Ash444 I think I already provided with answer on the first one
2) How are readers positioned to view religion in Burial Rites (provide a thesis, topic sentence and quotes where possible to substantiate any claims you make)?
Religion is a multifaceted and influential aspect in the novel Burial Rites. Religion is depicted to possess the capacity to provide consolation and hope to characters, while simultaneously being a source of judgement and division.
Topic sentence 1 : Religion helps people navigate their life, by providing them consolation and hope.
Evidence 1 : Agnes seeks consolation in religion when she says, "God, if You save me, I will devote my life to You." This reflects her desire for redemption and her belief in the transformative power of faith.
Evidence 2: The bond between Margrét and Agnes strengthens through shared prayer, as Margrét prays for Agnes's soul: "She clasped my hand and prayed. Her prayers felt like a thread, binding me to this life."
Topic sentence 2 : Religion also serves as a source of judgment and division in the community
Evidence 1 : When the district commissioner Reverend Toti arrives, he is initially met with skepticism and suspicion due to his religious authority. Agnes notes, "Reverend Toti was not a man who had ever been welcomed. He was a man to be feared and judged, to be saved from or, at least, shielded from the gaze of."
Evidence 2 : The community's strong adherence to religious doctrine leads to judgment and condemnation of Agnes, who is seen as a sinful woman deserving of punishment. This is evident in the way the townspeople view her: "A murderer in my house. A murderer at my table. Eating my food."
Topic sentence 3 : Burial Rites illustrates the complex interplay between faith and power in the characters' lives and the broader society
Evidence 1 : As Agnes faces her impending execution, she takes solace in the rituals of her faith, praying and seeking spiritual guidance: "The small gestures of prayer lent a form to the formless."
Evidence 2 : However, religion is also used as a means of control by those in power. The authorities use Agnes's confession and her relationship with religion to maintain their grip on her fate, as evidenced by Reverend Toti's visit: "He will teach me and tell me how to die, and then I will be in the hands of the law."
you can play with synonyms and words to make your thesis better, but this is what I could think of for this one.
also sorry for the late responses
