Sarah Mitchell
The question of what constitutes a Catholic novel or a Catholic novelist has been a topic of complex conversations within Catholic culture. One of the most prominent Catholic novelists is David Lodge, who wrote about Catholicism throughout his career. Lodge's work includes The British Museum is Falling Down and How Far Can You Go?, which explore the challenges faced by orthodox Catholics due to the prohibition of artificial contraception. Lodge's unique ability to write ironically without sarcasm allowed him to critique aspects of Catholicism without being perceived as unfair or mean-spirited. Lodge's work demonstrates that there are many ways of being a Catholic novelist, and that Catholic novelists do not necessarily have to be Catholic or write for Catholic audiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic novelists do not need to be Catholic | David Lodge, Mary McCarthy, Graham Greene, Muriel Spark, Evelyn Waugh |
| Catholic novelists do not need a Catholic audience | Greene, Endo, Lodge |
| Catholic novelists should not preach | |
| Catholic novelists should not evangelize | |
| Catholic novelists should not present theological propositions | |
| Catholic novelists should not present their work as propaganda | |
| Catholic novelists should not present their work as "some other mongrel thing" | |
| Catholic novelists should not write to enhance their popularity or make money | |
| Catholic novelists should not write to reform, teach or lead people to the Church | |
| Catholic novelists should not write to deliberately misuse their talent for a good purpose |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic novelists don't have to be Catholic
The concept of a "Catholic novelist" is a complex one that has sparked many conversations within Catholic culture. While some Catholic novelists, such as David Lodge, remain Catholic throughout their careers, it is not a requirement for a novelist to be Catholic to write about Catholic themes or explore Catholicism in their works.
Lodge, for example, wrote several "Catholic" novels, including "The British Museum is Falling Down" and "Souls and Bodies" (originally titled "How Far Can You Go?"), which deal with the relationship between Catholicism and sexuality. Lodge himself was brought up Catholic and described himself as an "agnostic Catholic", indicating a complex relationship with the faith. Similarly, writers like Greene, Endo, and Lodge treat Catholic questions in very different ways, and their works are appreciated by readers without religious commitments, who read them as human narratives.
The literary form of the novel, as it developed in England and France, was not well-suited to exploring religious drama. Instead, it focused on social or individual dimensions, presenting characters with ambitions, destinies, or griefs that readers could identify with. This "low-mimetic" approach, as described by Northrop Frye, often resulted in supernatural elements being incorporated into the genre of the gothic tale or ghost story.
Novels by Catholic novelists do not demand a Catholic audience. For example, Lodge's novel "How Far Can You Go?" looks at the fortunes of a group of middle-class English Catholics from the 1950s to the 1980s and covers the disturbances and transformations brought about by Vatican II. However, the novel provides no clue to the author's attitudes, and it could have been written by an ex-Catholic or a sympathetic outsider.
Ultimately, the Catholic novelist's primary obligation is to the truth of what can happen in life and to remain true to their nature as a novelist. They do not have to be saints or even Catholics themselves, but they must traffic in stories, not propositions. As Flannery O'Connor said, if a writer tries to slip a proposition by the reader, they are writing "some other mongrel thing" and failing the story constraint.
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Catholic novelists can write for non-Catholic audiences
The idea of a "Catholic novelist" is a complex one, and there are many ways of being a Catholic novelist. For instance, David Lodge, a self-described "agnostic Catholic", is considered one of Britain's finest Catholic writers, despite his beliefs being far from traditional orthodoxy.
Lodge's works, such as "The British Museum is Falling Down" and "Souls and Bodies", are considered Catholic novels, but they do not demand a Catholic audience. They are appreciated by readers without religious commitments, who read the books as human narratives. Lodge's works focus on the ironies and absurdities of married life and the universal difficulties faced by men and women in understanding, ordering, and satisfying their sexuality.
Similarly, the novels of Greene, Endo, and Lodge, which deal with Catholic questions, do not require a Catholic audience. These novels are widely appreciated as they present people with this-worldly ambitions, destinies, or griefs that readers can identify with. The literary form of the novel, as it developed in England and France, was not well-suited to exploring religious drama. Instead, it focused on the social or individual dimensions of characters, making it "low-mimetic", to use Northrop Frye's phrase.
The late Muriel Spark, a convert to Catholicism, agreed with the interviewer's suggestion that she always maintained a distinction between the deposit of faith and the accidents surrounding the everyday activity of the church. She stated, "I'm a Catholic and a novelist, but there is no such thing as a Catholic novel unless it's a piece of propaganda."
Ultimately, a Catholic novelist does not have to be a Catholic, nor do they have to write solely for Catholic audiences. By focusing on universal human experiences and storytelling, Catholic novelists can write for non-Catholic audiences and explore a range of themes that resonate with readers of all backgrounds.
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Catholic novelists can satirise the Church
The concept of a "Catholic novelist" has been a topic of complex conversation within Catholic culture. While some Catholic novelists may satirise the Church, their work does not necessarily have to be a piece of propaganda or evangelism. Instead, their writing can explore the human experience and the relationship between Catholicism and sexuality, culture, and individual lives.
David Lodge, a British Catholic novelist, is known for his satirical novels that critique and poke fun at various aspects of Catholic life and doctrine. Lodge's work often focuses on the difficulties faced by orthodox Catholics due to the prohibition of artificial contraception, as well as the transformations brought about by Vatican II. His novel "The British Museum is Falling Down" (1965) is a comedic exploration of the Church's teachings on marriage, sexuality, and procreation. Lodge's unique ability to write ironically without sarcasm allows him to critique aspects of Catholic doctrine and practice without being perceived as unfair or mean-spirited.
