When Noble Characters and Positive Realism Shine

Lobby card for British film "The Mission" (1986). The film depicts the Jesuit's work with the Guarani people in South America. MovieStillsDB

In the televised BBC drama about English social classes “Upstairs, Downstairs,” often, the noblest characters are those who faithfully perform their “downstairs” servant roles for “upstairs” people, who are, at times, quite ignoble. Surprisingly and refreshingly, honor and inner nobility do not require pedigree or power. This revelation, like a ray of truth, shines through the fiction.

Nico Mirallegro (C) plays one of the "downstairs" staff in the TV series "Upstairs Downstairs." MovieStillsDB

Similarly, Christopher Foyle, in the British drama “Foyle’s War,” considers his own role as a police detective to be less consequential than the contributions others are making directly to the war against Nazi Germany. Yet he “soldiers on” despite setbacks and people who treat him poorly. For him, discovery of a culprit does not always end with a satisfying conviction; often Inspector Foyle has to live with partial satisfaction. But he resolutely, philosophically, accepts this and comes back to serve again another day. His fairness, courtesy, and effort to help others, do not waiver. Nobility of character is not determined or diminished by outcomes. Foyle’s qualities are a marvelous beacon of order in a world of chaos and warped motives.

Realistically incorporating research about wartime Britain, “Foyle’s War” is impressive historical fiction. Well done, Anthony Horowitz!

Many modern writers adopt the cynical view that realism requires a silencing of goodness, beauty, hope, and faith. But such a pessimistic outlook is not realism. Even in a hardened urban landscape, the roots of trees really do break up sidewalks and flowers really do grow from cracks in cement. And finding this heartening resilience reflected in fiction is what rejoices my heart. For me, it is an essential quality of good fiction. Pessimism is easy and soul-destroying; capturing the optimism of sunshine after rain is challenging to write but, to my thinking, infinitely more worthwhile. Done well, it can help to dispel a cloud of negativity in thoughts about life with subtle reminders of God’s presence, goodness and a way forward.

Lobby card for "The Mission," starring Jeremy Irons, Robert de Niro, and Ray McAnally. MovieStillsDB

A 1986 movie, “The Mission,” illustrates well how light can triumph despite an evil time in history. The movie is historical fiction based upon Jesuit missions to the indigenous Guarani communities of Paraguay, Argentina and southern Brazil. In the 18th century, Jesuit settlements in the jungle were built to welcome thousands of Guarani with shelter, medicine, teaching in agriculture and education for children—while protecting them from slave hunters. This was so impressive that Voltaire called the work, “a triumph of humanity ... [which] seems to expiate the cruelties of the first conquerors.”

History records decades of flourishing jungle communities, and, sadly, the final dissolution of missions by slave-trading authorities. The movie depicts warring factions, notable successes of the Jesuits and their Guarani settlements, but also the final devastation. This, we think numbly, is realism.

With a heavy heart we watch the end of the movie. A closing post-raid scene shows Guarani children, having escaped the slavers, picking out of their river a broken musical instrument. So life will go on; beauty will be treasured and perhaps even restored! A single line from John’s gospel appears on the screen: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Faith does not deny the darkness, but looks for the glimmer of light—and finds it!

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