Faith

In the chapters entitled "Stockings" and "Church" faith is an obvious theme. For Henry Dobbins faith is more of a superstition and is about outward gestures rather than personal reflection. For example Henry tries to make up for his actions by giving the monks a can of peaches and chocolate. Henry also wants to "show" the world about his personal faith by being a monk, also an outward gesture.

Something interesting is that the author makes special note that Henry washes his hands and the monks call Henry "Soldier Jesus". At first I didn't understand why these two things were at all relevant in the book but perhaps it is an allusion to the bible. Henry is "washing his hands" so to speak of the atrocities that he has committed while in Vietnam, just like Pilate washed his hands after ordering Jesus to be crucified.

Directly opposite from Henry, Kiowa believes that faith is an inward gesture and it is extremely personal.

Maybe from these chapters we are the gather that faith is different to everyone, some express it outwardly by going to church, worshipping, and doing good deeds. While others of us believe faith is something so private and personal that we keep it in and have a personal relationship with a higher power.