One of the themes in the novel is the ebb and flow of Shell and other characters' religious convictions. What prompts Shell to lose her faith? How does she regain it? What happens to Father Rose for him to begin to doubt his church, and his faith? Does he regain his faith? Why or why not? How does Joe Talent deal with his faith? What does this say about the role faith plays in the lives of these characters?

In the novel, two young women are impregnated. One attempts to be responsible, but does so without education, while the other chooses instead to abandon her child. In both cases, a lack of information and options causes the death of the child. How are these two situations similar? How are they differ? Since in the end, both children die, is there a difference in the...