Instructor Forum Response to Godless
Thank you folks for a thoughtful round of comments looking at Godless.
Some interesting provocative comments that have come up before was about how likable Jason was as a character and whether or not Jason showed any character development over the course of the book.
One thought-provoking question was about characters needing to be likable to be relevant to readers. For readers to connect with a character does one have to “like” them on some level? This was an interesting insight in terms of how we commonly read. If we do not feel for a certain character we are likely not going to feel as invested in a particular story.
The important other side of the coin though is that what makes one character likeable for one reader does not necessarily resonate with another. A couple of students generally point out that they read Jason to be a disinterested, apathetic character who seemed unfeeling. I can understand this interpretation. That said, many of folks argue the other side and discuss how pressured and misunderstood Jason seemed to be. One semester I noted that I found it interesting that we were almost an entirely female dominated course and several of my female students (one in particular) truly despised Jason as a character and found him morally abhorrent; yet ironically in my most recent semester this past fall I had again all female students in the course and this issue did not come up again. So truly reactions vary from semester to semester, and individual to individual. I asked students who found Jason completely inaccessible if there was any possibility that on some level they had trouble accessing or making sense of Hautman’s depiction of a troubled teenage boy who rejects the religion his parents immersed him in and fantasies about a fellow female friend because they could not imagine themselves as him. Could part of this be that they struggled to see themselves in his shoes? How and to what degree we suspend our disbelief or allow ourselves to step into the role of a main character is a provocative process.
It is a question that we want to tread lightly on and around, but thinking about how much we are or are not able to enter into our protagonist’s journey might deeply influence how we feel about the reading as a whole. Our own narratives shape how we interpret other narratives. And yes, often we are obviously as readers going to understand characters best that we feel most mirror ourselves. Many critics analyze Jason as a well-developed character rich with both weaknesses and strengths. And I would argue that I always have a good number of student readers who find Jason to be multi-faceted and not necessarily that offensive. So this seems to be much more of a variety of student reactions than something with more of a gut gender reaction. I’ve been pleased to see folks working to study Jason with as open eyes as possible. We do not have to like all of our protagonists!
Certainly we do see from Jason a lack of carefully explored emotions and at times he does come across as apathetic. This is perhaps exactly what Hautman is going for. If Jason is not immediately likeable that does not necessarily mean he is not a true or valid character. He is a teenager struggling with a lack of motivation in his life, eager to find some kind of purpose to work towards and oddly enough he uses the created religion of Chutengodianism as a distraction from his ordinary life. He invests energy in this “cult of sorts because it is a means of escape for him. If he is disinterested and apathetic then he is perhaps in those quite like many other teenagers who have been labeled as such.
In the forums one line refers to Jason as disrespectful, lustful, willful, disobedient, crude, thoughtless, and selfish. I can see how a case could be made for all of the above items certainly in regardless to Jason's behavior at times. I would likely argue though that those qualities are not that uncommon and I might also make a case for him as a creative strong-willed individualistic character. In truth we all have lustful, thoughtless, and selfish moments over the course of our lives., and one might claim that this validates our humanity rather than invalidates it. Humans are inherently “flawed” and some of the most unsettling characters we read about are often deeply flawed as well.
Jason’s character development is not as pronounced as in other books which in many ways makes sense. Jason is a teenage boy at the beginning of this novel living in a small town and at the end of the book he is still, physically and geographically, very much where he was when the book started. Steve Harmon endures being on trial for murder and being ultimately released. Leon/Leib Leyson survives the Holocaust and writers his memoir as an older man looking back over his early life. Elva Hart approaches her childhood also through the lens of adulthood like Leib. Finally Hazel loses Augustus after his battle with cancer.
One could argue that all of the above events, including in some cases a significant passage of time, paves the way for more clear concrete development than we might find with characters in less dramatic circumstances who have not fully moved beyond a period of time yet. Yes we do see through Jason’s story less of that heroic plot where the archetype emerges at the end of the tale transformed. This however might be the best depiction of what is most common for the average readers throughout the bulk of our lives. We are constantly in a state of evolution of some kind, but the actual arch of it is not always significant or notable to the outside eye.
We emerge from certain summers, or winters of our life a little different than we were before. We have not necessarily been transformed, but we are perhaps a little more at home in our skin, a little more aware of what we do not want or cannot have. I see Jason’s character developing when he goes to check on Shin, when he realizes that Shin is scaling the water tower and he calls the police to rescue him, and when he stays true to his lack of belief instead of agreeing with his father to merely pacify him. By the end of the novel Jason still does not know who he is exactly, but he is a bit more at peace with himself and with his current stasis as a nonbeliver not yet sure of what he feels pulled to believe in. Not all books have tidy conclusions or characters that have been transformed.
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Below is a really interesting NoveList guide tackling some of these questions about Jason Bock and the book as a whole. It’s a good read: take a look in particular at the questions about how Hautman develops Jason’s character, how Jason and his father come to an understanding about religion, and why Shin is important to the plot.
What does Jason mean when he says he is serious about his religion without believing in it?
