Christian perspective in The Knife of Never Letting Go and The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness

Abstract

Religion and literature have long maintained a parallel, intertwined, and mutually influential relationship. The two novels Chaos Walking 1: The Knife of Never Letting Go and Chaos Walking 2: The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness, are set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world. Through this narrative, the author reflects on pressing societal issues, highlighting that concerns about the future of the world are not only religious but also humanistic. Utilizing an interdisciplinary comparative approach, this paper explores the influence of Christianity on Patrick Ness's novels. By drawing parallels with original myths found in the Book of Genesis and Revelation in the Bible, the study aims to classify and conduct an interdisciplinary evaluation of literary archetypes. The paper will also reference Christian theological thought where necessary to analyze these unique archetypes in greater depth.