( 291 ) “Mom tells us to go to bed, she’ll be after us in a minute as soon as she climbs to the loft with Laman’s last cup of tea. We often fall asleep before she goes up but there are nights we hear them talking, grunting, moaning.” 

This development of Angela is interesting because she always put up with the behaviors of her husband ( drinking, losing jobs, etc ), and she comes off as a typical catholic Irishwoman. Her having relations with Laman impacts her as a mother, her children, and their financial situation. 

( 294 ) “He pushes the chair back from the table. He stumbles toward me and sticks his finger between my eyes. I’m telling you to shut your gob, scabby eyes.” 

This is when the relationship between Angela’s boyfriend and the children become tense. Francis later yells at Laman that he isn’t his father. Laman comes off as abusive to the boys and to Angela. 

Faith

( 343 ) Francis tells Father Gregory about the wrongs he’s done, and Father Gregory says he’s forgiven. Francis takes his catholic religion seriously as he gets further into his teen years. He feels guilty about his relationship with Theresa, his argument with his mother, and the things he’s done to get money to go to America.