Reading Notes, Week 4, The Wonders of Saint Berach, Part A.

 

St. Kevin and the Blackbird, reputed to have nested in his hand

The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown

The Wonders of Saint Berach, First Part:

• When it comes to Holy men, they usually have special abilities and/or the story demonstrates their extreme piety that leads into these miracles/special abilities.
• In this case, the Saints are seen as having a close relationship with nature and animals.
• Saints are able to tame the wilderness; the style further just accentuates the piety of the individual, but also puts them in a position where they are almost not human anymore.
• Using this type of imagery really puts into focus how admirable and powerful a character is, but also puts them in a position where they are able to make these types of stories more believable.
• Not only is the Saint able to communicate with nature and animals, they're able to bend nature to their will in order to help people.
• See: Saint Berach, with his piety, is able to make plants grow out of season in order to save an ill boy.
• Another trait that was interesting was the usage of modern day things to emphasize the fact that the story that was being told was from centuries ago.
• "Wild beats prowled everywhere, and there were no policemen."