Mortmain is a term that refers to the ownership of land by a legal entity, such as a corporation or church, rather than by an individual. This concept is central to the theme of Graham Greene's novel "The Power and the Glory," which explores the impact of the suppression of Catholicism in Mexico during the 1920s and 1930s.
In the novel, the character of the whisky priest, who is the protagonist, represents the idea of mortmain. He is a priest who has been ordained in the Catholic Church but is now on the run from the authorities because of his refusal to renounce his faith. As he travels through the Mexican countryside, he encounters a variety of people, including a wealthy landowner who is a member of the anti-clerical government, a group of bandits, and a young Indian boy.
Throughout the novel, Greene uses the idea of mortmain to symbolize the struggle between the Church and the state, as well as the conflict between individual conscience and societal expectations. The whisky priest's determination to remain true to his faith despite the dangers he faces is a testament to the enduring power of the Church, which is able to withstand even the most hostile of circumstances.
However, the novel also suggests that the Church's adherence to its own laws and principles can sometimes come at a high cost. The whisky priest is forced to flee from one place to another, always looking over his shoulder and never able to settle down or establish roots. This sense of rootlessness and isolation is a metaphor for the Church's inability to fully engage with the society in which it exists, as it is beholden to a higher authority and cannot compromise its beliefs in order to appease the state.
In "The Power and the Glory," Greene uses the concept of mortmain to explore the complex relationship between faith and politics, and to illustrate the tension that can arise when the two collide. Through his portrayal of the whisky priest, Greene challenges readers to consider the true cost of standing up for one's beliefs and the sacrifices that may be required in order to remain faithful to one's calling.
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