Jason says, "I don't have to be a believer to be serious about my religion" (p. 90). Although he creates Chutengodianism, he does not believe that the water tower is really a god. He approaches his new religion as a thought-experiment, asking people why it can't be true. He pushes the adults around him, such as his father and Just Al, to explore and explain their own beliefs. By insisting on the validity of his religion, Jason implicitly questions the origins of all religions, especially Catholicism.
A former altar boy, Jason has come to believe Catholicism is "mostly made up" (p. 37). The idea that religion — or at least religious ritual — is constructed by humans, rather than inspired by a Supreme Being, intrigues Jason and inspires him to create his own rules and ceremonies. By calling himself pope and claiming that he is being persecuted as the early Christians were, Jason draws parallels between Catholicism and his own religion
Although Jason takes his religion seriously, carefully considering his beliefs and manipulating his followers, he never believes that the water tower is god, and he is baffled when he realizes Shin has become devout. Jason had assumed that Shin had been approaching Chutengodianism in a similar spirit of disbelief. When he sees the harm that comes to his friend, Jason realizes, in creating a religion he does not believe to be true, he has the all the drawbacks of a religion without any of the benefits. At the end of the book, Jason says, "I have Chutengodianism — a religion with no church, no money, and only one member. I have a religion, but I have no faith" (p. 198). Jason longs for a faith of his own, but he has not yet found one.
Why is the water tower plausible as an object of worship?
The water tower's size and placement give it significance; it is an impressive structure that overlooks the town. The tower, like a cathedral, is tall and imposing. The people of the town depend on water for their existence, and their pipes link them to the tower. As Jason puts it,
Think about it: What is the source of all life? Water. Where does water come from? Water towers. What is the tallest structure in most towns? The water tower. What makes more sense — to worship a water tower or to worship an invisible, impalpable, formless entity that no one has seen since Moses. (p. 19)
Shin goes on to become captivated by towers in general; his drawings show water towers and other towers that seem almost human.
Water and the ocean play an important role in many creation stories. Shin's Sacred Text, which begins "In the beginning was the Ocean. And the Ocean was alone" (p. 1), echoes both John 1:1 ("In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God") and Genesis 1:1-2 ("In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters"). By using sonorous, pseudobiblical language, Shin gives legitimacy to the idea of worshipping a water tower.
How do Jason and his father come to an understanding about religion?
At first, Jason's father sees religion as something he can impose upon his son. Jason attends the Teen Power Outreach meetings after his father discovers one of his drawings: a picture of the scantily clad "Bustella, the Sirian Goddess of Techno War." Jason's father hopes the youth group will have a wholesome effect on his son. As Jason puts it, "My father believes in brainwashing. He's a lawyer. He thinks you can argue anybody into anything" (p. 15).
Jason's father tries to talk with him about religion throughout the story. At first Jason refuses to discuss it, but then he infuriates his father by insisting that Catholicism is similar to Chutengodianism because "It's all made up anyway" (p. 145). As punishment, Jason's father gives him five Christian books to read and review. Jason tries to read them, but finds he cannot get past the first pages.
In their final conversation about religion, Jason and his father come to an understanding. Jason reveals that he has not written a single book report because all the books "require a belief in a supreme being. If you don't believe in God, then the books don't mean much" (p. 191). Jason's father is saddened that Jason rejects Catholicism, but he finally decides to let Jason choose for himself. The "level" look he gives his son shows they are at last equals, and Jason is free to make his own religious choices. By the end of the book, Jason is even able to say, "I envy my father, too. I envy his unshakable belief in the Catholic Church — his faith gives him power and contentment" (p. 198). Both father and son understand each other better, even if they do not share the same religious beliefs.
How does Hautman develop Jason's character? Is Jason sympathetic?
Jason is a round character with both sympathetic and unsympathetic traits. He is creative, intelligent teenager who does not hesitate to question the adults around him. From the beginning, the author show Jason's vivid imagination through the fantasy sequences; when Jason gets bored or fears he may be in trouble, he imagines himself a spy ("Bock. J. Bock"), a ninja, and a Saharan wanderer. He likes drawing and creates characters of his own (such as Bustella), as well as comic book worlds with Shin. His imagination serves him well when he decides to create his own religion.
Jason has a less likable side, however. In his sullen exchanges with his parents, he shows that he is reluctant to take responsibility for his actions, even though he has put himself and others in danger. Jason's friendship with Shin also shows his less sympathetic side. Jason is ambivalent about Shin and, when there are others nearby, often wants to distance himself from his friend. When Henry arrives at the water tower, Jason suddenly finds Shin's presence embarrassing and admits, "There are times?when I wish Shin was not who he is" (p. 7). Jason tries to help Shin by creating a rope ladder to help him climb the water tower, but Jason becomes frustrated when even that is not enough. Jason ultimately proves his loyalty to Shin by climbing the water tower during a thunderstorm to save him. When Jason calls the police, he does it to save his friend's life, even though he knows he will get in trouble.
