Amen

Amen represents the end of a prayer, but it also symbolizes belief in that prayer. When Miriam begins questioning her faith, she sometimes refuses to say “Amen” because she does not fully believe the prayer.

I Will Never Hurt You

Samuel says, "I will never hurt you" to Miriam. The words are a symbol of his love toward her and his promise that he will control himself. Miriam uses these words as a mantra in the weeks after she witnesses her father beating a man, which becomes a symbol of her doubt that her father can and will control himself.

Holy Oil

Holy oil is a symbolic part of the healing process, demonstrating a connection between Biblical stories of anointing with oil and Samuel's efforts to heal. In this novel, the holy oil is only symbolic. It is actually bottled cooking oil that has been placed...