The Patron Saints of Nothing Novel by Randy Ribay

Table of Contents

Introduction
Religion Brings Peace to Jay
Religion Helps to Come to Terms with Juns Death
Religion as a Guide Throughout the Novel
Conclusion
Work Cited

Introduction

Religion and a church influence many aspects of human life and are integral to it. Faith helps people cope with social and psychological stress, calms them, and brings relief. The definition of spirituality is a controversial and complex issue that cannot be answered precisely. Religion ensures the fellowship of believers within a religious community or organization. In the Patron Saints of Nothing novel, religion is presented as contradictory, although there is a certain amount of truth. After all, light can not only show the way to a person but also blind them. Faith plays a significant role in the life of the protagonist Jay. When Jun dies, the protagonists head forms the image of a martyr who gave his life to atone for the sins of all human beings, just like Jesus Christ. In the novel, church and religion carry a positive meaning, even though faith has both a positive and a negative impact on a person. In the book, it works on the bright side because it brings peace to the protagonist, helps to come to terms with the death of cousin Jun, and plays the role of a guide throughout the novel.

Religion Brings Peace to Jay

Throughout the novel, there are many situations in which religious perception eases the protagonists suffering. The first manifestation of this statement occurs at the very beginning of the book when Jays puppy dies. One thing dies, and another is born (Ribay xiv). In his mothers words, such a religious concept as the ascension of the soul after death is veiled. Maybe the puppys soul now has wings (Ribay xiv). When the protagonist hears this, he calms down and stops crying, realizing that a better world awaits the puppy. The next instance of Jays appeasement occurs during a trip to church in the Word of God chapter, which contains much religion-related content. The protagonist describes this action as follows:

I didnt know what I thought about all of thatI still dontbut I actually liked the act of going to church. I found comfort; I found peace in those hushed Sunday mornings. The scents. The sunlight. Christmas, Lent, Easter. (Ribay 142)

The described feelings of the protagonist speak of how much warmth and relief church and religious events and holidays bring to him. A church atmosphere brings peace to a persons heart in a difficult situation. Even though doubts tear the main character, he finds peace and briefly throws off the chains that bind him. These feelings can be compared to repentance or even the souls ascension.

Religion Helps to Come to Terms with Juns Death

When Jay learns of Junes death from his fathers words, he asks a question about the funeral after doubting the truth of what he said. Later it turns out that Juns family does not consider his death part of a larger plan, unlike Jay, who sees in his cousin a martyr who died in the name of a great goal. Alas, later, he realizes the opposite and then feels confused, but the most important thing is that Jays first impression is just that:

Eventually, I feel myself drifting off to sleep. As I do, I think about how even though theres a lot I dont know; I do know it isnt right for Juns family to deny him a funeral. No matter how he died. No matter how he lived. (Ribay 18)

These thoughts describe Jay as a kind person who, as religion teaches, mourns the death of any person, despite their deeds. He does not accept that his close friend or relative will not be buried, as it benefits everyone. The biblical story about Isaacs binding helps him take one of the causes while investigating his friends death. Jay remembers while thinking about a father killing his son: Theres that story from the Bible where Abraham was ready to kill Isaac because God told him to and only didnt because God was like (Ribay 128). If not for religion, Jay would never have understood the death of his cousin and friend. Thus, metaphorically, the author helps to understand the mystery of Juns death not only to the protagonist but also the reader.

Religion as a Guide Throughout the Novel

Religion is integral to this novel since the works title has a religious message. Faith is essential to this novel since the works title has a spiritual message. The books title carries a mystery for a long time because the concept of a patron saint is not familiar to everyone. The exact meaning of the novels title is revealed after Jay reads Juns letter:

I smile to myself as I put the letter away. I rest my head against the window and close my eyes. I drift off to sleep thinking of my cousin and me, of humanity and its problems, of oceans and islands. I imagine both of us, patron saints of nothing (Ribay 311).

The concept of the patron saint of nothing can mean the characters uncertainty. It is a deep thought about finding his place in this world. Looking at the entire work, including all of Juns letters, one can conclude that faith and God accompany the characters throughout the plot. Even in the most seemingly ordinary situations: Eventually, the rain relents and then stops altogether a few moments later, as if God turned off the tap (Ribay 229). Spirituality is evident throughout the text, supporting the characters and giving them answers to questions.

Conclusion

Religion does play an essential role in the novel, supporting and appeasing the characters and helping Jay and others come to terms with the death of a person. As mentioned above, religious values form the work itself as such. This is confirmed by multiple citations, metaphors, references to the Bible, and the constant mention of God. In its structure and plot, the work resembles a biblical story in many aspects. Faith leads the hero forward throughout the novel on the narrow and dangerous path to truth. Without the introduction of spirituality into the fate of the main character by the author, it is difficult to imagine how Jay would have gone through all these hardships on the way to the truth.