Storming Heaven

Many characters turn to religion as a source of guidance throughout the novel. In this community, Christianity is the most prominent religion, and most people practice Christianity to some degree. Rosa’s mother sends her a Catholic reliquary from Italy, and Rosa prays to it often. Albion is a “No Heller” preacher, who believes that even sinners can get to heaven. For Albion especially, his faith in God is what guides him to help organize the union and fight for coal miners’ rights. When Albion first begins going down into the mines, he sees a patch of mushrooms thriving despite the mines’ dark and dirty conditions and sees this as a sign that he is meant to be there. Later, when Carrie asks Albion to move back home to the Homeplace after his trial, Albion explains that it wouldn’t be right to turn his back on the men who are suffering.

While religion motivates Albion to stay and fight alongside the miners, Carrie often struggles with her faith in God. After Albion is arrested, she wonders:“[S]ometimes I thought it was a point of honor with God to abandon the faithful ones” (209), questioning why God lets bad things happen to good people.