Implementation of the Compensatory and Therapeutic Function of Religion in Fiction (based on William Paul Young’s “The Shack”)

The article explores the compensatory and therapeutic function of religion in fiction through the example of William Paul Young’s novel “The Shack”. The analysis is conducted from an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates theological, philosophical, and literary approaches. The central plotline of the novel revolves around the existential struggle of the protagonist, Mack, who undergoes profound spiritual and axiological despair following the loss of his child. The symbolic space of the novel, built on religious imagery and biblical references, provides a foundation for understanding pain, despair, and faith as interconnected elements of human existence. The author examines the literary text, which abounds in religious symbols and images, as a therapeutic tool that allows the reader, through empathizing with the characters, to reflect on their own experiences of suffering, discover pathways toward spiritual transformation, and restore trust in higher values. Particular attention is given to the triad of characters – Mack, Nan, and Missy – who symbolize struggle, trust, and love as key stages of the human spiritual journey. The article emphasizes the significance of such narratives in times of war, when a crisis of meaning and the loss of orientation necessitate the spiritual revitalization of individuals. It concludes that the synergy of the artistic and religious dimensions in literature holds potential for fostering spiritual resilience, where suffering is perceived as a space for encountering the transcendent, and the literary text serves as a medium for therapeutic catharsis and the restoration of life resources for communication and creativity.