Arrowsmith Religion Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"God give me strength not to trust to God!" (26.2.3)

In his times of true despair, Martin wants more than anything not to turn to religion. That's why he asks God to give him the strength not to believe in God. But of course, you can see a bit of a contradiction here, since he's asking for help from someone he's not supposed to believe in.

Quote #8

If it was the intervention of the Lord […] had not the Lord surely sent him? (35.7.2)

The people of St. Hubert are convinced that Martin Arrowsmith was sent by God to save them. How else could they explain the fact that this guy showed up with a cure for the plague out of nowhere? According to this passage, people with religious minds will always interpret things as being part of a bigger Grand Plan.

Quote #9

[But] these acerbities made up the haircloth robe wherewith [Terry] defended a devotion to such holy work as no cowled monk ever knew. (39.1.36)

Once again, the book compares the pursuit of scientific truth to religious devotion. Terry Wickett is a disciple of science, just like Martin Arrowsmith and Max Gottlieb. But Terry seems to go even farther at times. He has absolutely no confusion about his devotion to science, while Martin can sometimes waffle between science and his marriage.