Ben McManus: Why I'm Down With The Slave

Ben McManus

Why I’m Down with The Slave

I really like The Slave. It was well written, engaging, and all that other stuff, but what I like most about the story was Jacob’s developing relationship with God. I’ve always felt that the threat of Hell and the promise of Heaven was a week way to promote belief in the philosophy. It seems so childish to me, to believe in something simply because a reward is in store if you do, and a punishment is in store if you don’t. I feel that if you’re going to believe in something, you should do so because you respect and identify with it.

At the start of the story, Jacob is constantly fearful of loosing his passage into Heaven. As a result, the purity of his relationship with God is tarnished. You get a sense that despite everything, Jacob hates God, and only obeys his law so as not to suffer eternally. This mentality cripples Jacob’s ability to develop as a human being. He’s afraid to grow, and change.

After Jacob sleeps with Wanda, he feels he’s condemned himself in God’s eyes. At this point, I expected Jacob to turn his back on God. What’s the point? If God’s already condemned him to Hell, why bother with the relentless struggle to appease him? But Jacob doesn’t abandon God. Despite loosing his chance at infinite reward, Jacob still loves the Torah. He can’t help it, he just does. This recognition allows Jacob to love God honestly, without the relationship being tarnished with incentive. Once Jacob is no longer worried about Heaven or Hell, he’s able to view the religious text with a more open mind. This gives him a chance to better understand life, rather than constantly worry about death.