28. Black vs. White

This was probably one of the most important battles of the whole book; Father Callahan against Barlow himself. It wasn't just important because it symbolized good vs. evil, it was important because it showed how powerful the force of evil can be; even against a priest like Father Callahan.

pg. 380

Barlow said, "Then will you throw away your cross and face me on even terms - black against white?"

Barlow was referring to Father Callahan's faith and Barlow's faith. White is the symbol of purity. Therefore, Father Callahan would be represented by white. Black is the symbolizes death and mourning. Therefore, Barlow would be represented by black.

Right away, Father Callahan had used the cross against Barlow and Barlow just laughed in his face. He told Father Callahan that the cross meant nothing if he had no faith in his church and continued to make a mockery of Father Callahan's priesthood.

I think that the reason that Barlow ended up winning in the end was simply because he was feeding off of Father Callahan's uncertainties and doubts in his own church. In fact, Father Callahan said it himself earlier in the novel; the Force of the church was not something to be dealt with lightly. The Force meant nothing if the person using it was uncertain of it's power.

I found it very interesting that Stephen King used communion as a medium for Father Callahan's crossing over into the dark side. The bread and the wine that Father Callahan used to consider his religion's communion was replaced with the communion of Barlow's religion. The bread became flesh and the wine transitioned into blood.