Theme: Religion Flashcards
From start it is communicated how religion is important to him by what he does upon his arrival home
“I glanced out the kitchen window at the steeples of St Jude’s Church”
“Later, I light a candle in St Jude’s Church”
Compares Nicole to a Saint
“The pale purity of her face reminded me of the statue of St Therese”
Francis’ instinct to recite names in a religious way is very ingrained in him, even when he doesn’t want to
“every night the recitation begins, like a litany”
Feels disproportional guilt for what he did, even if it was nowhere near as bad as what Larry did, and takes his ‘sins’ very seriously
“glad for the heat that was so relentless, as if it was part of the hell that I had earned”
“as if all my sins had been revealed and there was no forgiveness for them”
When in emotional turmoil seeks to be closer to heaven as a comfort and escape
“the stars closer than I’d ever seen them”
Sin of not seeing life for the gift it actually is is what stops him from jumping. His strong religious beliefs save him from suicide.
“…stopped, horrified at what I was doing. Saying a prayer before committing the worst sin of all: despair”
Francis takes other people’s sins as seriously as his own
“Maybe your sins catching up to you”
Larry shows acceptance of his own sins, the polar opposite to Francis
“Everybody sins Francis. The terrible thing is that we love our sins. We love the thing that makes us evil.”
Line Francis has rehearsed for years to say to Larry. Idea of repenting for sins.
“Say your prayers”
Francis is very focused on his own wrongdoings and his conscience tells him when he’s done something wrong
“I wonder if it’s a special sin to lie to a nun”
“Still lying, but this time not to a nun”
Could represent closure and leaving his religious past
“I leave Sister Mathilde and the convent behind”
Finds lying easier by the end. Could, along with leaving the convent behind, show him gradually separating himself from religion and previous beliefs about sinning
“‘Promise,’ I answer, although I know that I will never keep that promise”
