How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #10
Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. I just came home from church. I loved the choir—the songs were so beautiful. Still, I didn't really feel you God. I'm trying hard to understand but I wish you'd help me a little. If only you could give a hint God. Which religion should I be? Sometimes I wish I'd been born one way or another. (15.5)
Every time Margaret goes to church or temple she's disappointed… and later on at home has a chat with God about it.
Quote #11
I've been looking for you God. I looked in temple. I looked in church. And today, I looked for you when I wanted to confess. But you weren't there. I didn't feel you at all. Not the way I do when I talked to you at night. Why God? Why do I only feel you when I'm alone? (19.57)
Margaret's frustration builds throughout the book. Everyone is telling her how important religion is, but every time she goes to a place of worship she feels no connection to God. It's only at home that she knows where to find him, though she never tells anybody about this.
Quote #12
Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. I'm so miserable! Everything is wrong. Absolutely everything! I guess this is my punishment for being a horrible person. I guess you think it's only fair for me to suffer after what I did to Laura. Isn't that right God? But I've always tried to do what you wanted. Really, I have. Please don't let them come God. Make something happen so I can go to Florida anyway. Please… (20.40)
There are many different ways to understand God, and here we see that Margaret believes in a God who punishes. Perhaps if she started by identifying the characteristics she understands God to possess, she might be better able to find the right religion for her.