Lying Awake Analysis

Mark Salzman’s “Lying Awake” chronicles the life of Sister John of the Cross, a Carmelite nun living in a Los Angeles monastery. Salzman depicts Sister John’s struggle to connect with God in during the late 20th century, and in detailing the activities of her and her fellow nuns, he demonstrates how Christian practices still bring people spiritual peace in modern times. Salzman’s descriptions of the nuns’ interactions in contemporary life demonstrate how Christian practices, though no longer commonplace, still serve as a valuable part of society to some Americans. During Sister John’s first trip to the hospital, she experiences a disconnect with society beyond the monastery when she draws the attention of other patients even though she knows her habit is meant to minimize distraction (Salzman, 41). However, her presence also elicits a gesture of respect from one man (40). The juxtaposition of these reactions show that the nuns, though seemingly out of place in Los Angeles, are not entirely devalued in society, so long as some people can feel at ease rather than discomforted in their presence. The Church’s ability to quell feelings of unease for modern Americans is further shown in Sister John’s backstory. When she still experienced feelings of loneliness as Helen Nye in 1969, she felt called to God and joined the monastery (91). Her ability to turn to the Church over contemporary means to

Despite seeming anachronistic to some, the nuns still have their place in the world. By caring for the community spiritually and maintaining respect for the Church, the nuns’ activities show that Christianity is not lost in modern L.A. Even if it is not accepted or understood by all of society, belief in the Christian god serves as a modern method of trying to purvey feelings of peace and safety in one’s