Such Is My Beloved - Characters

Characters

Father Stephen Dowling Dowling is young, white faced, and enthusiastic. The white face symbolizes his innocence and his innocence mixed with his enthusiasm makes him quite naïve in serving in his parish, especially with visiting the prostitutes. “Father Dowling had preached a sermon on the inevitable separation between Christianity and the bourgeois world, and he spoke with a fierce warm conviction, standing in the pulpit and shaking his fist while his smooth black hair waved back from his wide white forehead and his cheeks were flushed from his glowing enthusiasm.” (p. 7) With his enthusiasm and conviction to serving God, he parallels with Jesus in that Jesus was also passionate with obeying and serving. He taught with conviction and passion no matter what the people thought. He rebuked the Pharisees in the temple when they allowed the money changers to sell goods in the house of God. Father Dowling sacrificed his sanity for the good will of the prostitutes, Midge and Ronnie, to help them to improve their life. Jesus was the prototype of this sacrifice in that he sacrificed his life to save his people. Both were willing to give up their lives to better the lives of their followers.

Ronnie Veronica 'Ronnie' Olsen is a tall, thin, fair haired lady. She is a prostitute and lives in a hotel room with Midge, another prostitute. “She ran to the gas stove at the end of the room, lit the gas, took the coffee pot down from the shelf and began to work busily like a contented housewife in her own kitchen.” (p. 34) Ronnie parallels with Martha in the bible. “Martha served Jesus when he visited. ‘But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.’” (Luke 10:40) Ronnie is more confident in what she believes and how she acts, and it takes a while for Dowling to make an impression on her.

Midge Catherine 'Midge' Bourassa is heavier set, shorter, smooth soft skin, dark brown eyes, and bunch of black hair at the nape of her neck. Also a prostitute, Midge lives with Ronnie behind the white door in the hotel. Midge is unlike Ronnie in that she is impressionable and welcomes Dowling. It is still quite hard for Dowling to convert her to his beliefs though, because she is influenced by Ronnie. Midge listens to Father Dowling like Mary did when Jesus visited them.

Mr. Robison Mr. Robison is a strong influential man in the church parish. He is big, handsome and white haired, with a florid face. Robison wears an opera coat with silk lining, a high silk hat, and carries a silver headed cane. He is like Judas Iscariot because he betrays Dowling, like Judas betrayed Jesus. “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.” (Matthew 27:3)

Mrs. Robison Robison’s wife, a hypocritical woman, condemns Dowling and his actions. She is disapproving of the girls and believes that they don’t deserve the church’s help.

The Bishop The Bishop is the leader in the church. He has huge, dark, solemn face, swift moving eyes, and double chin. The Bishop parallels with the leader Pontius Pilate in that they both condemn the innocent. Pontius Pilate allows for Jesus to be crucified. “But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” (Matthew 27:26) Jesus was innocent like Dowling and both were condemned.

Father Anglin Anglin is another priest in Dowling’s church. He parallels with the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He has a lack of faith and tries to cover it up by appearing good and holy by standing in Dowling’s way of doing good. The Pharisees and Sadducees were trying to appear holy by standing in Jesus’ way of doing good deeds and helping his people.

Charlie Stewart Stewart is a young friend of Dowling’s. He is a medical student and an atheist, but enjoys Dowling’s company. They often discussed aspects of society and social issues. Charlie is the first person Dowling approaches when asking for money to help Ronnie and Midge.

Lou Lou is Midge and Ronnie's pimp. He dislikes Father Dowling because he thinks he is taking his girls away from him. He was kicked out of his home and his relationship with his family is very strained. He is closer to Ronnie than Midge because they instantly clicked.