Jason also displays integrity by staying true to himself, even when that course is difficult. He declines to take Communion because he is not a believer, despite the fact that his refusal angers his father. Jason refuses to placate his father by reading Catholic books. His father and Just Al may find his arguments about religion blasphemous, but Jason is not content to accept beliefs in a facile or unquestioning way. At the end of the book, when asked if he is an atheist, Jason says, "I'm not sure what I am" (p. 194). He leaves open the possibility of finding a religion he can accept, but he knows he has not found one yet.
What is the social hierarchy among Jason and his friends? How does Jason attempt to influence it?
Both Jason and Shin are outsiders in the high school hierarchy. Shin does not seem to notice or care, but Jason wishes he had more influence over others, especially Magda. Henry, on the other hand, has followers from the beginning: three "lesser juvenile delinquents," who are only too happy to take orders from him.
When Jason starts his new religion, he automatically assumes a leadership role and makes himself Founder and Head Kahuna. At first, others turn to him to find out more about the rules of the religion. Jason gets to bestow titles, and he dubs Magda the High Priestess, Henry the High Priest, and Shin the First Keeper of the Sacred Text. Jason hopes to use his new status to attract Magda.
As the religion attracts more people, however, Henry begins to assert his power. After Henry falls off the water tower, he preempts Jason by creating commandments, and he even gets one of his followers to paint a commandment ("Don't be a wuss") on the side of the water tower. After the schism, Henry leads the "Choots," and Magda joins him. By the end of the book, Magda is dating Henry, and the only follower Jason has left is Shin.
How do the trips to the water tower structure the book?
Jason's repeated trips to the water tower show his shifting alliances. When the book opens, Jason and Shin are collecting snails by the water tower, and Jason is following Shin's lead because Shin is the expert on snails. This trip brings the two boys into conflict with Henry Stagg and his followers. When Henry punches Jason and knocks him to the ground, Jason looks up at the tower and becomes inspired to start his religion. Later, Jason discovers Henry knows how to climb the tower. In exchange for letting Henry join the church and giving him a position of power, Henry takes Jason up. This trip shows that Jason is willing to trade power for information, and he is willing to go without Shin even though he knows Shin will be upset. When Jason attempts to placate Shin by taking him up, he becomes frustrated when his friend freezes and cannot climb.
The celebration of mass assembles the entire "church" — with the exception of Shin — for a ritual that at first brings them closer, as they illicitly climb the tower and swim inside; later, however, it splits them apart. When Henry falls off the water tower and the teenagers are arrested, most of the church members are punished and grounded, forbidden to associate with Jason. Henry takes advantage of this distance to start his own splinter group.
On the final trip to the water tower, as on the first one, Jason again follows Shin. This time, however, the trip is far more dangerous; instead of hunting snails below, Shin climbs the tower in an attempt to commune with the Ten-Legged One during a thunderstorm. Shin's actions show Jason how mentally unstable his friend has become. This time, Shin depends on Jason, who ultimately saves him.
How is Shin important to the book?
Jason is ambivalent about his friendship with Shin; he enjoys hanging out, but Shin frequently embarrasses him in front of others. Shin has a habit of freezing when scared, and does not think to change into something besides his X-Men pajamas when he sneaks out to join the others for midnight mass.
Shin represents people who can become completely consumed by religion. At the beginning of the book, Jason describes Shin's obsession with snails:
Shin does nothing halfway. . . . As for the snails, I have known Shin to spend hours with his forehead pressed to the glass, watching them. He says that to really understand something, you have to become whatever it is you are studying. He says he knows exactly how it feels to be a snail. (p. 24)
Shin has a tendency to become absorbed in his passion of the moment. Once Jason creates Chutengodianism, Shin abandons his snails and devotes himself to the religion, writing the Sacred Text and drawing detailed pictures of water towers.
By the end of the book, Jason has taken responsibility for Shin's breakdown. He says, "It was all my fault. Bringing Chutengodianism to Shin was like giving a can of gasoline to a pyromaniac" (p. 172). However, Jason's indictment of himself seems a bit strong considering he and Shin have created fantasy worlds before, including the comic book they created when they were both ten. It is important, though, that Jason has learned that he has influence over others, and that the choices he makes have repercussions.
NoveList Young Adult Book Discussion Guide
NoveList/EBSCO Publishing © 2005
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Let's take a look at a few insightful excerpts from students:
From Autumn:
For instance, Jason again describes the tower when he goes on top of it with Henry noting the slope of the tank comparing it to a “metal ball”, the hatch and brass padlock a bit from him, the warning light consistently flashing, and the horizon view from the top (60-61). I believe that the reasons for these details being so vivid is has to do with understanding the imagination Jason has about it being God. These details portray every detail because it is essential for seeing it as a God, everything must be known about it, measured, as Shin did, and visualized as being an all-powerful stature by pointing out what makes it a huge and intimidating symbol. Even describing the inside of the tank was significant, the platform the ladder, and the sheer hugeness of the inside (116) is all part of feelings of a greater than human structure, something not entirely understood even after explaining every detail. Therefore, I believe that the detailed descriptions about the water tower are notable for their ability to make the tower seem like a great and mysterious source, that it is huge, beyond control, and does so much for so many. It is from these details that Jason makes the religion possible.
