Terry Malloy On The Waterfront Analysis

In On the Waterfront Terry Malloy goes on a journey that opens his eyes to all of the sin going on around him. Likewise, in The Divine Comedy Dante goes on a journey that opens his eyes to the consequences for all of the sin going on in his world. Terry becomes troubled, when Joey Doyle is thrown from a rooftop. Terry says, “I figured the worst they'd do is work him over a little” (7). He never imagines that the union thugs would kill Joey. This event kicks off Terry’s struggle between right and wrong. Terry starts out on the wrong side, similar to Dante starting out “lost in the dark wood” (67). Terry encounters various individuals, like Father Barry, Kayo Dugan, and Edie Doyle who influence him. He endures difficulties, like the death of …show more content…
I particularly took notice of the moment when Terry says, “If I spill, my life won't be worth a nickel” (90). And Father Barry replies, “How much is your soul worth if you don't” (90)? This was a turning point for Terry. It reminded me of Matthew 16:26, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul” (1627-1628)? Edie resembles Beatrice given that she encouraged Father Barry to come out of the church and attend to the longshoremen who had been oppressed by the corrupt system of Johnny Friendly. Similarly, Beatrice called Virgil to lead Dante on his journey through hell in order that he might be reunited with her in Heaven. Also, Edie could be equated to Virgil, when she meets Terry at the saloon for drinks and she admonishes him for not telling her what he knows. Throughout On the Waterfront Terry Malloy is changed from a man who only looks out for himself and willingly participates in Friendly’s corruption to a man who is disgusted by corruption and injustice. Similarly, Dante changes from being spiritually adrift to a man who has endured hell and is triumphantly continuing on his way to Heaven. Both were backslidden and both come to despise the sin that they once didn’t recognize as being …show more content…
I think that the behavior of Johnny Friendly and his union thugs resembled the aggressive, hateful, and angry individuals encountered in Cantos VII-IX, like Phlegyas, the Fallen Angels, the Furies and Medusa. They are all driven by pride, greed, and hatred. Whether it be the characters in Inferno or Johnny and the union thugs, they are all willing participants in ravaging and thrashing anyone who stands in their

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