The Shack Novel

The Shack Novel

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The Shack Novel

The Shack is a novel that was authored by William Young, a Canadian national. It was published in 2007. Set in the American northwest, The Shack is about Mack, the main character, his family, and friends. Mack is the husband of Nan, and together, they have five children. The narration is about the family and their agony when one of the children, Missy, is murdered. Her sister, Kate, feels she is at fault for Missy’s demise; she thinks her carelessness in the canoe, which drove her father towards saving them and leaving Missy, leads to all the problems. However, towards the end, she is made to understand that it was not her fault. The story is coupled with various episodes of supernatural narrations, which Mack experiences. It is through these supernatural episodes that Mack eventually finds out the real Missy’s killer, the little lady-killer.

Kate, Missy’s Body, and Their Importance to the Novel

As the story unravels, Mack takes his family on holiday to Wallowa Lake (Young 16). However, while there, things go from bad to worse. Kate and her sibling, Josh, set out on a canoe in the lake, while their father stays with Kate’s sister, Missy. As Kate and Josh enjoy paddling in the boat, Kate losses her balance, and the canoe capsizes, submerging Josh (Young 19). Mack runs over and manages to rescue Josh. However, once the three are safe on the shore, Mack realizes that Missy is missing (Young 20). This begins a long and painful search for her. However, Kate lives with the blame for long, until after Missy’s body is found.

Kate’s belief that she is to blame for her sister’s death is essential to the whole plot. In the works of literature, readers’ attention is well captured by such things as suspense. Creating suspense in a movie or a story is critical. Not only does it obtain the concentration of the audience, but it also helps in building the plot of the entire work of literature. In The Shack, even though Mack is depicted as the main character, Kate’s role is equally vital to the plot. A massive piece of the story is centered around her. Taking up the blame for Missy’s death achieves a unique role in building up the novel and the narration, attracting suspense among the readers. This is important to the entire story.

Missy’s death is a massive blow to Mack’s family. Given the biblical context and themes that play about in The Shack, the author must choose one intriguing incident which can help drive the intended message. In this case, Kate’s belief that she is responsible for Missy’s death is the best scene. Through it, the author manages to describe the expected outcomes. These include Kate finding it difficult to leave with such thoughts, the difficulties which Mack’s family go through, as well as the intriguing events which eventually lead to the truth being unraveled. Once everyone knows the truth, Kate is finally relieved; her mother, Nan, also starts believing Mack (Young 118). The family becomes happy once more.

‘If Anything Matters, Then Everything Matters’

In his efforts to find out what happened to Missy, Mack gets involved in an accident, from where he is taken into a coma. His mind then wanders to the supernatural world to meet ‘Papa.’ It is from this encounter that he meets Sarayu. He asks Sarayu, “Is what I do back home important?”  (Young 113). In his response, Sarayu tells Mack, “If anything matters, then everything matters.” This is in a bid to encourage Mack to continue doing the excellent work he does, caring for his family.

Mack is invited to do everything good, however insignificant it may seem to be. Through the conversation, and with Sarayu’s answers to Mack, the reader gets to understand the true meaning of the statement, “If anything matters, then everything matters.”. Mack is reminded of his importance, not only to his family members but also to other people, even those who have wronged him. He is advised on forgiveness. Sarayu tells him, “Because you are important, everything you do is important” (Young 113). To him, everything good done by an individual is magnified into a positive change for the world. The things which Mack deemed to be ‘small’ or irrelevant are significant. He is asked to forgive more; this way, the world changes. Sarayu tells him, “Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes” (Young 113).

The Shack, and The Christian Doctrine of the Holy Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity is considered the basis on which the Christian Faith is based upon. Christians believe that there is one God, occurring in three forms; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This existence in three forms is termed the Holy Trinity. In the Holy Trinity, God Father is the architect of heaven and earth. Jesus Christ, who is God the son, is the redeemer; He was sent to save the world. God, the Holy Spirit, is an aid, guiding Christians in their daily lives.

The Shack is a novel that goes a long way in helping one better to understand the Christian Doctrine of the Holy Trinity. This is well elaborated by Mack’s experience in the ‘second world’ when he goes unconscious after the accident. Through the revelations he encounters with ‘Papa,’ one can understand the mysterious ways in which the Holy Trinity works. He had a unique encounter with the three persons of the Holy Trinity; his troubles ended after this encounter.

Works Cited

Young, Wm Paul. The shack. Hachette UK, 2008.