An Incarnational Theory of Language
Annie Dillard and the Word Made Flesh engages two of Dillard's most defining characteristics: her belief in the power of language and her Christian faith. Though Dillard's spiritual belief is arguably the most intrinsic aspect of her writings, until now, no full-length examination of her beliefs has ever been undertaken. As a writer, Dillard particularly identifies with Christ's designation as the Word. This incarnational concept of language has four distinct aspects. First, because of her belief in the incarnate Word, Dillard believes that the incarnate world speaks a spiritual language. Secondly, just as Christ physically embodied the spiritual, Dillard believes that the spiritual realm continues to be real and substantial, not ephemeral or abstract. Thirdly, because Christ as Word imbued the world with meaning, Dillard believes that language has a particular capacity to express and create meaning. Finally, because Christ demonstrated sacrifice, so Dillard believes that the writer must adopt a similarly sacrificial role, depleting herself for the sake of the work.
Though Dillard’s spiritual belief is arguably the most intrinsic aspect of her writings, no full-length examination of her beliefs has ever been undertaken. This study also greatly extends the critical examination that has been given to Dillard; going beyond the consideration of Dillard’s first, Pulitzer Prize-winning text, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, the primary focus of most Dillard criticism, it examines the full corpus of Dillard’s nonfiction still in print, as well as her first book of poetry, Tickets for a Prayer Wheel. Incorporating close textual readings, identifying and analyzing scriptural allusions and demonstrating a clear awareness of and engagement with critical responses to her texts, this volume is an important contribution to Dillard scholarship.
