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James (JD) Dittes
This is such a great question. As a rhetorical question, it is near perfect because it made me go back and read the ending again. More carefully. They should put it on the book jacket, TBH.
But if there is an answer, I would say No. At the end of the festival, the church members are invited out the front door for a picnic. Pew goes out the back door. Annie, who expressed indifference to the mindset of the church, also goes out the back door. They go out into 'The World' where they are a mixture of everything: race, gender, ground, and sky.
The reader is reminded that Pew didn't exist before she awoke in the church. Her/his background is opaque--the word "uncertain" pops up multiple times in the last two pages. Pew exists as the church embraces then tries to define him/her, then Pew doesn't.
Writing as one who grew up in a Manichean, fundamentalist, Christian sect, I think I understand this. I didn't realize that I was defined by the sect until I left it. To members other than my family, I 'died' or 'disappeared' socially from the map and lifelong acquaintances acknowledge me only on the rare occasion that I visit the church--even those who live just down the street.
Pew doesn't need the church, and s/he doesn't seek the answers that the church is looking for. After the forgiveness festival, the church loses its need to 'look nice' and allows her to pass on.
But if there is an answer, I would say No. At the end of the festival, the church members are invited out the front door for a picnic. Pew goes out the back door. Annie, who expressed indifference to the mindset of the church, also goes out the back door. They go out into 'The World' where they are a mixture of everything: race, gender, ground, and sky.
The reader is reminded that Pew didn't exist before she awoke in the church. Her/his background is opaque--the word "uncertain" pops up multiple times in the last two pages. Pew exists as the church embraces then tries to define him/her, then Pew doesn't.
Writing as one who grew up in a Manichean, fundamentalist, Christian sect, I think I understand this. I didn't realize that I was defined by the sect until I left it. To members other than my family, I 'died' or 'disappeared' socially from the map and lifelong acquaintances acknowledge me only on the rare occasion that I visit the church--even those who live just down the street.
Pew doesn't need the church, and s/he doesn't seek the answers that the church is looking for. After the forgiveness festival, the church loses its need to 'look nice' and allows her to pass on.
Cynthia
This answer contains spoilers�
(view spoiler)
Nicole D.
not convinced of that but certainly a possibility
Penny
Far as I could tell, Per just peters out.
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