Chapter 17

Antonio begins his catechism lessons, about which he is so excited that Chapter 17 starts out with the words "Aleluya! Aleluya! Aleluya!" Adults around Antonio talk about the atomic bomb made to end the war, and blame on it the harsh winter and spring sandstorms, saying that the bomb is against God because it means that man is trying to know more than God himself. When Antonio asks his father about this theory, his father tells him it is nonsense. He blames the bad weather on men who have abused the land, and says that nature is trying to restore the balance and that "the wise man listens to the voice of the earth". Antonio continues his catechism lessons, hoping that some of his moral questions about what has recently happened will soon be answered.

Later, Florence and Antonio discuss the nature of sin before catechism class, and Florence questions why he can have a lifetime of it but then just confess at the end and still go to heaven. Antonio agrees that this doesn't seem fair. As the other boys in the gang come around, rough-housing and talking about a fight that happened the day before, the discussion turns to whether or not Protestants go to hell, and Florence replies that if you don't believe in God there's no hell to go to anyway. Antonio asks why, then, Florence still goes to catechism, if he doesn't believe in God. Florence tells them he comes just so he can be with his friends. When the boys ask Florence why he is an atheist, he tells them that his mother died when he was three, his father drank himself to death, and his sisters are "whores" at Rosie's. Antonio wonders if his brother Andrew has ever known one of Florence's sisters at Rosie's, and this make Antonio feel closer to Florence. Antonio suggests that maybe God puts obstacles in front of people to test their faith, and Florence argues that if God were as smart as everyones says, then why does he have a need to test people's faith, and why didn't he make people good? Florence questions why humankind should be punished for seeking knowledge in Eden, and Antonio wonders if his desire to seek knowledge makes him as bad as Adam and Eve, and he questions if the Golden Carp is a better god. Antonio wonders if maybe God comes in cycles, like the weather, and if maybe other gods -- like the Virgin Mary, or the Golden Carp --ruled in his absence. As he utters this thought, thinking it is blasphemy, the bell in the church tolls and a huge thunderclap sounds.

Because the two boys are late to catechism, Florence is punished by having to stand in the aisle of the church with his arms out; Antonio receives no punishment. As the boys pray, Antonio hears Bones next to him faking the prayer and mocking the priest's words. The priest explains the difference between a mortal sin and a venial sin, and tells his catechism class that if they die with a venial sin on their soul they will never get into heaven, going to purgatory instead, and that if they die with a mortal sin on their soul, they will burn forever in hell. He then goes on to tell them a story illustrating just how long eternity is. The magnitude of eternity in hell makes a huge impact on most of the class, but Florence still stands in the aisle with his arms raised, and Antonio thinks to himself that Florence must be unafraid of eternity.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you make of the symbolism in this chapter, i.e., the thunderclap at Antonio's moment of blasphemy and Florence standing in the aisle in the church with his arms outstretched in a way that suggests crucifiction?

2. Were you surprised when Antonio uttered his blashemy?Does it seem in character, and consistent with the story? Why or why not?