How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
She pulls her inner-layer sweater up to cover her neck, then her stretched-out sweater sleeve down over her doll-head fist, still covered by the sock, tucks it under her other arm, and then crosses both arms on her chest. (3.50)
It's like a baseball player spitting in his batting gloves in between pitches, or like a student using the same #2 pencil for every test. Pressia is performing a ritual here.
Quote #2
"Because what I said was the truth. Shadow History. This isn't." (5.65)
For Bradwell, Shadow History is what he believes in. That's right, you can put faith into history too.
Quote #3
"Thats probably what they pray for. Hope." (17.244)
Again, you don't need to be religious to pray. The simple act of praying for hope is how many of the wretches are able to survive; without hope, their spirits could be crushed.
Quote #4
"The Dome is good. It watches over us like the benevolent eye of God." (30.52)
Psssh, yeah right. Preaching spirituality doesn't always work, folks. Especially if it's in favor of a corrupt regime.
Quote #5
He's dealing in dangerous ideas, throwing around God and sin to benefit the powerful because he wants to be more powerful. (30.53)
Pressia makes a pretty good point: just because you can throw around words like God and religion, that doesn't make what you're saying good. In fact, Ingership is just trying to manipulate her.
Quote #6
Her doll-head fist, already blackened by ash, stares at her. She used to talk to it when she was little, and she was sure that the doll understood her. (36.7)
This is nothing short of spiritualizing her doll. Oftentimes loneliness can be cured by giving human qualities to an object.
Quote #7
"Saint Wi," she whispers, as if it's the beginning of a prayer. And what does she want to pray for? (36.7)
You don't need to be religious to pray to God or a Saint. Sometimes you just need to put faith into something.
Quote #8
"Is she still a saint? She cheated on your father," Pressia says. "She had a child out of wedlock, a bastard." (40.13)
So what's the real difference between Saint in the religious context, and Saint in a non-religious context? And does it even matter?
Quote #9
Always walk in the light. Follow your soul. May it have wings. You are my guiding star, like the one that rose in the east and guided the Wise Men. (40.26)
Spiritual guidance can sometimes invoke a greater hope than other inspirations. "Follow your soul" is not only motivational, but can instill confidence. If only Aribelle had just spelled out the riddle to Partridge a little more.
Quote #10
Pressia thinks of Saint Wi and Bradwell there in the crypt, kneeling before the small statue behind the cracked plexiglas. Hope. (53.29)
Yup, Bradwell was actually religiously spiritual. But let's all just take a moment to understand what spirituality means for the characters: it's a way to create hope, faith, and confidence.