Sunset Limited Religion Quotes

How we cite our quotes: In consultation with my editor, we decided (against standard practice) to go with page numbers—since The Sunset Limited is one long act and it would be unwieldy and impractical to number all the lines.

Quote #10

WHITE: […] Show me a religion that prepares one for death. For nothingness. There's a church I might enter. Yours prepares one only for more life. For dreams and illusions and lies… You tell me that my brother is my salvation? My salvation? Well then damn him. Damn him in every shape and form and guise. Do I see myself in him? Yes. I do. And what I see sickens me. Do you understand me? Can you understand me? (138)

White wants his brother damned because he thinks life itself is a kind of disease that must be stopped—if love for other people will keep him stuck in life, he wants them condemned.

Quote #11

BLACK: That's all right. That's all right. If you never speak again you know I'll keep your word. You know I will. You know I'm good for it.

He lifts his head.

BLACK: Is that okay? Is that okay? (142-143)

Black ends by telling God he'll still obey him and keep his word. When he asks if that's okay, it's like he's asking if there's something else he might need to do, something he hasn't thought of, some key he's missing.