In the introduction to “The Hint of an Explanation,” the writer gives a brief biography of Greene, and, on page 71, notes Greene’s predicament as the son of the headmaster. Understandably, Greene was often “in the position of choosing between loyalty to his peers or loyalty to his father.” These experiences contributed to two major themes in his work, which the author of the biography describes as “the choice between loyalty and betrayal” and “childhood experience[s].” Our class has already witnessed both of these themes in “The Destructors” to their own extents; there is an underlying sense of loyalty that the boys have for T. as essentially their impromptu leader, and the story obviously focuses on what could be a pivotal moment in the lives of all of the children involved. In “The Hint of an Explanation,” Greene highlights these elements even more, as they become the driving force of the story.
This is most evident in the climactic scene towards the end of the story, when Blacker stands outside David’s window, asking for the Host. Throughout the narrative, David focused more and more on the transubstantiation, to the point of correcting himself mid-sentence: “I went to the chair and picked it—Him—up.” (pg. 81) This represents the growing sense of loyalty David has to God and his faith, and giving the Host to a man as ugly and hateful as Blacker would betray Him. Indeed, as the Eucharist is the Body of Christ, we can draw a parallel between David and the biblical Judas, the biggest difference being the prize (thirty pieces of silver for Judas, and a train for David). Thus, faithfulness seems to be David’s motivation for refusing Blacker’s offer, underscoring the importance of loyalty.
Greene’s second theme arises in a relatively staggering impact of this childhood experience for David. Before he leaves the train, we learn he has decided to become a priest, strongly suggesting that this one incident from his childhood at least partially influenced his choice of vocation.
These two ideas still carry their power today, as seen in the film Inception, released over sixty years after Greene wrote his short story. In the movie’s subplot about Robert Fischer, the protagonists (or, “dream team,” as I call them) attempt to convince Fischer to dissolve his father’s company using (1) his love for, or loyalty to, his father and (2) memories from his childhood, partially embodied in the picture of young Robert and his pinwheel. The characters face a task they repeatedly describe as near impossible, but subscribe to the elements Greene outlines for their best chance at success. (Spoiler alert for the clip.)
Greene develops these critical themes to the fairly sudden conclusion of the story, which leaves a lot of loose ends for the reader. Perhaps most importantly, we can wonder if the agnostic narrator received a “hint” by the end. Whether he did or didn’t, what kind of changes in the narrator’s life from that point on can we postulate, if any?
2 comments:
I think Dan highlights well some of the major themes running throughout “The Hint of an Explanation.” The issue of loyalty and betrayal forms the foundation on which the story stands. The impact of choice as well plays a significant role. It is this “choice” that rises above the other themes in significance. Greene uses choice as a chance for his characters to attain grace. Grace comes in the opportunity to do what is good and righteous. In “The Destructors,” the gang (and eventually Blackie) decides to invest in the destruction of beauty (i.e. Mr. Thomas’ house). They must make a choice between doing what is right or what is wrong, regardless of the leader’s position. In “The Hint of an Explanation,” David faces many such choices. Should he go inside Blacker’s store, or should he never consider the thought of doing so? His decision to enter the store sets up the opportunity for grace later on. The most pivotal decision comes when Blacker tries to bribe David, as he desires to know “what [his] God tastes like (78). The choice David must make does not only concern his schoolboy fantasies about the train set, but it also forces David to choose between his somewhat unappealing and mechanical faith and his doubts. Despite his doubts, David makes a wholehearted choice to defend his faith and, more importantly, Jesus. In the face of death, David bears witness to the sanctity of the Eucharist and the faith he never before embraced.
Loyalty and betrayal. So glad we have already identified these as themes in Graham Greene. Quite literally, these two concepts will appear -- in different guises -- in every work we read.
Greene will tell us, in "The Power and the Glory," that "[t]here is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in." When applied to "Hint," this observation couldn't be more true. This is that moment, for David. Josh puts it so well: he chooses then to commit to his previously mechanical faith in more thoughtful way, as a result of this moment of grace.
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