Religion is often juxtaposed with a scientific worldview, causing conflicts and disharmony. However, “The Sunset Limited” by Cormac McCarthy provides another take on this subject. It is common to perceive the relationship between religion and reason as clashing, yet McCarthy provides a different perspective, in which both sides realize that their deep dissemblance is detrimental to a harmonious existence. This essay will discuss the confrontation between the main characters as an illustration of the debate on religion in McCarthy’s “The Sunset Limited.”
The initial discussion between Black and White appears to be taking a hostile tone as individuals struggle to find common ground. From the very beginning, McCarthy clearly outlines White’s position in the presented philosophical debate, as he states that “everything that happens doesn’t mean something else” (7). At the same time, Black has an opposite perspective on life. McCarthy defines him as a very religious person who believes that “[God] can speak to your heart” (67). Their initial conflict is natural, as such a difference is challenging to overcome at first glance. However, as Black and White talk about God, the meaning of existence, and death, their interest in each others’ views sparks a candid conversation.
One’s existence is a core subject that touches on both ideologies presented in this play. It is the cornerstone through which both philosophies can educate their opponent and break the containment of ideas (O’Connor 95). While White and Black possess different opinions regarding how it should be viewed, they gradually work their way through the rhetorical arguments from each perspective to determine spiritual and earthly aspects of existence. As White states that “everybody dies,” Black refutes by saying that one “could have life everlastin” through God (McCarthy 82). Although White finds this idea nonsensical, his position regarding life is what brought him to a suicide attempt, and he realizes it. Simultaneously, Black sees how White is a complex person with an insightful yet odd perspective on things.
While readers may perceive the debate between characters as a continuous refusal to take others’ positions at face value, the author did not intend it this way. O’Connor argues that each person scrutinizes their interlocutor’s arguments “to educate their counterpart” and expresses “profound solidarity” (92). This notion highlights that the opposition between religion and logic is unnecessary, as they contribute to one’s understanding of life. In the end, both sides may be considered defeated by each other. White agrees that “perhaps once” he could have been saved, while Black realizes that he “[doesn’t] understand why [God] sent” him to help this man (McCarthy 146-148). The effect that produced this outcome is not ignorance but a deeply-seated concept that outlines one’s boundaries of knowledge.
In conclusion, “The Sunset Limited” provides the author’s view on the debate of religion versus reason by revealing that the opposition is what leads to both of them being unable to exist in harmony. Instead, it is more beneficial for people to accept that both sides represent different aspects of human life — materialistic and spiritual. The conflict in this play is more than just a clash of ideals. Individuals are able to perceive others’ trail of thoughts yet remain unable to grasp and internalize their meaning fully. This tragedy signifies that the separation of logic and belief is what prohibits people from pursuing a common good.
Works Cited
McCarthy, Cormac. The Sunset Limited: A Novel in Dramatic Form. Vintage International, 2006.
O’Connor, Patrick. Cormac McCarthy, Philosophy and the Physics of the Damned. EUP, 2022.