A discussion of the themes of sin and redemption in “The Heart of the Matter” by Graham Greene.
This paper reviews the novel “The Heart of the Matter” by Graham Greene and outlines the plight of police commissioner Scobie from an upright life based on morals and rules to the hell of a tormented sinner. It examines how Scobie’s life is defined by rules and obligation and as he begins to follow his heart, he is led to damnation of his soul followed by suicide. It shows how Greene strongly establishes the view that love leads to sin and how the novel illustrates the confusion of a Catholic man as he is torn between the obligation to his wife and the oath to a piteous young woman. The sympathy and responsibility he feels for every other person but himself leads him to commit sins and destroy himself.
The addition of love in Scobie’s bland life complicated his situation. While Louise was away, Major Scobie falls into an affair with Helen Rolt, a young widow who Scobie met as a victim of a shipwreck. Scobie becomes enthralled in the relationship. Louise’s decision to return home because of knowledge of the relationship and Scobie’s obligation to keep both women happy forces Scobie to turn to God. He places their well being before his own, leading to self-damnation and a deeper plunge into the tangled string of emotions and duties he is now in.