Priest

Tyler strongly believes that God has a plan for his life, but he initially struggles to figure out whether Poppy is a part of that plan. He wonders, “Maybe it was God’s plan all along for us to end up here, alone in this sanctuary, and forced to face the truth, that this was more than friendship, this was more than lust” (206). His deliberations help propel the story. He’s unable to distinguish between his identity as a priest and “God’s plan.” He has many questions: If God didn’t want Tyler to be with Poppy, then why did he put Poppy in his life? Conversely, if God wanted Tyler to be with Poppy, then why did God have Tyler become a priest? The doubts highlight the uncertainty around fate. God doesn’t hand Tyler a script that shows him how his life unfolds. There are no tangible instructions for Tyler.

Ironically, Tyler’s inner turmoil reveals a lack of faith. He wants some kind of evidence or proof that he is on the right path, but the nature of faith is that one must trust without proof. Tyler tries to push himself in Poppy’s direction through material acts like the kiss and the gift of Lizzy’s rosary. Ultimately, these symbols falter. There will be no clear, tangible sign that he is following God’s plan. Instead, he must accept that human life is inherently uncertain and that the best he can do is follow his own conscience and intuition. Considering whether he can continue to help others after giving up his role as a priest, Tyler realizes that Jesus did not simply preach from a pulpit; instead, he helped people in “direct, physical—sometimes intimate—ways” (442). Jesus’ example helps Tyler resolve his dilemma. Tyler, too, belongs in “the real world.” He leaves his role as a priest and reconnects to God through volunteer work and his marriage to Poppy.

Throughout the book, Tyler must learn lessons that Poppy has already learned before meeting him. She sensed as a young adult that the life her parents had constructed for her wasn’t part of her destiny. Poppy says, “I adorned the life that already had too many cars, too many rooms, too many luncheons and fundraiser galas. A life already filled with two other children who’d also graduated from Dartmouth and then proceeded to marry fellow rich people and have little rich babies” (64). She broke the cycle by leaving her situation. She’s already ahead of Tyler, as she’s left her unfulfilling role and followed her destiny. Tyler notes their unequal footing when he says, “It just feels like I am risking everything, and you are risking nothing” (275). In reality, the difference between them is that Poppy has already risked everything. She has already taken the leap of faith that Tyler must take now, and she has come out safe on the other side. Poppy is less vulnerable than Tyler because she has found a secure role that aligns with her values and desires. Unable to distance himself from the priesthood, Tyler remains precarious. The dynamic indicates that fate comes with strength. Poppy feels empowered since she follows her destiny. Once Tyler stops being a priest, he gets intense feelings, like “the brushing of dove’s wings and a baptism of fire all at the same time” (442). The strong imagery gives Tyler confidence that he’s abiding by his destiny.