The Vibrant and Soothing Chords of Almighty’s Magic in Rudy Wiebe’s the Temptations of Big Bear

Rudy Wiebe's protagonists are typically known for their initiation into the self-transcendence endeavor, their constant suffering, and their brave attempt to overcome unbearable crisis and innumerable odds of life for survival. Their struggle consists of their movement towards affecting a recovery in their troubled lives and their ultimate transformation. In the words of St. John of the Cross: For Soul to attain a state of perception, it has ordinarily, first to pass through two principal kinds of night… the first night of purification is of the sensual part of the soul, and the second is the spiritual part. (20) In the struggle of the protagonists for survival and achieving transcendence, the first night corresponds to their psychological development, while the second one relates to their spiritual growth or their symbolic return to their society and religion. The process of development involves the stage of purgation and purification which, St. John of the Cross calls the ‘dark night' of the Soul while in psychological terms, it is called Negredo. Rudy Wiebe's Big Bear goes through the purgation stage as reflected in his extreme suffering, both internal and external, psychic plight, relationship failures, disillusionment and a series of many other painful experiences. The main thrust of the paper is to throw light on the vibrant and soothing chords of Almighty's magic in Big Bear's life amidst his suffering and disillusionment which lights his way and makes him stronger. Beseeching for God's mercy is one aspect that makes Big Bear a deeply religious character.