Nolan intends her novels to be thoughtprovoking for readers who might be unfamiliar with the characters' conflicts. In this book, she treats people with mental illness respectfully. She develops Pap's character to show that he is a loving, kind, capable person even if he is not fully competent.

Pap's mental deficiencies do not make him a person that any of the other characters are afraid of or frightened by his actions. Instead, they feel protective toward Pap and want to comfort him and make his life easier. JP insists that people respect Pap's need to have the nativity on the roof or wherever he wants it placed. He also respects Pap's need to keep some of Grandma Mary's items safely hidden.

Similarly, the elderly are considered valuable members of the community. According to JP, the characters revere Grandma Mary as the family's matriarch both when she...