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The Man Who Went Too Far Religion

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Although E.F. Benson’s short story The Man Who Went Too Far was published in the early 20th century Edwardian era, it still held the literary essence of the preceding 19th century Victorian era. The gothic was a very prominent notion in the Victorian era. It was both a literary genre and a type of architecture that characterized buildings and places of worship. Religion was also an important aspect in these eras and Benson’s short story deals with this particular aspect in an interesting and strange way.
It is significant to note, that while the Victorian era and the Edwardian era are named after the reigning monarch of that period and are deemed two separate ages, there is not an actual mark between the two that signifies a distinct beginning …show more content…

Mystery is always lurking and we never know what will happen next or what story will Frank tell Darcy and just how bizarre it will be. Meaning and interpretations are abundant. Moreover, Frank symbolizes transgression and the deviation from orthodox Christian values and beliefs. Also, excess and extremity is essentially one of the main themes in the story. Frank has an unquenchable thirst and desire for something, and he is willing to take whatever extreme measures needed to achieve what he …show more content…

In the end it seems as though Frank’s religion is real and he actually does reach a “final revelation” and dies because of it. Not only does Darcy see the shadow of the creature but he also sees marks on Frank’s body: “on his arms and on the brown skin of his chest were strange discolorations which grew momently more clear and defined, till they saw that the marks were pointed prints, as if caused by the hoofs of some monstrous goat that had leaped and stamped upon him”. This passage gives path to a terrifying possibility that Frank was right all

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