Gilead Lesson Plan

The novel is narrated from John's point of view, giving the reader access into his deepest thoughts and emotions. How does John see himself? What can you glean about how others (his congregation, his son, his wife, Boughton) see him? How do you, the reader, see him?

John appears to have a humble, calm, uncomplicated view of himself. He does not think that he has accomplished anything remarkable in his decades as a small-town preacher, but he also does not see his life as wasted. He stresses to his son that he is not a saint. Though he has lived a life of piety and conviction, he considers himself nothing compared to his grandfather. The people of Gilead seem to think...