Muriel Spark, “The Black Madonna”
Biography:
*1918; Scotland;
Jewish-Gentile (Presbyterian) Origin;
1954 Roman Catholic
1958 “Black Madonna” published
lived in Scotland, Rhodesia, …various prizes and awards
Characters
Raymond Parker foreman in the local motor-works
Lou Parker, his wife, ex-nurse
Henry Pierce
} Jamaican workers, “darkies”
Oxford St John
Tina Farrell usherette at the local cinema
Mr Farrel a sorter at the canning factory)
Mr Ackley accountant
Elizabeth Lou’s sister in Bethnal Green; eight children
James E’s oldest son
Setting
Whitney Clay, a “new town”, Liverpool area, large proportion of Catholics
late 1950s
Outline of Structure
I intro: the black Madonna, juxtaposing old and modern ways of worshipping (bigotry)
II introducing the Parkers (and their friends and England); their attitudes “that middle class to which they as good as belonged” (in retrospect: hypocrisy)
III the first Jamaican workers appear
IV Lou and Henry (auto-stereotypes)
V Trip to London. Visiting Elizabeth
insert: Elizabeth’s letter + Lou’s background (has made her way from Liverpool, hopeless childhood) + Raymond’s background (flashbacks)
VI flashback: the visit with Henry’s interference;
“It’s the slum mentality” conversation
VII Oxford St John replaces Henry; Lou feels uneasy. L prays for Oxford being transferred elsewhere (in retrospect: She wants to get rid of her lover??? hypocrisy)
VIII The miracles…; Lou wants a child “in any case”…”You have to be careful with what you pray for. You mustn’t tempt Providence.” (in retrospect: an interesting prediction)
IX Lou pregnant; Henry disappears…; Parkers keenly expecting the child: Lou innocent about contraceptives…( in retrospect: suspicions about Lou)
X the easy birth; Lou refuses to feed the baby
XI the obscure ancestors; Oxford’s blood tests do not “tally”
insert second letter (Elizabeth’s gleeful comments)
XII. “nasty” remarks by neighbours, nurses playing practical jokes etc (real? imagined?)
the baby is put up for adoption; Raymond has arranged to be transferred to London….
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