Crooked Hallelujah Lesson Plan

What is the appeal of Charles Manson for Justine? How does Manson help Justine think about the nature of belief? What are the similarities and differences between the Manson family cult and Lula's fundamentalism?

Although students will note that religion can be destructive and cult-like, similar to the Manson family, they should also note that the novel ultimately rejects that comparison. Young Justine is attracted to the Manson family because she wants to understand faith in her own way, and her older self does not seem embarrassed or angry at her younger self for doing so. But it's also clear that the novel sees Lula's faith as something ultimately selfless, a way of...