QTT: Confessions of a Closet Catholic

Here are a few paragraphs from my Questioning the Text paper on Confessions of a Closet Catholic:

Throughout this book, Confessions of a Closet Catholic, Sarah Littman compares the two religions of Catholicism and Judaism. The main character, Justine, decides to give up being Jewish for Lent. At a time in her life when she wants to be seen as “normal,” does Justine choose to be Catholic because she wants to be accepted from the outside, or because she wants to be different from her family (the inside?) I chose this particular question because I grew up as the outsider. About 90 percent of my neighborhood was Jewish, and our house was one of only a few that had Christmas lights up outside over the holidays.

Right from the beginning, with page 4, Justine goes to her family and tells them that she wants to keep kosher. She compares her Bubbe’s practices with those of her own family, and rather than supporting her decision, they ridicule her, causing Justine to become slightly alienated from her beliefs. “Afterward, I decided if my family was going to make fun of me for trying to be Jewish, I might as well try something else” (p. 6). Is this a direct result of her family laughing at her? Or is it only a contributing factor in her decision?

When Jussy finally chooses to be Catholic, as opposed to any other religion, does she choose Catholicism because it seems the easiest or it seems to have the most perks? “We go to the movies and eat Chinese food along with the other Jewish families in town, but it’s hard when you know that 90 percent of the population is opening presents and drinking eggnog and you’re not” (p. 21). When Justine spends time at her friend Mac’s house, she feels more comfortable and at home than when she is at her own house. Mac seems to get along with her family and is comfortable talking about her religion. Does Mac’s “normal” family atmosphere vs. Jussy’s home atmosphere play a part in making one lifestyle seem easier than the other?

I also have to examine the parallel between Jussy’s two friends and their representation of religion in Jussy’s life. Shira is an old friend who is very observant of the Jewish traditional lifestyle. Meanwhile, Mac is a new friend that comes into the picture right before Jussy decides to investigate a new religion. Shira is also an old friend that stays constant throughout the book, especially at the end. Are Shira and Mac meant to be representations of “Jewish” and “Catholic?”