Lodge's work also reflects on the changes in his own beliefs over time, with his characters often struggling with certain teachings of the Church while remaining committed to its authority. In his "Campus Trilogy," Lodge satirises the highly politicised world of elite academia, creating hilariously self-important characters like Professor Morris Zapp.
Another Catholic novelist, Muriel Spark, also expressed her views on the role of religion in literature. She distinguished between the "deposit of faith" and the "accidents" that surround the everyday activity of the church, acknowledging that these vary geographically and culturally. She suggested that there is no such thing as a "Catholic novel" unless it is a piece of propaganda.
Ultimately, Catholic novelists have the freedom to explore a variety of themes and topics in their work, just like any other novelist. They are not constrained to write only about Catholicism or to evangelise through their writing. As one source notes, "the writer whose vocation is fiction sees his obligation as being to the truth of what can happen in life, and not to the reader—not to the reader's taste, not to the reader's happiness, not even to the reader's morals."
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Catholic novelists can be constrained by their faith
The concept of a "Catholic novelist" has been a topic of complex conversation within Catholic culture. While some Catholic novelists like David Lodge have produced works that satirise academic life, others have explored the intersections of Catholicism and sexuality, as well as the impact of Catholicism on individuals and society.
Lodge, a self-described "agnostic Catholic", exemplifies how a Catholic novelist can challenge and critique aspects of the Catholic faith. His works, including "The British Museum is Falling Down" and "Souls and Bodies" (originally titled "How Far Can You Go?"), address the challenges faced by orthodox Catholics due to the prohibition of artificial contraception. Lodge's characters often grapple with the teachings of the Church, even as they struggle with certain aspects of it.
However, being a Catholic novelist can present certain constraints. One challenge is the tension between writing as a novelist and remaining true to one's faith. Catholic novelists may feel restricted in their creative expression, particularly when exploring themes of sin and sinners. They must navigate the delicate balance between storytelling and preaching, ensuring that their works do not become vehicles for theological propositions.
Additionally, Catholic novelists may face the challenge of writing for a diverse audience. Their works are read by those with and without religious commitments, which can influence the reception and interpretation of their novels. This diversity may constrain the novelist's ability to fully explore certain Catholic themes or ideas without risking misunderstanding or offence.
Furthermore, the very nature of the novel as a literary form can pose constraints. The novel, as it developed in England and France, tends to focus on social or individual dimensions, presenting characters with relatable ambitions, destinies, or griefs. Incorporating supernatural events or religious drama can be challenging, as it may veer the narrative into the realm of gothic tales or ghost stories, potentially limiting the novelist's ability to explore certain Catholic themes in a contemporary context.
Despite these constraints, Catholic novelists have produced diverse and impactful works that resonate with readers of various backgrounds. They navigate the challenges of their faith and creative expression, contributing to a rich literary tradition that continues to evolve and captivate audiences.
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Catholic novelists can be Catholic by baptism only
The concept of a "Catholic novelist" has been a topic of complex conversations within Catholic culture. While some Catholic novelists may be defined by their baptism alone, their works may reflect a variety of beliefs and relationships with Catholicism. For instance, David Lodge, a self-described "agnostic Catholic", wrote several novels with Catholic themes, such as "The British Museum is Falling Down" and "How Far Can You Go?". These novels explore the relationship between Catholicism and sexuality, satirising the Church's teachings. Similarly, Lodge's "Campus Trilogy" critiques the highly politicised world of elite academia, reflecting his own experiences as a literature professor at the University of Birmingham.
Lodge's works exemplify how a Catholic novelist can engage with a Catholic audience while also appealing to non-Catholic and non-Christian readers. By presenting the ironies and absurdities of life, Lodge's novels offer a human narrative that transcends religious boundaries. This approach aligns with the literary form of the novel, which typically focuses on social or individual dimensions that readers can readily identify with, regardless of their religious commitments.
Another example of a Catholic novelist who wrote about Catholic questions is Muriel Spark, a convert to Catholicism like Graham Greene and Evelyn Waugh. In an interview, Spark distinguished between the deposit of faith and the accidents that surround the everyday activity of the Church, acknowledging the geographic and cultural variations within Catholicism.
The very nature of being a novelist and a Catholic can be a complex interplay. A novelist is driven by their artistic duty to create fiction that transcends limitations and glorifies God through its goodness. However, the Catholic novelist may face the challenge of remaining true to their nature as a fiction writer while navigating their Christian state.
Ultimately, the label of "Catholic novelist" can be multifaceted, encompassing a range of beliefs, practices, and relationships with Catholicism. While baptism may be a defining factor for some, it is the exploration and expression of Catholic themes in their works that often characterise these novelists.
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic novelist is someone who identifies as Catholic and writes novels.
No, a Catholic novelist does not have to be Catholic. There are many ways of being a Catholic novelist, and not all of them involve still being a Catholic.
Examples of Catholic novels include David Lodge's "The British Museum is Falling Down" and "Souls and Bodies" (originally titled "How Far Can You Go?"), as well as Graham Greene's and Muriel Spark's works.
A Catholic novelist must traffic in stories, not in propositions. They should write about sinners and sin without preaching or leading readers into temptation.
