Religion is just as much a part of people's cultures as food and customs, and as a cultural melting pot, New York is home to many different ethno-cultural neighborhoods, restaurants of every origin, and myriad places of worship. The Golem and the Jinni hits a religious trifecta of late 19th-century beliefs in New York City: The Golem is closely intertwined with Jewish folklore, the Jinni lives in the Christian community of Little Syria, and Mahmoud Saleh is Muslim. After all, you can't have a melting pot without all the ingredients.
Questions About Religion
- Why do the Rabbi and Michael have a falling out over religious differences? Why can't the Rabbi accept his nephew's decision?
- Does the Jinni convince Arbeely to question his faith, or is Arbeely set in his ways? How can you tell?
- Why does the Jinni question religion when he himself is a supernatural creature?
- Would Michael and the Golem's marriage have been different if Michael were a religious man? Why or why not?