“The Acolyte”

REVIEW by Ken Anderson

     Toni Brown’s short story “The Acolyte” is an unusual twist on an old familiar fairy tale, “Little Red Riding Hood.”  The story’s title “the Acolyte” refers to the protagonist of the story. Traditionally an “Acolyte” is a layperson in the church assisting the priest. They perform various duties including lighting and carrying candles, and other ceremonial functions. Acolytes are common in Episcopalian and Catholic services and often consist of young children. Brown sets her story in an Episcopalian Church.  The members of this church (who are apparently all related to each other) meet once a month on a special evening, each carrying a wrapped parcel of clothes. The acolyte is the last to enter the church and is responsible for locking the church doors. He is the “keeper” of the key due to his “genetic” difference from the rest of the group. The service begins with the female priest reading from an old book. The book recounts the story of the group’s family history and their patriarch father, “Grey-Back.”   The tale of “Grey-Back” is very familiar to the group and is recited at each ceremony. Slowly the reader discovers the secret of the group, and why the Acolyte locks them in the church one night every month.

      “The Acolyte” is problematic in both plot and characterization. Toni Brown provides an intriguing setting but the story’s plot is weak and lacks any action or conflict. The acolyte does not converse or interact with any of the characters. The plot provides no conflict or crisis for him to confront. He feebly express his fear and dread concerning his monthly duties, but does nothing to address or act upon those fears.  The acolyte and the priest are passive characters and provide little empathy. The plot lacks any climatic buildup (despite “transformation” ) and the two characters are mere shadows of the titles and functions they perform. The people that meet in the church occasionally grunt and howler in response to the priest, but we are not provided with any information about them or their lives. The characters in the story are not significant nor doe do they advance the plot. Overall, I was very disappointed with this story. The story skirts over important themes of religion, feminism, and sexism.  “The Acolyte” leaves the reader with a story that is weak and unresolved.