Judge Holden
Cormac McCarthy use of vivid description and imagery in this part that involves sermon ceremony reveals Judge Holden as a demonically violent character in the novel. McCarthy, more so in this occasion of a sermon by Reverend Greens, clearly brings out attributes that reveal judge as nothing but devil that has affinity for war.
During the sermon, judge Holden gets into the tent where the congregation is assembled. From his appearance Cormac McCarthy describes him as a giant with serene, child like face and small hands which does not depict the features of human. He perceives him as a mystery from his outlook. Cormac McCarthy describes the judge physical appearance to be unbelievable and full of contrast where the imagery of childlike display traits of a child and judge tend to complement each other. He grows up too fast and seems forever young unlike normal children who took too long to grow. He is believed to have ability to move from one area to another and be at different places at the same time. For instance, he moves from the Reverends tent to the saloon where despite the heavy rain his body and clothes are completely dry (7-8). As a way to clean his tarnished name from false allegation the Reverend goes to extend of crying out and denouncing the Judge is nothing but a devil. Such attributes labeled on the judge, reveal that he possess traits of a devil. Thus, McCarthy uses the Reverend to portray the demonic attributes in the Judge.
Bearing in mind Green was a spiritual leader and a preacher, the judge bears false witness claims on him. While addressing the congregation the judge alters several allegations towards the Reverent which are just false statements as when asked how he knew the reverend so much he laments that he has never seen or heard of him in his life earlier(8). It is just his efficient way to cause violent to cool his bloodthirsty. Among such allegation are the claims that the reverend is just but an imposter who has no qualifications to give a sermon and he is an illiterate. He also claims that the reverent is wanted by the law. On top of that the reverent had sexually assault an eleven year old girl. Also, he levels another accusation at Green, that he had sex with a goat. Such false allegation disgusted the congregation and all over certain a man in the tent draws his pistol and fires which marks the start of chaos and violence breaks out (6-7). Through the tent, the judge cuts a way and escapes to a nearby hotel from which he watch the Green’s tent sway and collapse out of the war he initiated where the congregation are claiming each other’s life).
Such a stirring description by Cormac McCarthy of violence during the sermon, whether literally read it depicts the judge as core cause and when collaborated with his abnormally outlook, his demonically violent character emerges.