Christianity In The 1950s

As everyone knows, the 1950s is a decade when America is possessed by the glorious period of religion, especially the Christianity. Basically, the principle and concept of Christianity are focused on the love of human life, particularly love and relationship between male and female. Thus, in the intense period of glorious religion, the homosexuality is a prohibition which cannot be expressed through the eyes of the world not only because of the abnormality in the society, but in the religious beliefs as well. Therese, the homosexual protagonist, is the person who is possessed by the concept of Christianity not only as the citizen of America, but as the student in the semi-religious school, Episcopalian as well. Certainly, even if she is not
The white tissue had become limp and crackle-less like ancient cloth, and still she had not worn the gloves. Finally, they were too small to wear.
(Carol. 1952: 14)
Therese did not tell her that the school was semi-religious, Episcopalian. She did not mention Sister Alicia whom she adored and thought of so often… Sister Alicia had been thrust far away, far below the woman who sat opposite her.
(Carol. 1952: 49)
From the example, it can be interpreted that Sister Alicia represents as the representative of religion who is embedded in the thought of Therese for a very long time of her life. Likewise, the green gloves that Sister Alicia gives to her represents as a concept and idea of Christianity which is given to Therese as well. In bible, it can be stated that green is the color which symbolizes as the fertility that always appears in the context of nature. Besides, the term of fertility is not only represented as the sense of fruitfulness in the nature, but it also can be stated as the ability of women to give birth to the child. It means that the green gloves can be implied as the concept of Christianity which relates to the way of God that guides Therese to the heterosexual
Finally, they were too small to wear.” Moreover, the importance of religion also cannot go through Therese's mind after she encounters with Carol who changes her life forever, from the text, “Sister Alicia had been thrust far away, far below the woman who sat opposite her.” So, it is obviously to state that the sexual identity of Therese is hidden by the concepts of Christianity which against the homosexual relationships through the symbolism such as green gloves and Sister