From Kaylee:
It is a parallel example of how subjective being "god" is. Shin is "God" to the gastropods, simply because he has taken control of their lives. They survived before Shin adopted them, but since he's created a "universe of gastropods within four glass walls" (24) he's took over the duty of supreme power. They don't necessary fathom his role in their lives, but nevertheless, without his care, they wouldn't survive in their glass universe. "I am this great and shadowy figure -- pods don't see much beyond light and dark. I am like a cloud that comes and goes. . . I am the Pod God" (25).This illustrates the idea that religion and God are very flexible. As Shin finds "God" in the water tower, the pods find "God" in him. It creates complexity -- who is the true "God" then? Does the ten-legged God rule over the snails then too?
Shin's undeniably obsessive. This is evident in his thorough care for his pods and also in the way that he becomes engrossed in CTG. Eventually, the latter begins to draw his attention away from pods and he neglects them. I think this is a metaphor for what happens to people when them become too involved with religion. They spend so much time trying to please their God that they relinquish, to some extent, control of their own lives. They do things to please their God and because it is asked of them, without necessarily evaluating if it's what they actually want to do. Shin's passion for the pods wanes as his interest in the ten-legged God rises; he loses himself.
From Jessica L:
As I have a very strong belief in my own faith, it was pretty odd for me to read the first half of this book, godless. It was odd, but interesting as well. The thoughts that Jason has are pretty amazing. It’s fun to read the ideas that he comes up with!
From the beginning of the book, I could tell that Jason was one to stand out, he didn’t like to go with the flow. To me, Jason’s parents seem rather strict and controlling, especially his father. Jason says, “Every Sunday, without fail, he drags me to mass at the Church of the Good Shepherd. In my opinion, he’s a borderline religious fanatic” (14). Because of this, I believe creating the Chutengodian religion was a way to rebel, to be different. Jason then explains the Teen Power Outreach meetings that his father had signed him up for as a “weekly brainwashing session for teenagers” and “… just a bunch of pointless yakking” (15). Going to meetings like this is quite the opposite of what normal teenagers want to be doing, especially Jason.
The hounding about Catholicism that Jason has received from his father, and the one conversation that Al and his father have been driving him farther into his new religion. Jason finds out that Al had talked to his father about their TPO meetings, which are supposed to be confidential. Jason says with frustration, “Well I think that sucks. I don’t know how he expects us to be open and honest when he’s going to repeat everything we say to our parents” (103). I think that Jason feels disrespected. He is obviously frustrated with his parents, and I believe this was a very important conversation. This also driving him forward into the development of Chutengodians.
Sense Jason has been controlled most of his life and forced to go to mass every Sunday, creating his own religion is a form of control for himself. He can make the rules and be in charge, invite the people he wanted, and decide when his “mass” would be. With that said, I believe, climbing the top of the water tower is also a form of control for Jason. Besides control, climbing the tower is almost an in for the religion, once you climb the god, then the god accepts you. Jason wants to prove to the others, especially Henry that he is capable of climbing their god. While explaining a possible prayer option to Henry, Jason says, “… ‘Blessed are the climbers: for theirs is the kingdom of water” (95). I believe that Jason truly thinks that if you climb the water tower, that you will be blessed. Even though he was only giving this as an example prayer for Henry, I’m sure this is what he truly believes.
Jason wants to be in charge, something that he hasn’t been able to do his whole life. Creating the Chutengodian religion will certainly make him in charge, which is what he wants.
From Amanda:
I agree with you; Jason is very creative. I believe that is why I also had a hard time reading this book at the beginning, but things became much clearer as I read the entire book. Until reading your post, I didn’t think of the point you made in regard to Jason’s parents being strict and controlling. I rationalized his behavior as a result of him questioning his religion of Catholicism. I felt that this was the main basis of his actions. While I still feel this to be true, I also believe that you are correct that his parents being strict caused him to rebel a little. Catholicism is a very structured religion as well. Thus, his parents being strict, along with the discipline of Catholicism, I believe he found himself questioning and exploring other ideas. Being raised a Catholic myself I can relate. I also went through some similar soul searching and I am no longer a Catholic. I consider myself as having a very strong faith in God however.
I think that Jason became obsessed with creating the religion of Chutengodians for many reasons. First, he is a teenager. He is at a stage in his life where he is figuring himself out and part of that includes what he believes in regard to his religion. He wants to know why one religion is better than another and why one is correct. Also, as you pointed out, he is rebelling against his parents and forming his new religion is a way, in his mind, to really prove a point to them. Additionally, he truly is struggling with religion itself. I think it is harder for Jason to understand religion at this point in his life because he wants to have all of the answers in order to believe. Through his discussions he has trouble getting all of the answers he is searching for. He wishes for someone to prove to him that these things he’s being taught are real and not just made up. Jason’s father admits to him, “When I was young I too had doubts. There were even a few years while I was in college that I hardly went to church at all. I looked at other religions. I even called myself an agnostic for a time” (144). His father’s statement just further shows that is normal to question one’s religion and many people do at a point in their lives.
