Religion is a prominent theme in the novel. The Reverend is one of the few positive male figures in the novel. Though Ruth’s approach to religion is circumspect, she admires the Reverend for his consistent kindness. Moreover, he is one of the only people who does not value Matt more highly than Ruth. Thus, his behavior is consistent with her sermons on such famous beatitudes as “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (226).

Ruth’s relationship to religion evolves as she matures. When she is a young girl, she expects Jesus to come for Christmas, thinking to herself, “I wanted the baby Jesus to come in the worst way, with his curds and honey, choosing the good, refusing the evil” (55). Eventually, she comes to believe that Jesus is a symbol, and that “the Rev was merely telling stories that were designed to make us behave” (227). Ruth’s Aunt Sid is instrumental in Ruth’s understanding of Jesus as a myth and a symbol. Aunt Sid herself characterizes Jesus as “a celebration of life” (56).