How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
On the afternoon of October 12, 1990, my twin brother Thomas entered the Three Rivers, Connecticut Public Library, retreated to one of the rear study carrels, and prayed to God the sacrifice he was about to commit would be deemed acceptable. (1.1)
The very first line of the novel sets us up for some religious turmoil. Unfortunately, we never get inside Thomas's head, because Dominick is the narrator. Could Thomas actually be hearing the voice of God? Would God want him to cut off his own hand?
Quote #2
If Thomas hadn't latched onto that Bible voodoo—that "if your right hand sinneth then cut it off" crap—then none of this would have happened. (3.31)
Quote #3
[Ma] taps her finger against Jesus' chest. When she moves the painting, you can see Jesus' heart on fire. (5.26)
Thomas learns a lot of his religious behavior from his mother, a person who finds this moving painting with Jesus' heart on fire to be beautiful and inspiring instead of, say, creepy and weird.