Emotional Intelligence and the Concept of God in BETWEEN THE CRACKS

Emotional Intelligence and Concept of God in the novel BETWEEN THE CRACKS

By Carmela Cattuti, author of BETWEEN THE CRACKS

                When the 1908 Mt. Etna eruption devastated Messina, Sicily, thousands immigrated fully expecting to return, rebuild their homes, and resume their lives. Franco, one of the characters in BETWEEN THE CRACKS, has no intention of returning to live in Sicily. He is ensconced in America and what his new country has to offer an ambitious young man. Franco strives to do the best he can with what he has.  When he marries, he owns several houses and has money in the bank. His job is secure and he values the work he performs; he thinks things through.  As soon as he could afford it, he moves his family to a town along the Hudson River.

                Many took the journey across the Atlantic arriving at Ellis Island exhausted and anxious. They had hopes and dreams, but no practical plans on how to achieve their intentions. Franco arrived in the U.S. at age twelve with little education. Like many immigrants he was scorned at first, but through his innate intelligence and fortitude he became successful in the new world. He had a developed emotional intelligence that he could access in his personal and business dealings. Angela, the main character in the novel, integrates emotional intelligence with a spirituality that transcends organized religion. Early 20^th century European Catholicism imprisoned the immigrant in roles that were no longer beneficial or functional in the new world. Most of these concepts were viewed as antiquated by American standards.

                Angela and Frank were forward thinking in terms of religion and the idea of a deity. Franco’s life experience forced him to confront the church and the concept of God and he declares that God does not exist for him. Angela experiences unseen energies that to her are benevolent and support her through difficult times. She also believes fervently in the healing attributes of the Virgin Mary and lights candles in her honor. The God of religion seldom plays a part in her worship, nor does Jesus Christ. Today’s modern new age religion would call that “Goddess Worship.” Through their releasing of traditional religious beliefs they were able to confront adversity with strength, not through victimhood. When she and Franco encounter illness Angela never prays to God, she calls upon her “unseen friends” and Mary for assistance. Franco never prays for a job, he looks for one through his connections.

                Immigrants like Franco and Angela were part of the development of independent thinking in the new world. Many religions today would consider them heretics and they would not be welcome in many homes. They had the fortitude to allow their views to mature even if it meant traversing unknown territory or thinking differently than the immigrant community. Their views were cultivated through embracing life’s challenges and joyful experiences not through distancing themselves from life. In the novel, we can see that the next generation lacks the fortitude and vision to continue to create the reality Franco and Angela conceived.