The Face Of Judas Iscariot, by Bonnie Chamberlain - Tenth standard Supplementary. TNPSC EXAM

Summary

The story of Judas Iscariot, as told by an old priest, revolves around an artist commissioned to paint a mural depicting the life of Jesus. After years of searching for models, he finds a boy with an angelic face to represent the Christ child but struggles to find a suitable Judas. Eventually, he discovers a man whose life has been ravaged by vice and despair, revealing the irony that the face of innocence can turn into one of evil. This poignant tale illustrates the loss of innocence and the transformation of man through choices, suggesting that we all have the potential for both good and evil.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story revolves around an artist commissioned to paint a mural depicting the life of Jesus in a Sicilian cathedral.
• 😀 The artist successfully finds a model for the Child Jesus, a twelve-year-old boy with an angelic face.
• 😀 Despite years of searching, the artist struggles to find a suitable model for Judas Iscariot.
• 😀 Many men offer to pose as Judas, but none satisfy the artist's vision of a man destroyed by greed and lust.
• 😀 The artist discovers a gaunt, disheveled man in a tavern who embodies the sins he wishes to portray.
• 😀 The artist takes the man in, believing he has finally found the right model for Judas.
• 😀 As the painting progresses, the man's demeanor changes, revealing his inner turmoil and regret.
• 😀 The model ultimately reveals that he was once the artist's model for the Child Jesus, highlighting his fall from grace.
• 😀 The story suggests that all humans are born innocent but can lose their purity through life's choices.
• 😀 This narrative serves as a reflection on the duality of human nature, illustrating the potential for both innocence and corruption.

Q & A

What is the primary subject of the mural being painted by the artist?

The primary subject of the mural is the life of Jesus.

Who does the artist find to model for the Child Jesus?

The artist finds a twelve-year-old boy with an angelic face to model for the Child Jesus.

Why is the artist struggling to find a model for Judas Iscariot?

The artist is struggling to find a model for Judas Iscariot because he wants someone who represents the destructive nature of greed and lust.

What significant change does the model for Judas experience as the painting progresses?

As the painting progresses, the model for Judas experiences a transformation marked by horror and agitation as he sees his painted likeness.

What ironic twist is revealed about the model for Judas?

The ironic twist is that the model for Judas was once the model for the Child Jesus, highlighting the contrast between innocence and corruption.

What does the story suggest about the nature of humanity?

The story suggests that humans are born innocent but can become wicked over time due to life experiences and choices.

How does the artist react when he recognizes his model for Judas?

The artist is startled and recognizes the deep irony in the fact that the man who modeled for Judas was once a symbol of innocence.

What role does the tavern play in the story?

The tavern serves as the setting where the artist finds the gaunt and tattered figure who ultimately becomes the model for Judas.

What does the child's angelic face symbolize in the story?

The child's angelic face symbolizes purity and the inherent innocence of childhood.

What is the overall message of the story regarding innocence and wickedness?

The overall message is that the journey from innocence to wickedness is a universal aspect of the human experience, reminding us that anyone can lose their purity through life choices.