First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life, June 1st, 2002
Rodney Delasanta is too quick in his indictment of Gustave Flaubert ("Flaubert and the Sin Against the Holy Ghost," March). At least, I hope this is so; if not, it would be wrong of me to like Madame Bovary quite as much as I do. But I think I have more on my side than mere affection: reflection on Aquinas' definition of despair reveals that Delasanta has missed a crucial distinction.
Not every instance of despair constitutes a sin, let alone a sin against the Holy Ghost. I might despair of fixing my bicycle tire, of ever learning to play the piano, or of ever becoming really good at chess....
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