The City of Churches, a short story by Donald Barthelme, tells the tale of a city that is built entirely out of churches. The protagonist is a man named Mr. Martin, who is the city's commissioner of public works. Mr. Martin is tasked with overseeing the construction of the city and ensuring that it is built according to plan.
At first, Mr. Martin is excited about the prospect of building a city out of churches. He sees it as a unique and ambitious project, and he is eager to be a part of it. However, as the construction of the city progresses, Mr. Martin begins to have doubts about the project. He starts to see the city as a strange and unsettling place, filled with strange and unsettling people.
One of the main themes of the story is the idea of religion and faith. The city is built entirely out of churches, and it is meant to be a place where people can come to worship and find spiritual enlightenment. However, Mr. Martin begins to question the value of religion and faith as he sees the city becoming more and more commercialized. He wonders whether the city is truly a place of spiritual enlightenment, or whether it is simply a place where people go to make a profit.
Another theme of the story is the idea of conformity and individuality. The city is built according to a strict plan, and everyone is expected to follow the rules and conform to the established order. However, Mr. Martin starts to see the city as a place where individuality is suppressed, and he begins to feel trapped and suffocated by the rigid structure of the city.
In the end, Mr. Martin decides to leave the city and start a new life elsewhere. He recognizes that the City of Churches is not the place for him, and he decides to pursue his own path and follow his own dreams.
Overall, The City of Churches is a thought-provoking and thought-provoking story that explores themes of religion, conformity, and individuality. It is a story that encourages readers to think about their own beliefs and values, and to consider whether they are truly living in a place that is meaningful and fulfilling.