Even though Jason was searching for answers, not everything can be answered. It also takes time to learn anything in life, religion isn’t excluded from this. I read a quote on K-Loves Facebook page that I found very fitting to this point. It said, “Holy means that God is alive on God’s terms, alive in a way that exceeds our experience and imagination.” I believe that Jason was beginning to learn this. Near the end of the book Shin made a comment to him that stuck with him. Shin had said, “You can’t really understand something until you believe in it” (197). Jason at that point thought that he wouldn’t be able to believe in Catholicism or any other religion if he didn’t have faith.
While Jason struggled with his faith, I don’t believe he actually believed the water tower was a God. I think the idea of worshiping the water tower did prove that he believed there was a God though. Jason’s father asked him, “You don’t really think that the water tower is God, do you” (144)? Jason responded, “No” (144). I’m not sure I believe there is a ton of meaning behind him having to climb the water tower. I think this goal was simply that of a teenager. It was a daring act and the fact that Henry did it before him intrigued him. I think because it was risky and it was challenging he felt inclined to make this a goal. Truthfully, I just feel this goal fit in well with his imaginary worshiping of the water tower.
From Shawn:
The relationship Jason and Shin have in Godless alters over the course of the book going from a friendship were Jason looks passed some of Shins shortcomings to eventually stranding his "best friend" while ascending the Ten-legged one. In the beginning of the book while talking about Shin Jason says, "Inevitably, we became best friends" (7). after explaining how the two collaborated on a developing a comic book in their youth. Although Jason does point out some of Shin's features that embarrass him as evidenced by saying, "There are times, though, when I wish Shin was not who he is. his interest in invertebrates, for instance, can be embarrassing at times" (7). he still treats him like the friend he had known for years. Jason tells Shin of his "better than a cult" idea and even appoints him as the "First Keeper of the Sacred Text." As the book develops further Jason and Shin's relationship becomes tenser as Shin starts to take being a Chutengodian more seriously than Jason. Shin even claims "I was channeling the Ten-legged one" (51). after Jason confronts him about him acting differently at a meeting with the group at Wigglesworth's. Jason's thoughts following the reply when he thinks to himself "At least, I think he's making a joke" (51). shows the difference in sincerity the two have regarding the water tower. Shin becomes upset with Jason after he climbs the tower not only without him, with a person Shin despises and then even goes on to invite Henry to climb the tower with the rest of the Chutengodians. Shin seems to be mainly upset that Jason would invite Henry to worship with them when "He's not even serious... It's Just a joke to him." (98) Without any dialogue between the two, Jason leaves Shin behind as they climb the tower and when he arrives at the top Magda asks him where Shin is and he lies by replying "He told me to go on up. He said he wanted me to leave him alone a while" (109). showing that despite years of friendship somehow things have progressed to the point that he is willing to leave his clearly frightened friend alone in the darkness.
From Meri:
“The reason I’m going on about Henry Stagg and snails is because that particular incident was a turning point in my life—one of those magic moments where suddenly the way you see the world changes forever. That’s the other reason I didn’t jump up and pound the crap out of the little monkey: I was busy having a religious experience.
I was flat on my back looking up past Henry at the silver, dripping bottom of the water tower tank, my head still scrambled, when it hit me just how important that tower was to St. Andrew Valley. It was the biggest thing in town. Water from that tower was piped to every home and business for miles around. The water connected all of us. It kept us alive. That was when I came up with the idea of the water tower being God.
“Water is Life,” I said, staring up at its silver magnificence” (14-15).
Even though Jason describes how valuable the Water Tower is to St. Andrew’s Valley and later explains this in further detail to Shin, I don’t think the Water Tower’s importance to the town is why Jason chose it as his new God. I think Jason chose the Water Tower simply because it what was there at that particular moment in time. Nevertheless, as Jason’s new religion grows and includes more people, I think Jason’s beliefs become more serious and concrete. His interest in satire is mentioned in your question and I think the idea of the Water Tower as God was initially meant as a joke. As Chutengodianism grows however, I think it serves as an escape from Catholicism and an experiment in finding a religion that might suit him. Jason is agnostic going on atheist but I believe as Chutengodianism was taken more seriously and he began to create rules, he became more of an atheist because he finally felt comfortable exploring a religion.
But religion cannot be controlled, it can only be regulated. With any religion comes interpretation and sometimes that interpretation can go to either extreme. Followers can defect. Was Satan not once one of God’s angels? Henry Stagg serves as Jason’s Satan, which is ironic as Henry was the disciple intent on having a Hell for the religion. This new idea eventually leads to them breaking into the Water Tower and swimming in it, almost being unable to get out and Henry falling off into what they all thought must be his undeniable death. However, Henry survives by hitting the catwalk, but sustains serious injuries. Despite this though, he continues to make plans and is able to persuade his own followers to vandalize the Water Tower, despite all of them facing legal trouble. By then, the religion has already grown beyond Jason’s control. Something good does come from all this, however. Jason’s Dad finally accepts him for who he is and encourages him to explore his own beliefs, releasing him from any forced commitment to Catholicism and the church. I think this was the final step in Jason becoming agnostic as opposed to atheist. He was given the freedom to be what he chose and free him it did. At the end of the book he says, “Maybe someday I can find something to believe in but until then my God is made of metal and rust” (208). Notice how in the end he reveals that he does indeed have a God? I think Chutengodianism transformed Jason into an actual agnostic.
