Summary Of The World Made Straight

I selected chapter six titled, “Or the Bible” to further analyze the first section of The World Made Straight. Foster points out, “Even today many writers have more than a nodding acquaintance with the faith of their ancestors” (47). At the end of the reading Travis focuses in on the men killed in Shelton Laurel. Specifically he looks at the story of David Shelton. He recounts his story more than once. “David Shelton shot in both arms, his father and three brothers lying dead around him, the last Shelton still alive in that medow speaking his last words: I forgive you all this- I can get well. Let me go home to my mother and sisters” (87). David could easily be compared to Jesus based off of this account of his death. First he was wrongly put to death after committing no crime. David is the youngest at only twelve years old. Being that childhood is commonly associated with innocence David could be seen as having no sin; a direct connection to Jesus. David also has gun shots in both of his arms which could be connected to the two holes in Jesus’s hands after being nailed to the cross. Most obvious to me was when David explained he would forgive the killers if
David was known as a giant killer after his standoff with Goliath. David was the youngest and smallest of all his brothers in both stories as well. While in the story of David and Goliath, David Shelton was not able to overcome and kill the men thereating his life he was able to prove that he was stronger mentally. A strong faith in God helped David to defeat lions, bears, and Goliath. David Shelton had to have a strong faith as well to be able to both offer to forgive the men and ask for his life. While he did not survive he has lived on as a legend for being so forgiving and an inspired bravery in many other boys. “Travis thought of himself at twelve and when he’d been most scared. Probably sitting in the principal’s office waiting for his daddy to show up”