Chapter 3

Steven Ellerby is a member of the swim team with Moby. His father is a preacher. Ellerby's brother was killed just as he was about to enter the seminary, leaving Ellerby to struggle with why God would take such a good person and leave others who are not as good. Ellerby and his father discuss this topic, and they go onto find a definition of religion that makes them both feel secure. Ellerby is described as a strong, confident young man, who proves himself to be a good friend to both Moby and Sarah.