Sex and Sexual Depravity

Several characters in the story are highly focused on sex, and much of the focus is on deviant behavior and sexual depravity. There seem to be no healthy sexual attitudes in the entire book, and some of that can be traced back to Aloysius Garvey. Garvey is a pedophile, and he is interested only in young boys. He has a group of youngsters living with him at any given time whom he introduces them as his “nephews.” Most people do not believe there is any family relationship, but they do not confront Mr. Garvey regarding his sexual practices. Apostle York was living with Mr. Garvey as one of Garvey's “nephews.” Both Garvey and the former preacher abused York until he was apparently too old for their tastes. When York talked to Mary Greenfield about his time with Garvey, he pointed out that everyone...