Faith

Faith is important in the novel. The characters are divided by whether they have faith or not. The Springers turn to the church when Harry leaves his family. They look to their faith for answers. Ruth does not have faith. She believes the people who go to church are hypocrites for they feel they can do whatever they want as long as they are in church on Sunday. Reverend Eccles says he believes in faith, but when confronted he cannot defend his faith. Harry makes him question what he believes and why he is a minister. Lucy Eccles is not religious. She does not understand how her husband can have faith especially when dealing with people like Harry who leave their families.

Love

Love is hard to find in this novel. The characters talk of love, but do not embrace it. Harry tells Janice that he loves her...