Fate and Free Will Quotes in 'Salem's Lot

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

Joe Crane is given a left-handed gift from the gods… His death, which occurs at 6:51 PM, is the only natural death to occur in Jerusalem's Lot on October 6. (14.271)

The phrase "from the gods" sticks out in part because shortly before this, Father Callahan used the cross to blast apart the lock on the Marsten door. So, first the novel seems to believe in the Catholic Church; then it's talking about gods or fates. Sure, it's theologically confused, but no one's reading this novel for theology, anyway. (See "Symbols: Cross" for more.)