The Way of the Cross

[frogmarch]

Years ago I read a short story that I think was named "The Way of the Cross." I don't know who wrote it - and I am not sure that's the title. It seems to me that the author was a woman.

The story was about a group of tourists visiting the holy land, and how each of them came to experience pain and humiliation, just as Jesus is said to have endured pain and humiliation on the way to his crucifixion. One tourist lost some of her dental implants. Another was afflicted with severe diarrhea. Another had a heart attack. I think another was severely injured. And so on. Those are the only examples I recall.

I'm an atheist, but I remember thinking the story was excellent, and I would like to read it again. If anyone here recognizes it from my description, would you please tell me what the actual title is, if it's not The Way of the Cross," and also who wrote the story? Thanks. :-)

[1monster]

1. Is this it?

http://chris-book-a-rama.blogspot.com/2007/10/short-story-monday-way-of-cross.html

The Way of the Cross by Daphne DuMaurier is the last in her book of short stories Don't Look Now and Other Stories. I think I enjoyed this one the most. A group of Brits travels to Jerusalem on a tour organised by their Vicar. Before landing, the Vicar falls ill leaving an inexperienced parson, Rev. Edward Babcock, in charge. Babcock doesn't want to be in charge of this group of people he doesn't even like. They are tourists, not pilgrims, and all suffer the sin of pride, even the Reverend. Colonel Mason loves to tell stories of his glory days in the army. His wife, Lady Althea is vain and self-important. Jim Foster is a sexist businessman. His long suffering wife likes to make people feel guilty about the poverty in the world although she wears a fur coat. The Smiths are a newlywed couple with bedroom problems. Miss Dean is a spinster with a very different idea of Jerusalem than the bustling city of pilgrims and shopkeepers. Joining the Masons are their precocious nine year old grandson, Robin. He's the only one who's enjoying himself, taking in the sights and the history, while the rest think about themselves and their own disappointments. Unintentionally, they overhear things about themselves they never wanted to know. On a day trip, to the Way of the Cross each one experiences a humiliating event that humbles them and draws them closer as people.

This story is different than the others. There is no hint of the macabre. Everything that happens to the tourists is something that could happen to anyone of us. Each of these people, believing themselves to be above others in the human race end up having very human experiences. The pilgrims humble themselves in the Holy Land. The tourists become humble. The writing reminds me why I enjoy DuMaurier so much.

[frogmarch]

2. Yes! I'm sure that's it!

Thank you so much, 1monster. I've been searching the web for two full years for it, and I finally came to the right place. I appreciate your help very much, and I am thrilled you found it!

I was in middle school when I read it, so I'd forgotten the details mentioned in the report. But they rang a bell, and I know it's the story I've been looking for.

Thank you again. :-)

[frogmarch]

3. Hi again, 1monster...

I was surprised to learn that Daphne du Maurier is considered to have been a secular humanist. Imagine that!

http://www.dumaurier.org/cgi-bin/news/newsscript.pl?record=3

I'd never have guessed that the author of "The Way of the Cross" was a secular humanist, although there was certainly something about this religious-themed story that appealed to young atheist me when I read it. Maybe I'll figure out what it was when I read the story again.

Thanks again for your help.

[1monster]

4. That's funny, because, I don't believe the term "secular humanist" was even

thought of when Du Maurier was writing. She died in 1989 when the term might just have been getting some press.

[frogmarch]

5. Yes, I have an idea you're right

about that. The SHs claim her as one of their own, I think, because of the views she expressed and the way she lived.