Chapter 3

Response #1:

The third chapter of "Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit" goes into more detail on Jeanette's upbringing in the religious setting and examines the dynamics of power and control that influence her young life. As it demonstrates the depth of Jeanette's brainwashing and the loss of her individuality, this chapter had a significant impact on me. The portrayal of the church and its impact on the community is one part of this chapter that really stood out to me. The church is shown by Winterson as a site of both devotion and fear in a realistic way. The pastor's strict limits, the passionate prayers, and the description of the sermons all contribute to the oppressive setting. The church serves as the community's core authority, enforcing its teachings and beliefs on everyone in the neighborhood, including Jeanette and her mother. Within the religious community, the position of power held by the church acts as a motivator for the suppression of individualism and critical thought. The church is presented in Chapter 3 of "Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit" as a powerful force, and the dynamics of power and control are explored. This chapter helps us to understand Jeanette's upbringing in the religious society. As Jeanette struggles with her desires and the demands placed on her, an analysis of her relationship with her mother emphasizes the internal problems she experiences.

Response #2:

The church location is significant in Chapter 3 of "Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit," as it serves to emphasize the repressive nature of the religious group and its effects on the people. The religious environment becomes an example of authority, consistency, and the oppressiveness of individualism. One scene in particular illustrates the relevance of the environment when Jeanette goes to church and hears her mother preach. Winterson writes, "The church was large and heavy, full of stone and silence, and I liked the way it wrapped around you and made you feel small and holy" (pg. 35). This explanation emphasizes how dominant and repressive the religious environment is. Words like "large," "heavy," "stone," and "silence" produce an environment that is uncomfortable on a physical and emotional level. The design and setting of the church add to the feeling of restriction and isolation that penetrates its interior. The characters' limited viewpoints and the point of view problem are also reflected in the location. Inside the church, Jeanette and the other members of the church are restricted to a solitary, religiously prescribed worldview. The religious environment turns into a miniature representation of the greater cultural norms and expectations that around them.