From Hannah:
In response to question 2) The book is an unconventional one. At first we might view Jason as a bit of a disinterested apathetic character with an interest in satire. What did you make of Jason choosing the water tower to worship? Later as his story progresses and his religion grows to include more people, what happens to Jason's beliefs? Is he the same nonbeliever as ever or has something major changed in him? Finally, has he started something he cannot control?
I like this book. I thought it was funny and clever that Jason picked the water tower to be his "god." It is strange in the sense that a water tower is clearly not a god and he seems to pick the idea out at random but in the context of Jason being a creative teenage boy that is frustrated with his parents religion and wants to make a point, I think it makes perfect sense he would create this religion. I think he wanted to show the religious people in his life how futile he views their religious customs and beliefs. In the beginning of the book you start to see how he views his parents religion, he says, "my father frets over my soul. Every Sunday, without fail, he drags me to mass at the Church of the Good Shepherd. In my opinion, he's a borderline religious fanatic." (14) and "Next thing I knew he'd signed me up for Teen Power Outreach, better known as TPO, a weekly brainwashing session for teenagers held every Thursday night in the church basement." (14-15) and "I look to my left, at my Father. His lips and jaw are set in a determinedly attentive mask, but his eyes are drooping. I'm not the only one who's heard this sermon before. I lean forwards and look past him at my mother ... Do they really think that attending mass will make them better, or happier, or save them from an eternity of hellfire? Maybe they do. But there is something like ten thousand religions in the world. What makes them think they happen to have been born into the right one?" (33-34) I think Jason sees all religions as having been made up by someone at some point because they suited that persons needs and desires. If there is one true religion I think he is doubtful that he could ever find it. So he says, "Why mess around with Catholicism when you can have your own customized religion? All you need is a disciple or two. And a god." (18)
I think from the beginning Jason does not believe the water tower is an all powerful God. He uses it as a symbol to illustrate the futility of his parents religion and so far in the book I haven't seen him move from that position. He and his friends are getting more and more involved in the creation of their religion but he is grounded in reality too and it's just a game or symbol to him. This is clear because as he sees Shin getting more and more serious about their religion he seems almost concerned about him. Concerned that Shin is loosing touch with reality and starting actually believe in the Ten-legged One. About half way through the book he says, "Same thing with water towers and God. I don't have to be a believer to be serious about my religion." (90) It is interesting to me though that while he knows he made it up he still lets it influence his behavior. He is not just serious about his religion in a philosophical way or in preaching to his followers he actually stops himself from doing something he wants to and normally would have done because, "the Ten-legged One would not approve."(69) In this instance he is walking home in the heat from the gas station with a heavy can of gas. He realizes that he is not going to need all the gas he got so to help himself out and not have to carry such a heavy load he could just dump some down the drain. But he thinks about his god and he doesn't do it.
Lastly I absolutely think Jason has started something he can't control. He may be completely in control of how he thinks and feels about the Ten-legged One but his friends and followers are a different story entirely! Shin is already a concern and taking this religion farther than I think Jason ever envisioned really. He has no control over how far the others run with this religion even if at some point he gets bored and wants to move on. The group has started to grow pretty quickly and they are already engaging in a dangerous activity by climbing the water tower. Now I know teens generally tend to do some reckless and dangerous things, and that personally as a teen I would have been the first one up that water tower, I've always had a major thing for heights and climbing, but not everyone in their religion would have done that on their own. Most of them would have probably never had the idea or backed out had someone suggested it just for fun. But because it is part of their religion now they are willing to do things that otherwise would have stayed off the table entirely.
From Kelsea:
I like this question, (Do a brief character sketch of Jason's parents and talk about how we view Jason in light of their beliefs, behaviors, and actions) because it relates to how Jason's parents beliefs shape him throughout the book and how his personal decisions stem from their beliefs and actions. A lot of who I was as a teen and who I am as an adult are based on the religious notions my parents forced me to be a part of or listen to or attend.) Jason's mother is always picking at Jason, thinking that there must be something wrong with him at all times based off of his (normal) teenage behaviors. She even does this with her husband, constantly trying to diagnose diseases that aren't present. Jason explains that "she has this enormous book describing every illness known to man...she reads it the way some people read the Bible" (12). This is important, because Jason's mom didn't go to medical school, but she believes in the book she is reading and thinks she can use it to tell people about themselves.
