The Shack Character Analysis

907 Words2 Pages

Even though I did not find William Paul Young’s novel The Shack fascinating, but it is highly meticulous in settings and sketching of its main character Mackenzie Allen Phillips (Mack). The novel begins with depiction of a winter storm which introduces Mack who gets injured when he goes out to check his mail. In the mail, he gets an envelope that has the message “Mckenzie, It’s been a while. I’ve missed you. I’ll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together ---Papa” (18). This message eventually becomes the theme of the novel. In the beginning, it appears that Missy, Mack’s daughter, seems to be the dominant character of the novel. As she disappeared during the family vacation, the novel gives readers the impression that the story …show more content…

The idea that God writes him a message and send him through the mail is “as absurd as that sounded” (69) to him as it would be to anyone. However, he began to make plans to go to the Shack to find comfort in spirituality through finding god. What he experiences at the Shack struck him. He meets god in three different forms. He was stunned when he saw a black woman as a god whom he calls Papa. This shatters his belief that god is a man and white. He sees Jesus and is surprised that he is a middle-eastern and not as good looking as he thought. Then he meets the holy-spirit—Sarayu (Asian). In the beginning, he doubts everything he sees. He questions the presence of God just like any individual who does not have a close relationship with god. But when Papa starts to unfold Mack’s fears and darkest hidden secrets, he starts to feel a little at ease. Mack, like an ordinary human, accuses god for Missy’s death. When Papa tells Mack that she loves Missy and she does not choose the tragic events that take place in human life, Mack becomes even more puzzled. He ask her then why does not she intervene to protect Missy. Papa

Open Document