How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
It was somehow on that Sunday, a Sunday shortly before his birthday, that John first realized that this was the life awaiting him—realized it consciously, as something no longer far off, but imminent, coming closer day by day. (1.1.22)
When Ella Mae and Elisha are publicly reprimanded for getting too close to sexual temptation, John suddenly realizes that he, just like them, will be expected to grow up, get married, have children, and raise them in the church. The community is showing him, once again, an example of what is expected of him, regardless of what he wants or feels.
Quote #5
"You getting to be," she said, putting her hand beneath his chin and holding his face away from her, "a right big boy. You going to be a mighty fine man, you know that? Your mama's counting on you." (1.1.107)
Jeez, no pressure, right? Elizabeth is the only kind parent in the Grimes household, so when she tells John she expects him to grow up and be a "mighty fine man," he must feel like he wants to please her, not let her down. She tells him this on his fourteenth birthday; do you think it might contribute to his conversion later that day?
Quote #6
And this was the beginning of his life as a man. He was just past twenty-one; the century was not yet one year old. He moved into town, into the room that awaited him at the top of the house in which he worked, and he began to preach. He married Deborah in that same year. (2.2.17)
Switch gears; we're talking Gabriel now. Just like John, Gabriel becomes a man when the Lord saves him. When he converts he becomes an adult with a vengeance; he starts preaching, moves into town, and even gets married. Just as John knows that these things are expected of him, Gabriel seems to intuit it as well.