in company of an old College chum. Always exciting to meet those one hasn't seen for years; and as we walked across the Park together I kept looking at him askance. He had altered a good deal. Lean he always was, but now very lean, and so upright that his parson's coat was overhung by the back of his long and narrow head, with its dark grizzled hair, which thought had not yet loosened on his forehead. His clean-shorn face, so thin and oblong, was remarkable only for the eyes: dark-browed and lashed, and coloured like bright steel, they had a fixity in them, a sort of absence, on one couldn't tell what business. They made me think of torture. And his mouth always gently smiling, as if its pinched curly sweetness had been commanded, was the mouth of a man crucified -- yes, crucified!

What this Textopian page supports

A Christian is listed on Textopian as an essay by John Galsworthy, dated 1909 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Essay
Author: John Galsworthy
Date: 1909 CE
Language: English
Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Religious Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary
Length: 2,089 words
Structure: 1 section, 60 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Genres

Philosophical Fiction — The text explores deep philosophical questions about the nature of Christian teachings, suffering, and morality.
Religious Fiction — The dialogue centers around Christian doctrine and the implications of its teachings on personal conduct and relationships.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is introspective and character-driven, focusing on complex themes and moral dilemmas.
Drama — The narrative involves intense conversations that reveal personal conflicts and emotional struggles.