The Illegal Literary Analysis
Throughout my reading of Lawrence Hills “The Illegal” a convergent began to form. An unabating theological presence of hope continued throughout his work. “The Illegal” as well as “The Book of Negroes” coincides with the Christian definition of hope. The novel allowed me to become exclusive with the main character, Keita Ali, and his situation, as well as with my own beliefs towards Christianity. I was forced to question and compare many theological topics of hope due to this novel. In this paper, I will make comparisons of specific quotes from the novel to compare and contrast them against the theological definition of hope. Therefore, through the thorough analyzation of “The Illegal” and the theological definition of hope, I can establish
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It is because we are created in His image that God does not show partiality or favoritism (Deuteronomy 10:17). Jesus did not lay down His life for a particular race of people, but by His death He “purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). Jesus destroyed all barriers of ethnicity with His death; “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). Jesus’ belief in treating everyone equally makes me realize that Ali is suffering. He was gifted with running as fast as an Olympic runner – helping his family and people close to him. Now he is alone, suffering trying to help his sister Charity while being Illegal and on the run. “Keita Ali was anonymous, alone and about to go underground in Clarkson, population 4.5 million – the capital and the biggest city of Freedom State. Nobody knew him here. If something happened to him, nobody would think to notify his sister. Nobody would even know where to find her. Keita Ali could not afford to get caught. If he were deported, he would likely be executed, and then Charity would be all alone. If any immigration official or police officer approached him, Keita would run for his life” (Hill, The Illegal). In this quote, it is obvious how Keita Ali was afraid and extremely alone. He was in Freedom State knowing that if he was taken by officials there, he would no longer be
It is because we are created in His image that God does not show partiality or favoritism (Deuteronomy 10:17). Jesus did not lay down His life for a particular race of people, but by His death He “purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). Jesus destroyed all barriers of ethnicity with His death; “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). Jesus’ belief in treating everyone equally makes me realize that Ali is suffering. He was gifted with running as fast as an Olympic runner – helping his family and people close to him. Now he is alone, suffering trying to help his sister Charity while being Illegal and on the run. “Keita Ali was anonymous, alone and about to go underground in Clarkson, population 4.5 million – the capital and the biggest city of Freedom State. Nobody knew him here. If something happened to him, nobody would think to notify his sister. Nobody would even know where to find her. Keita Ali could not afford to get caught. If he were deported, he would likely be executed, and then Charity would be all alone. If any immigration official or police officer approached him, Keita would run for his life” (Hill, The Illegal). In this quote, it is obvious how Keita Ali was afraid and extremely alone. He was in Freedom State knowing that if he was taken by officials there, he would no longer be