Is Sister Edit's love for David Holm strictly Christian love for her fellow man, or is there anything romantically emotional about it? I've watched this excellent movie multiple times (I own the DVD), but haven't entirely decided. My feeling is that her love for David is probably strictly Christian. But - at the same time - it seems rather beyond just that. What do others think?
sharegenplant29 I just saw this mesmerising film for the first time. Like you, I also am mystified by Sister Edit's response to this stinky, uncouth, vicious, malicious, destructive ingrate. Perhaps she does have some yearning for this utter loser. At the same time, Sister Edit might have an inkling of the special fate that is reserved for David, as she is anxious to see him at the end. It may be that she feels like an important instrument in his ultimate salvation.
shareI don't think Edith's love for David was "strictly Christian". Watching the movie carefully, you may spot something that points on the complexity of that young, inexperienced girl's feeling.
Listen to your enemy, for God is talking
I think that perhaps (and probably) even she doesn't quite realize her Christian love for David slipped into dysfunctional obsessive emotional territory, something decidedly along the general lines of needily romantic. David having been her first mission case, I think Edit, being young and inexperienced, eagerly, from the get go, gave him so completely her all, from a compassion and "Christian love" standpoint, that it, before long, evolved into a "first love" sort of situation, she not being able to get him out of her head and heart, and, ultimately, winding up living and breathing David Holm. To her thinking, I rather suspect Edit probably doesn't personally quite "get" that she has essentially fallen in love with David.
shareMore than that, beneath the layers of extreme self-neglect, that Holm's features were handsome, for Mr. Sjostrom had had, using the modern language, the profound charisma. Having an earthly feelings towards him (enhanced with "Christian love") would be natural for the person like Edith.
One small detail (maybe I'm wrong) - Holm spotted it in Edith, as we did.
Listen to your enemy, for God is talking
This movie certainly does present a masterful case study of a psychologically abusive, destructively unhealthy relationship and seriously (ultimately tragically) misdirected feelings and devotion.
shareWouldn't agree with you. In that aspect, the story can't be so interesting. Holm wasn't a common drunk, corrupted and unreformable, but he was "dead" inside. The feeling of an immense guilt for his brother's tragedy, and an additional blow inflicted on him, instead of an essential support in that hard, but decisive time, ruined his persona. Edith's naivety "raised" him from the dead, both moral and physical, and IMO Holm was "worth" it. My only problem with the movie is that at this point, it is marked with a palpable moralization, that was mentioned by numerous critics. However, in all respects, the movie is a gem, whose outstanding qualities didn't dim with a time.
Listen to your enemy, for God is talking
Aha! That explains it--Holm did notice Edith's "crush" on him. Good observation.
shareHonestly, I never thought about this topic so far, when I've read your thread on it. I've always assumed it was romantic love, but then again, she was a Christian person and did know he was a married man and had children, so this is very confusing for me now, LOL.
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
Yes, Fran. Something not clearly explainable about the whole thing seems to render the relationship in a strange category all its own. lol
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