This is an interesting novel about the role of faith and religion in life that is represented by two main heroes in the story.
The priest and the lieutenant, or the hunted and the hunter, because the lieutenant is hunting the priest as the catholic faith and practice is forbidden at the time in Mexico.
A fact the novel has been based on.
There are many interesting views on this novel and one of them is what someone called "half-things.
" The lieutenant and the priest are the only ones who are whole the other characters are "half-caste" (like the mestizo who plays the third most important role in the novel), half-priest or half-husband, etc.
Although the extremities are often dangerous -- particularly in the case of the lieutenant's actions -- Greene seems to suggest that it is better to live life with intensity and passionate commitment than it is to live in an indifferent or complacent fashion.
(1) The novel offers much more food-for-thought, but I have summarized a few statements from the characters in the novel that gives an idea of the content.
(As I have read the novel in Spanish, the statements are not precise).
- The argument of danger applies only to those who live a safe life.
- Believing in God makes one a coward (In Spanish the phrase was: creer en Dios acorbarda).
- Even cowards have a sense of duty.
- Hatred is nothing more than a failure of the imagination.
- Hope is an instinct that only human reason can kill.
- Sweat cleans as well as water does...
cleanness "appears to be" the sister of holiness, not pureness.
(1) - http://www.
sparknotes.
com/lit/powerglory/themes.
html