The Varieties of Religious Experience · Character
Billy Bray
Cornish miner known for his joyful Christian life.
minor
Also known as Billy Bray, Bray
First appearance: lectures iv and v the religion of healthy mindedness
Billy Bray's tie to William James is one of the pressures that moves The Varieties of Religious Experience—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
Example of a convert who gave up smoking and chewing tobacco as part of his pursuit of purity.
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With William James (psychological): James uses Bray's autobiography as a vivid example of a joyful and simple Christian faith, contrasting with more tormented souls. With William James (psychological): James uses Bray's…
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See Billy Bray in lectures iv and v the religion of healthy mindednessCharacter Web
4 connectionsA slice of how Billy Bray sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Psychological
- Other
Character groups
- Wide-Ranging Illustrative Voices
- Protagonist
- Exemplars of Religious Experience
- Sudden Conversion and Psychology
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Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Alline’s psychological peak occurs as he confronts the utter futility of his own efforts—his seeking, praying,…
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Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- William James
psychological · positive
James uses Bray's autobiography as a vivid example of a joyful and simple Christian… How this plays out →
- William James
psychological · positive
James uses Bray's autobiography as a vivid example of a joyful and simple Christian… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
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See Billy Bray in lectures iv and v the religion of healthy mindednessIn the story
Billy Bray appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Billy Bray unlock in the free preview.
See Billy Bray in lectures iv and v the religion of healthy mindedness