Similarly, Jason's dad is a devout Catholic and he believes that his religion and the religious books he reads are true. He tries to tell Jason how to live his life, and tells him what to believe in. This is very limiting to someone as intelligent as Jason. He doesn't like the religious TPO meetings he is forced to go to, and he is always sarcastic to the others there, and shares his agnostic opinions often. This is where he first creates the idea of forming a new religion, and mentions the 10-legged one, scaring Just Al. I think the oppression he feels in his home and his religious groups are what first sparked the idea of creating a new religion in the first place. He doesn't understand why he must be Catholic if he doesn't believe in Catholicism. His dad mentions to him about what Just Al had been discussing in the meetings, and they laughed off the thing about the "10-legged god." Eventually, everyone in town finds out about the Chutengodian religion after their swimming escapade. His parents are furious, and his dad makes him read a bunch of boring, religious books. He explains to his son that he once questioned his faith when he was in college. He says "I even called myself agnostic for a time," (144) and then laughs it off. The religious books he gives Jason are a punishment, and Jason must read them and write book reports on them. I think if they wanted to have Jason believe in their religion, they shouldn't have pushed it on him as hard. I can relate with everything Jason speaks about in his religious experiences, and I found much of my teen self in Jason. It is natural to reject your parents and their ideals when you are in your teen years, and to push their beliefs harder is what made Jason pull away harder and form his own religion. Of course, it was all meant to be a joke, but Jason's dad pointed out that Jason's friends listen to what he has to say, and they follow what he preaches. Jason doesn't understand the power and repercussions of this because he is too young.
And let's look at a few questions from the second round of Godless forums:
When Jason fights for Chutengodianism what might you argue he is really fighting for?
From Arian:
Jason is fighting for his independence and individuality. He doesn’t understand why certain things make him feel the way he does and at the same time others feel differently. If Jason was apathetic he would stay home and play video games or tend to his parents and societies expectations and bidding without questioning. Jason is discovering that there is more to life than just his circle of friends and his father’s religion. He makes a few poor choices, he is pushing the limits of his comfort zone, not standing back while the world rushes on around him. Jason is fighting for the right to make his own decisions and not be judged so harshly by those around him.
At one point in the story his father is discussing his beliefs with him, “My father sighed and sat back and said, ‘You think you’re an atheist then?’ ‘I’m not sure what I am.’ He looked at me for a long time then. [. . .] ‘I’m sorry to hear that Jason.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Because it means you’ve got a long, lonely road ahead of you.’ ‘It’s my road’ (194).
It is true that the way he is choosing to go about things has a direct side effect of judgment by others. This is sometimes part of the process of breaking free. His lack of understanding as to why those around him care so much about his choices; Shin, the police, his father, show that he has justified his actions as opposed to blatantly and mindlessly rebelling. He is not attempting to get attention or push people away that care about him, instead he is hacking his own path out of the worlds mind boggling jungle.
Unfortunately he finds himself in a few situations where group think gets the better of him. When he and some of his fellow Chutengodians climb the water tower, they choose to dive into the tank. Jason knows this is wrong and he is the last one to give in. “People will surprise you. You never know what dumbass thing they’re going to do next. I pull off my shoes and toss them through the hatch. [. . .] I hang my legs over the edge of the platform, take a breath, and push off into space. Sometimes even I surprise me” (116). Jason’s father is right, he is facing an uphill battle. He will be alone in many of his choices and discoveries. He is beginning the transformation from the caterpillar to the butterfly.
From Stevie:
Jason really doesn't know what to believe in. There are so many different religions and beliefs out there; who knows what the true belief is really. I think Jason fights for Chutengodianism because he is truly fighting for believing in what he wants. He was pushed all his life into Christianity, and that's not what he wants. He wants the right to believe in anything. “Being catholic is hard. Being ex-Catholic is even harder” (115). Jason just doesn’t feel like religion is important to him. He doesn’t understand it, so he can’t believe in it. He gets fed up with his parent’s beliefs and everyone else’s so he decides to invent his own religion. “According to Father Haynes, if nonbeliever takes Holy Communion, he’ll be damned for all eternity. Of course, being a nonbeliever dams me anyway, so I suppose it doesn’t really matter, but I figure it’s safer not to partake. Just in case I’m wrong about the whole God thing” (113). Being forced into something makes you reject it. That is what happens with a lot of young kids who are forced into something such as going to church and believing in a religion. I think that everyone should be able to decide what they believe in. No one should be forced into believing in a religion that they are unsure of.
Worshipping the water tower may seem far-fetched but it does make sense. “Hey, if the water tower is god, what’s the devil?” “I don’t think the Chutengodians have a devil” (67). I find this quote interesting because I don’t think you have to necessarily have evil in order for good to exist. This questions if they require each other in order to exist. Who knows? But that is what is so cool about creating your own religion; you don’t have to meet certain requirements in order to believe in it. “I envy my father, too. I envy his unshakeable belief in the Catholic Church- his faith gives him power and contentment” (51). This gives an insight into how Jason feels about his father and his beliefs. He sees how the religion has impacted his father, and wishes to feel that way one day. I think that is why he might be fighting for Chutengodianism. He wants to feel what his father feels about a religion. To feel content and have faith is very important to most people. To find something to believe in is what gives you that faith, whether it be God or a water tower.
Towards the end of the book Shin notably says to Jason this about Chutengodianism, "How can you understand something you don't believe in" (192). Reflect on the larger meaning of this statement and whether or not it rings true to you. Can we understand that which we don't believe?
