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Chapter 47
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Same Kind of Different as Me, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Slavery and Racism
Homelessness
Reconciliation
Christian Faith
Charity, Love, and Ego
Summary
Analysis
Ron continues his narration. On November 1, Deborah still survives and all of the doctors stop offering any predictions on when she might pass. In the morning, Deborah begins to convulse and continues for four hours, until a doctor gives her a sedative. Ron shakes his fist at God and begs him to stop her suffering.
Deborah’s suffering, though it has prompted Ron to cling to his faith, also tests it. This scene marks the beginnings of Ron’s greatest struggle with faith and his bitterness towards God.
Themes
The next morning, Denver arrives at the house again, stating that he is there to deliver a message from God. Denver tells Ron that God wants to take Deborah home but everyone is still holding onto her and praying for healing. According to Denver, God told him to carry on Deborah’s work, and now it is time to pray for Deborah’s passing. Together, Denver, Ron, and Carson pray and ask God to take Deborah from them. As they finish, Denver weeps and Ron realizes the full depth of Denver’s love for her.
The transition from everyone praying for Deborah’s healing to their praying for her passing is once again affirmed by their faith and belief that God is in control. Even their acceptance of Deborah’s death is framed and given meaning by faith, again demonstrating the capacity of Christian faith to form meaning out of pain and in the midst of tragedy.
Themes
