Hanging by a thread (The Shivering)-Jacob Smith

Faith is a common outlet for a number of victims of both physical and psychological violence. I have never read a novel centered in a setting that is in wartime or stricken with violence and not have faith arise as an issue. And it is a difficult one. While some don't need someone or something to provide reason for violence, others can't seem to cope without it. Adichie covers both sides of the issue in The Shivering. While Ukamaka doesn't necessarily represents a lack or absence of faith in God, it is made clear in the beginning of the story that she doesn't immediately cling to it like Chinedu does. She interprets his prayers as "incomprehensible words in the middle of a Hail Mary" (144). It's almost like a white noise to her. While it is true that she states that she has some form of connection with God, she still questions it through the middle of Chinedu's praying and asks "Was it God?" (144). So while Ukamaka seems to want to find some way to put more faith in the idea of God's existence, she is clearly apprehensive in taking that step. Her struggle with understanding God's reasoning is a common theme and leads to her directly challenging Chinedu's faith. For me, this is the most striking moment in the story. Ukamaka asks how it is possible that God is responsible for Udenna's safety. If that holds true, then it must also be true that God is responsible for the death of the passengers on the plane and God has some favoritism. While Chinedu seems to hold firm in his beliefs in God, I feel that this is when his own uncertainty starts to show through. He constantly tries to use the logic of God is not human and his methods should be interpreted as such. He doesn't seem to take to kindly to his faith being challenged either. It can be seen when Ukamaka describes church as a facade, like "when you become an adult you realize that the man in that Father Christmas costume is actually your neighbor from down the street," Chinedu clearly takes offense (152). But it seems strange that he would take such great offense from this, while someone like Father Patrick could simply shrug it off and offer a humorous analogy to justify himself. Why should Chinedu be so defensive while a man of the faith can simply take a similar argument in stride? While Chinedu's internal struggle with religious faith is never explicitly stated, there is a direct reference to his conflict with his feelings for a former love, Abidemi. While Chinedu thought he was sure in Abidemi's interest in him, there was clearly a struggle coping with Abidemi's betrayal. While this only stays within the confines of a flashback, I dare say there is a parallel drawn between a conflicted view of love in people and in God. He can't seem to interpret how human love works, whether it is within the context of his relationship with Abidemi or Ukamaka's with Udenna. But he does have a firm faith in God's love simply because it is not human. And yet Ukamaka still finds something "exceedingly fragile" about it (165).