Redemption
Redemption is the central theme of the novel. The book follows the spiritual progress of Robert Carlton as a fallen clergyman, who chose to jeopardize his life, reputation, and profession for the sake of truth and honesty. While the only individual who knew his secret was dead, Carlton could have gone with his life as before, unsuspected and unmolested by other people’s opinions and punishment. But the parson of Long stow church chose the road of atonement no matter its outcome. He bore the isolation and humiliation, with which, his former parishioners have met him in order to expiate his sin, atone for his acts, and reach a state of inner peace with himself.
Intolerance and Narrow-mindedness
Intolerance is a prominent theme in the book. It is featured as one of the worst aspects of late 19th century England. Intolerance is the mass characteristic of the inhabitants of Long Stow village. A single sin committed by the parson was enough to make his parishioners regard him as an absolute fiend, and forget all his former good deeds. This reaction conveys the narrow-mindedness of late Victorian society, which viewed matters as either good or evil in an absurd state of dichotomy.
Shadow vs. Persona
The everlasting struggle between shadow and persona is strongly present in the novel. Robert Carlton lived in a society, to which, reputation was much more important than integrity. But to Carlton himself, integrity was crucial, and he risked everything he had in order to atone for his deed, and stand again a redeemed man. This situation had created a conflict between the parson and his parishioners, who perceived in the former’s sin a blow upon their village’s reputation, and a stain upon its history. In a way, the inhabitants of Long Stow were much more worried about reputation than the actual sin or its outcomes.
Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy was one of the dreadful cornerstones of late Victorian England and an emblem of the corruption of its society. It features as an important theme in Peccavi by dint of the important role it plays in the development of its plot. The judgment passed upon Carlton by the villagers, for instance, is tainted with hypocrisy, for it speaks of how they had looked in scorn and contempt upon one of their own. The Parson had sinned, but so does everyone including each of his parishioners. The only difference lays in the fact that Carlton had refused the road of cowardice, and faced God and Men alike with the gravity of his sin, and the honesty of his redemption; whereas the people, who spurned him, had chosen to confine their sins to the dark, and live in a state of utter hypocrisy as assumed saints.
Forgiveness
Remission and clemency form an important portion of the novel. By confessing his own sin, Carlton was hopeful of attaining the pardon of God as well as that of his fellow men. His progress shows that such a goal can only be reached by means of hard work and honesty. The fallen parson of Long Stow, however, is not the only sinner in the story. Jasper Musk is another, and of a different character. It is Musk who had set the church in fire. Carlton was deemed responsible of the deed. Although he knew the real culprit, Carlton did not betray the secret to anyone and bore its outcomes in silence. He had forgiven Musk for his act, and showed an admirable flexibility in dealing with the man. His honest bearing and truthful redemption allowed him to regain the respect of his former parishioners by the end of the tale, whereas the vindictive nature of Musk had confirmed him as a malicious man in the eyes of all.
