Since Cassidy refuses to say anything, Brother Timothy threatens him with a punishment which is that Cassidy "will have to go to confession and [he] will there make an act of contrition" ( 2,1,3). From this quote, the reader can deduce that Brother Timothy values the religious faith because he makes the child's punishment to do confession and contrition which is a way to repent to God for your sins in the Catholic church. If Brother Timothy didn't value religion, the penalty would of been different like putting him on eraser duty, cleaning, or some other physical bearing chore. .
Similar to Brother Timothy, Cassidy is also apart of the Catholic Church, yet he doesn't take it as seriously. Cassidy values aesthetics , which is nature and the expression of beauty, more than anything. The abuse the Cassidy gets put upon him by Brother Timothy happens because he misses mass. Now, Cassidy misses mass because " he had gone into the lanes with Byrne, they had become absorbed in strange life that abounded the hedges and ditches, they had not heard the bell" (2,1,5-6). Cassidy is a 15-year-old boy who becomes mesmerized by insect-like creatures that the bell to go to mass is silent in his mind. In society today, most 15-year-old boys are more preoccupied in sports, girls, and acting goofy than in insects. From this, the reader can assume that his love for nature is immensely strong. Also, from Cassidy's venture through the lanes, he came across a caterpillar and keeps it in his possession. While he was in the stuffy, musty room all by his lonesome, he took the caterpillar out and played with it. While playing with the caterpillar " Cassidy watched it slow graceful movements he lowered his head and stared at it. What a lovely green it was. How marvelous" (2,2,2-4). Cassidy pays very close attention to the caterpillar, from how it moves, to the its" vibrant color. At the end of the whole experience, Cassidy says how marvelous.