Religion

Question 1

Quote 1:
“‘She seems sincere,’ Toti said. ‘I can tell you that she is not. You must apply the Lord’s word to her as a whip to a hard-mouthed horse.”

Answer 1

Argument:
Underscore how religion upholds society’s harsh approach to justice, allowing those in power dehumanize the accused and condemned.
Analysis:
- The simile comparing Agnes to a “hard-mouthed horse” dehumanises Agnes, reducing her to a stubborn, unmanageable animal that must be controlled throguh violence rather than person with dignity and feelings. This reflects his bias against Agnes as a woman and maidservant, emphasized by his imperative use of “must” to demand punitive action despite the uncertainty of her guilt.
- The use of the “Lord’s word” followed by the word “whip” connoting violence, punishment and control, suggests that Blöndal does not view religious instruction as a form of guidance or moral support but rather as a tool for discipline and punishment used to enforce societal control, leading readers to perceive religious instruction as harsh and severe.
- By dehumanizing Agnes through an animal simile and portraying her as subject to forceful and painful religious control, the author encourages readers to sympathize with her, and to view religion as a tool that supports a rigid and unjust society.

Question 2

Quote 2:
“Toti nodded, and slowly picked up the swan feather… “You mean to make an example of her”, he said quietly. “I mean to deliver God’s justice here on Earth,” Blondal replied, frowning… I do not have to explain my decisions to you, Reverend. I am not accountable to parish priests. I am accountable to Denmark. To the King.”

Answer 2

Argument:
Those in power manipulate religion to rationalize their actions, resulting in the use of individuals as tools to enforce control.
Analysis:
- “Example”- idea of using someone’s punishment as a public display to deter others from similar behaviour- Blöndal’s actions are not driven by a sincere commitment to delivering moral or divine justice but rather by a desire to use Agnes as a tool to reinforce societal control.
- “God’s Justice” – divine authority - Blondal uses religion to legitimise his harsh treatment of Agnes, shifting accountability away from personal or moral responsibility onto a higher, untouchable power. However, his immediate dismissal of accountability to Tóti as a religious figure exposes the hollow nature of this claim. His prioritization of secular authority over religious morality reveals that his appeal to “God’s justice” is a superficial tool to maintain power. This positions readers to view religion not as a force for compassion or redemption but as a mechanism used by those in power to justify cruelty and enforce rigid societal structures.

Question 3

Quote 3:
“We are all God’s children, he thought to himself. This woman is my sister in Jesus, and I, as her spiritual brother, must guide her home… “I will save her,” he whispered.”

Answer 3

Argument:
Reveals how religion can offer a lens to see beyond societal labels and allow people to perceive marginalized individuals with empathy and compassion.
Analysis:
- “God’s children”- reflects the Christian belief that every individual, regardless of their social status or personal history, is equal in the eyes of God. By invoking this idea, Tóti rejects the societal labels placed on Agnes, instead seeing her as part of the divine family. This belief challenges society’s tendency to reduce marginalised individuals to their actions or circumstances, highlighting how religion can promote a deeper understanding of others’ intrinsic worth.
- Tóti’s recognition of Agnes as “my sister in Jesus”, symbolising closeness, care, and shared identity, demonstrates how, through the lens of religion, Toti perceives Agnes as someone deserving of love, guidance, and salvation, just like anyone else, rather than seeing her as a product of her crimes.
- “Guide” – help and protection – underscores Toti’s belief that he can help Agnes find solace, not just in the physical sense, but in a spiritual one—bringing her closer to God or inner peace before her execution. This contrasts society’s rigid view of Agnes as irredeemable, showing how religion can offer a more compassionate and hopeful perspective, focused on redemption rather than judgment.

Final sentence - the power of faith to transcend the stigmatization imposed on individuals by society, allowing for a more compassionate and empathetic understanding of their humanity.

Question 4

Quote 3:
“I won’t let go of you. God is all around us, Agnes. I won’t ever let go. The woman looked up into the blank sky. The sudden sound of the first axe fall echoed throughout the valley.”

Answer 4

Argument:
Individuals can find spiritual solace not just in formal religious institional practices but also through their connections with the surrounding world.
Analysis:
- “all” - omnipresence and inclusivity - shifts the notion of divinity from something distant and unreachable into an immediate and enveloping force, reinforcing the idea that God’s presence is not confined to a distant heaven but permeates every part of existence, offering constant support. This broader sense of divine presence allows Agnes to feel less alone, even as the sound of the axe fall signals the end of her life.
- Contrasted with the word “blank” – emptiness or the absence of a clear divine sign - Agnes no longer needs to look upwards for spiritual intervention. Instead she can feel the closeness of God in her surroundings, strengthening her faith in a more intimate, personal way. Through Agnes’ relationship with Toti, she begins to realise that God’s presence is also reflected in the kindness and understanding of those around her. This invites readers to perceive religion not as an abstract concept, but as a living and tangible reality which is manifested through human connections and acts of compassion, emphasising the significance of relationships in enriching one’s spiritual journey.
- Repetition of “won’t let go” – reflects Toti’s unwavering support of Agnes and his commitment to always stand by her until the very end. The fact that Toti repeats this signifies his desire to reassure Agnes that her impact on him will endure beyond her circumstances. This is poignant because throguhout the novel, Agnes expresses her fear of being forgotten, having no legacy to remmebered by.