Persistence

A theme running through this book is persistence. Persistence can also be considered self-discipline. Many of the characters in this book are persistent, from the workers all the way up to those commissioning the work. This is an impressive feat, considering how long the cathedral in the story had been under construction.

The workmen at the site are persistent in their work, constantly working long days and six days a week with minimal amounts of breaks. Whether they are so hard-working because they care about the dome project or simply because they need the money is not known. What the author does show through his detailed description is how physically demanding many of the jobs are. Other jobs require both knowledge, training, as well as physical strength and agility. Through all this gruesome and grueling work, the masons and other workers press on.

The workers are not the...