How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"From the book of Obadiah," Reverend Bolick said, and began reading. "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the cleft of the rock, whose habitation is high, that saith in his heart, who shall bring me down."
Harris smiled. "I believe the right reverend is addressing us." (17.48-49)
He's a clever one, that Reverend. He knows how to use his sermons to make a dig at Pemberton and Harris. Can you blame him? They are disrupting his service, and they never attend. Yet it also shows us how snarky and righteous some religious practices can be.
Quote #8
Still others carried Bibles and read them with great attentiveness to show they were not blackguards or reds but Godly men. Some bore tattered pieces of paper testifying to their talent and reliability as loggers or discharge papers for military service, and all brought with them stories of hungry children and siblings, sick parents and sick wives that Campbell listened to with sympathy, though how much such stories influenced his choices none of the workers could discern. (21.1)
The Great Depression is in full swing, so we expect a bunch of people to be out of work. What's interesting about this passage, though, is the fact that so many of them use the Bible as a way of showing off. It's like saying, "hey you can trust me, I have a Bible." We're not sure if it works, but enough people are doing it for it to be a trend.
Quote #9
"Makes you think God glances this way every once in a while." (35.14)
When the workers learn that Rachel and Jacob got to safety, one of them comments that God must be watching out for them. Sure, we can get behind that. But then what about others who die? Does that mean God isn't looking out for them? Seems like a pretty dreary belief system if that's the case.