Religion, Revenge, and Reed's Haunted Convict Anjali Berdia College

In Austin Reed’s The Life and Adventures of a Haunted Convict, Reed uses religion to explain his various emotions and opinions, especially ones related to justice. The two passages in this paper highlight how his attitude towards religion and revenge changes from when he is young to when he grows older, suggesting a maturity that comes with age and imprisonment. Though readers cannot be sure if the writer actually changes or if it just the character in the memoir, the way Reed uses religion in these two contexts do shape the novel into a story of personal growth and maturity. The differences in these passages shows Reed’s growth, through their medium, argument, and goals.

The first passage is notable for young Reed’s use of religious language to convince Strongman to help him hurt Mr. Terry. When Reed asks what Strongman thinks about his plan, Strongman responds that it “will be shedding blood,” to which Reed exclaims, “Oh, you poor miserable fool, have you never read the law of Moses, where he says blood for blood?” (95). Strongman attempts to bring up other biblical phrases to dissuade Reed, such as “thou shalt not kill,” to which Reed says, “Great God, no more of your scripture lessons. Did that old tyrant think that it was...