The Representation of Religion and Spirituality in the Diviners Alexandra Bayer 12th Grade

Religion has long since swayed people’s decisions and determined their fates. In The Diviners by Margaret Laurence, religion and spirituality play a large role in the characters’ lives. The outcome of every situation is dictated in some way by religion. This is demonstrated through parent-child relationships, romantic and sexual relationships, and deaths. Parents are perhaps the most influential force on a child’s spirituality, and begin the cycle of events affected by religion.

Religion is passed down from parent to child, changing the way the children think and feel. This is demonstrated through Brooke and his father; Gus Winkler and his children; Christie and Morag; and Pique and her parents. Brooke was punished differently than most, as a child, because of his father’s occupation and beliefs. Brooke says, “My father was Headmaster of a boys’ school not far from Calcutta. Church of England school.” (Laurence, p. 157) Brooke’s father believes strongly in the word of the Lord, and when Brooke did wrong in his eyes, he was punished severely, leading Brooke to turn away from his father and those beliefs. Eva and Vernon Winkler, Morag’s neighbors, were abused by their father. As Morag witnesses, “Gus has a stick in his hand and...