Considering the fact that Feathers is a story in which one of the main characters is known as Jesus Boy, it follows that readers should expect some religious and spiritual themes. Throughout the book, Frannie's friend Samantha wonders if Jesus Boy is the actual Jesus—you know, the guy from the Bible.
But Frannie doesn't really care about the actual Jesus. She's more interested in how Jesus Boy's arrival has made her rethink her ideas of friendship, compassion, and community. The fact that he shows up and challenges her to be a better person is enough of a spiritual awakening for Frannie; she doesn't need all of the church stuff to back it up.
Questions About Spirituality
- Why does Samantha think that Jesus Boy might be the real Jesus? What changes her mind?
- How does Frannie's idea of religion differ from that of Samantha's?
- What role does religion and spirituality play in Frannie's family life?
- How does Jesus Boy resemble the real Jesus from the Bible?
Chew on This
Church has nothing to do with knowing the difference between right and wrong, which is proven when Frannie and Jesus Boy are the only class members who help Trevor up when he's down.
When Frannie is outside and looking at the snow-covered town, she feels as close to a religious experience as Samantha does when she's in church.