From Andrea:
Faith is an interesting dichotomy. In the book, Godless by Pete Hautman, Shin states, “How can you understand something you don’t believe in” (192). The converse is also true, how can you believe in something you don’t understand. This is important to Shin throughout the book. When talking to Henry about what they are doing, Shin states that he and Jason are working on a science project. “Shin just said that because he thinks science is sacred. He invokes science as if it were the name of God” (7). Shin spends much of the duration of the novel working on quantifying the water towers. He first begins by taking measurements by, “Applying the principles of trigonometry” (27). Shin’s need for understanding is evident in his writing of Genesis, “…the first Book of the Sacred Text” (80). Shin uses information and prior knowledge to create a belief system based on understanding and history. Jason recognizes the need for understanding when he realized he doesn’t know enough about his new religion. “After that, I refuse to speak further of the Ten-legged one-mostly because I don't know anything” (18). Knowing and understanding is important in our society.
Shin is not the only person in Jason’s life for whom knowledge is important. Jason uses his dad’s profession as proof of that when he says, “My father believes in brainwashing. He’s a lawyer. He thinks you can argue anybody into anything” (15). When things get out of control, Jason’s dad hopes that by making Jason learn more about the Catholic faith he will become a believer and thus brings him books and states, “Since you’re so interested in theology, you might want to read these” (145). This is definitely the belief that understanding can lead to faith that is prevalent in the world. For many seeing is believing. And like Thomas, in The Bible, until we can touch and see, we cannot believe. “Then he [Jesus] said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe’” (John 10:27) At the beginning of Hautman’s novel, Shin, Jason, and his father all present understanding as the basis of belief.
During the course of the novel, things begin to change for each of these characters. Jason begins to understand that believing is different from being religious and/or serious. When thinking about the water towers and God, he states, “I don’t have to be a believer to be serous about my religion. Shin, on the other hand, is starting to base his understanding on his beliefs. Hautman foreshadows this when, using a deep voice, Shin says to Magda, “Do not mock that which you do not understand” (43). It becomes quite clear when, while waiting out the storm inside the water tower, Shin discusses the properties of the water towers. “I [Jason] just listened. Listened as my best friend told me the ‘truth’ about water towers. I had not realized, you see, that the ocean was a conscious entity, or that the towers could walk” (181). Shin’s belief becomes cemented in our minds when he tells Jason, “It’s quite a burden, you know, being chosen” (182). Belief has become Shin’s basis for understanding.
Jason explores this with his dad when he points out, when discussing the theology books, that, “They all require a belief in a supreme being. If you don’t believe in God, then the books don’t mean much” (193). Jason’s dad realizes the futility in trying to use understanding to make his son believe, that faith starts with belief not understanding, when he declares, “You’re sixteen, old enough to make your own choices. I’m not going to force anything on you” (194). All three characters have now come to believe as Shin does, that, “How can you understand something you don’t believe in” (192). Faith is based on belief. In the spiritual realm, understanding comes from belief and not the converse, as in science, where belief comes from understanding.
Why does Jason seem to have a lack of empathy for Shin, perhaps becoming most noticeable at first when Shin freezes on the ladder Jason especially made for him so he could climb the tower? No person is every completely self-absorbed or self-serving; there is almost always something under the surface propelling a character to behave the way he or she does. Unwrap this a bit? Why does Jason distance himself from Shin and seem to not care, and does this continue or do we see him on occasion try to find some way to reconnect with Shin? No person is every completely self-absorbed or self-serving; there is almost always something under the surface propelling a character to behave the way he or she does. Unwrap this a bit?
From Tia:
I think Jason starts to have a lack of empathy for Shin, becoming most noticeable at first when Shin freezes on the ladder Jason especially made for him to climb the tower because Shin is an embarrassment to Jason in front of not only Henry but also Magda. "I'm going down to talk to him." Magda heads down the ladder. Jason says, "Some Head Kahuna I am, leaving my High Priestess to deal with my wayward keeper. But the fact is, I'm furious with shin. I went to all the trouble of making that ladder for him, and he freezes up on me. It's embarrassing! As far as I'm concerned, he can stay there the rest of his life."
I think that Jason continues to act the way he does about the Chutengodianism and toward Shin because of Henry. Henry seems interested in the religion and is nice to Jason so Jason keeps going with the religion until things have been taken too far. As far as Shin is concerned I think Jason continues to distance himself from Shin because of Henry's comments and thoughts of Shin. The fact that Shin has embarrassed Jason in front of not only Henry and Magda makes Jason mad so that is why he continues to distance himself and not care about Shin. I think on occasion even though it causes more issues Jason try's to find a way to reconnect with Shin. For example at the end of the book when Shin's mom comes home and Jason is there and Shin is on the roof. "Peter!" she shrieks again. "What are you doing?" "It's okay, Mrs. Schinner," I say. "He's got a rope tied to him." She whirls on me. "You! What are you doing here?" "Nothing! I just--" She is looking up again. "Peter. You get down from there right now!" Shin, his hands shaking, is untying the rope. Mrs. Schinner turns back on me, hair whipping across her face. "You put him up to this, Jason." "He was up there when I got here!" "Leave." This just shows that even though Jason is not supposed to leave the house and clearly Mrs. Schinner wants him nowhere near Shin Jason still steps outside of boundaries and tries to make contact with Shin.