![]() ![]() Many have seen echoes in the novel of Chesterton's own longstanding and very public debates over religion with his friend, George Bernard Shaw. The real antagonist is the world outside, which desperately tries to prevent from happening a duel over "mere religion" (a subject both duelists judge of utmost importance). Turnbull, as well, is presented in a sympathetic light: both duelists are ready to fight for and die for their antagonistic opinions and, in doing so, develop a certain partnership that evolves into a friendship. Lynette Hunter has argued that the novel is more sympathetic to Maclan, but does indicate Maclan is also presented as in some ways too extreme. Much of the rest of the book concerns the dueling, figurative and somewhat more literal, of a Jacobite Catholic named Evan Maclan and an atheist Socialist named James Turnbull. A part of this section was quoted in Pope John Paul I's Illustrissimi letter to G. The novel's beginning involves debates about rationalism and religion between a Professor Lucifer and a monk named Michael. ![]() The first chapters of the book were serialized from 1905 to 1906 with the completed work published in 1909. The title refers to a more worldly and rationalist worldview, represented by a ball or sphere, and the cross representing Christianity. In this comical clash of cultures, a passionate Christian and a dogmatic atheist battle. ![]()
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