# How does One of Ours develop the theme of Religion and Hypocrisy?

> One of Ours by Willa Cather

## Answer

One of Ours by Willa Cather develops Religion and Hypocrisy across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Religious piety, embodied by characters like Brother Weldon and Enid Royce, is portrayed as restrictive, hypocritical, and emotionally cold. Claude's mother's devout faith offers comfort, but organized religion is shown as a tool for control and a barrier to genuine human connection.

Claude criticizes the Temple College's preachers as ineffective and questions his mother's faith in religious education.

Brother Weldon's piety is contrasted with Claude's scorn, and the Chapins' religious struggles highlight the gap between devout aspiration and actual inefficacy.

Claude critiques the faculty's faith as a substitute for manly qualities and rejects theological evasions.

## Evidence

- [iv](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iv.md): Claude criticizes the Temple College's preachers as ineffective and questions his mother's faith in religious education.
- [v](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/v.md): Brother Weldon's piety is contrasted with Claude's scorn, and the Chapins' religious struggles highlight the gap between devout aspiration and actual inefficacy.
- [vii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/vii.md): Claude critiques the faculty's faith as a substitute for manly qualities and rejects theological evasions.
- [xv](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/xv.md): Claude and his mother discuss sin, redemption, and the nature of faith, with Claude arguing that 'great sinners' are more interesting than the blameless, challenging conventional piety.
- [ii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ii.md): Enid worries about Claude's freethinking, while Claude admires women's faith as 'natural fragrance,' hinting at a superficial view of belief.
- [iii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/iii.md): Enid's earnest discussion of her missionary calling contrasts with Claude's perception of Brother Weldon's platitudes and lack of genuine guidance.
- [ix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ix.md): Mrs. Wheeler's traditional view of Paris as a wicked city clashes with her new concern for its fate, and Claude reflects on the irony of both Germans and French praying for victory.
- [i](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/i.md): Enid's Prohibition activism and modern methods are portrayed as fanatical and intrusive, contrasting with the natural, practical approach of neighbors like the Dawsons.

## Links

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