# Sinner — Verses on Various Occasions character guide

> Sinner in Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Thy, thy

**First appearance:** 0000-epigraph

## Who they are

A generic penitent figure, representing human frailty.

## In the story

### [XXIX: Bondage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/xxix-bondage)

The one who hates his own heart and cannot put away sin.

### [XXXVIII: Absolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/xxxviii-absolution)

The penitent who confesses his fall and seeks cleansing from guilt.

### [XL: The Haven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/xl-the-haven)

Addressed directly, told that the rare guest of peace is a figure of Adam's rest.

### [XLII: Fair Words](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/xlii-fair-words)

Addressed as 'Friend' and 'thee', the one whose fair words are questioned and who is urged to consider the seriousness of his path.

### [Penance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/xlvii-penance)

The 'mortal' addressed is implicitly the sinner, called to hate his proud heart and sanctify his woe.

### [Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/lxxiii-dreams)

Implied as the one whose past is recalled in dreams and who is called to accept the thorn.

### [Reverence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/lxxxix-reverence)

The speaker identifies with the sinful, defiled human condition, full of unlovely thoughts and rebel aims.

### [CI: The Church in Prayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/ci-the-church-in-prayer)

Those who call for preaching and freedom, the intended audience of the saint's mission.

### [CXXIII: Matins—Sunday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxxiii-matins-sunday)

Implied as the collective 'we' who seek cleansing from sin and protection from defilement.

### [Matins—Thursday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxxviii-matins-thursday)

The speaker confesses guilt and sin, seeking washing and robing in grace.

### [Matins—Friday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxxix-matins-friday)

Implied as the supplicant seeking mercy and purification from sin.

### [CXLIII: Vespers—Sunday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxliii-vespers-sunday)

Referenced in 'a sinner’s due' as the one who earns punishment.

### [CLII: Advent—Matins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clii-advent-matins)

Referenced as the one whose doom is fixed at the judgment seat.

### [Advent—Lauds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cliii-advent-lauds)

Earth-bound soul called to awake and hasten to be forgiven.

### [For a Confessor Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clvii-for-a-confessor-bishop)

The one freed by the bishop's pleading.

### [CLXI: The Month of Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clxi-the-month-of-mary)

Implied as the one who may be tempted by earthly sights and sin, warned of sin's heavy doom.

### [St. Philip in His God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clxvi-st-philip-in-his-god)

The one sought by Christ, whose heart is dreary and spirit lone, and who is weighed and given penance.

### [CLXXI: St. Philip in His School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clxxi-st-philip-in-his-school)

Souls that are sinning, whom St. Philip heals of their pride and blindness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/characters/sinner
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/characters