Religion as an Oppressive Force

Quatro’s novel depicts religion as an oppressive force, with harsh, unforgiving prohibitions that leave religious followers like Margaret feeling as though she has been trapped her entire life. The most apparent use of this theme in the novel lies in Maggie’s personal awakening and meditation titled Fire Sermon in Chapter Three. In this section, Maggie explores a chronological list of sexual experiences she remembers having and concludes that it is religion that has controlled most of her life. She admits that she loathes God (162) and that she is filled with anger for how God’s manipulations control his followers. She accuses God of creating a world filled with temptation and misery only so that, in their pain and suffering, people will flock to him in worship and obedience (190). And she feels the oppressive force that comes with her obedience. She...