The novel Honk If You Are Jesus is a mix of satire, medical fantasy, and science fiction, which has recently became science fact. Set at a private university on the Gold Coast somewhere in the future, the novel tells the story of Mara, a brilliant gynaecologist drawn into the murky waters of cloning and genetic reconstruction. The novel is basically buried in conflict. Exploration of conflict can be defined as discovery of one's inner/outer conflict or explaining the conflict one might feel internally or externally. Inspiration or to be inspired, relates to a motivational force that would urge one to perform an act. This essay deals with conflict in relationships within the novel Honk If You Are Jesus by Peter Goldsworthy, while also taking into consideration subtexts consisting of an icon of Archangel Michael modified over the years by various Coptic artists. Also, 'The Scream' by Edward Munch taken from the stimulus booklet. And lastly, the gospel of Mathew from the New King James Version chapters 21 - 28. The main concern of this essay is to show that the exploration of conflict IS the inspiration for most works of art or written expre

Lastly, the final subtext I have chosen to include is perhaps the greatest story of them all, the story of Jesus of Nazareth, taken from the gospel of Mathew. I have chosen a certain section from this extravagant chronicle (chapters 21-28), this is from Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem until his final resurrection. Jesus Christ was accepted into Jerusalem as a king, but lurking in the midst of the cheers and ovation lay the Pharisees and the scribes who plotted to kill him. With help from Judas Iscariot, one of Christ's own Disciples, he was captured, accused wrongly and then crucified by Pontius Pilate. Then on the third day came the victory, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and unlocked the gates of paradise so that all who are good may enter. From this summary, let us analyse the first point; one may be inspired to create a work of art or written expression through observation and exploration of a certain element of a conflict such as betrayal or depression. This was exactly the case when Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, just as Mara was betrayed, but in a harsher manner. This betrayal at the garden of Gethsemane is a climax in the story of Christ, without it Christ would not have been crucified. This brings us to our second point; One may be inspired to create a work of art through exploration of a certain component of a conflict situation such as a pose from a physical confrontation or a quote from a verbal argument. The story of Christ has produced some pictures that bring tears to one's eyes. Pictures of Christ's crucifixion and his resurrection from the dead are innumerable. Quotes from the bible can be seen everywhere and reference to Christ on regular occasions is not a surprise. Now we finally come to our third point; one may be inspired to create a work of art or written expression from exploration of the outcome of a conflict state, whether it be victory or defeat. This is certainly the case in the story of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus resurrected on the third day and conquered his enemies just as Mara defeated her own enemies in Scanlon and his work. It is apparent that this great work of art, the story of Jesus of Nazareth, meets the criteria involved in the main points.

However, Mara finally betrays both Scanlon and Hollis Schultz. Mara betrays Scanlon by destroying what may have well been the greatest thing since the birth of Christ; his second coming. Mara also betrays Hollis Schultz by preventing him from receiving the perfect son. The betrayals that Mara performs are much more devastating than what she received. This is due to the years effort placed into the research of William Scanlon and the consistent effort of the Shultz's to bear a child. At this point Mara feels that she has conflict with god, not her god, but the god of many "And as I emptied the suction jar into the sink, and set the hot water roaring after it, the realisation came that I had also killed God, not my God, perhaps, but the god of many" (pg 279). At this point Mara has taken the first step to resolve her conflict in religion itself. Goldsworthy depicts this by what Mara is thinking "Close on the heels of this revelation came another, almost as surprising: performing this abortion was, finally, some sort of act of faith. My first for many years." (pg 279) Mara evidently was satisfied with her actions and her new found loyalty to religion.

Also, Scanlon betrays Mara. Scanlon betrays Mara by switching what he believed to be the genetic material of Jesus Christ with Hollis Schultz's to fertilise Mary-Beth Schultz. This was too much for Mara to bare, so for this reason she left Scanlon. Goldsworthy conveys this conflict to the author by Mara's unbelief of the situation "No, it's too ridiculous...lunatic". Goldsworthy coneys the conflict between Mara and Scanlon by the 'infrequent' and 'uncommon' language Mara uses while confronting Scanlon "Understand what? Sorry, there's been a mix up at the cell lab? We gave you the Son of God by mist

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Approximate Word count = 2671
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)