As well as offering a structure for the novel, religious concerns dominate the content as John mulls over the expectations that he will follow his father, Gabriel’s calling and be a preacher. Throughout John’s story, a lot was expected from him; he was expected to live the holy life, to pour his soul into the religion and accept it as a part of his life, and most importantly, “everyone had always said that John would be a preacher when he grew up” (pg.1). All of these expectations from his family illustrate the societal pressure put on him in order to be that “perfect” son. John’s distaste of the idea of pursuing the same role as his father epitomizes the relationship between the two; the conflict has affected John’s relationship with his
