Pain and Foundation

Every time I try to remember the title of "Foundations of the Earth" I usually confuse it with Ken Follett's novel "Pillars of the Earth" though there is very little similarity other than the title. "Foundations" is an excellent story and I enjoy Kenan's writing, but something bothers me. While it definitely is not an easy change, the shift in Maggie's views is easier than the title would imply. The foundation of the building is what holds it up, and without a good one any little windstorm will tear a building down. So what then is Maggie's foundation? The easiest answer is faith, and the one that makes the most sense given that a conversation with the pastor frames the real action of the story. If that were true however, the realization that Edward was gay would have either shattered her or caused her to cast Edward away. 

I believe that her foundation was love, though she thought it was faith. Her love of Edward allowed her to start on the path to understanding him, even though what she held sacred asked, nay demanded that she push him away.