Hope Was Here

Since experiencing a life-changing car accident early in her life, Joan Bauer embarked on a lifelong journey to discover what it means to live a life of faith. All her books address hope in a higher power in some way and portray characters who must rely on their faith to endure hardships. In Hope Was Here, Bauer examines a specific type of faith in the character of G.T. Stoop, whose mother raised him in the Quaker faith tradition and who incorporates Quaker tenets into his life. Having persevered through the loss of his mother and wife, G.T. now battles leukemia while also trying to make a difference in his community by running for mayor. G.T. frequently references his Quaker roots when explaining to his constituents why he chooses not to participate in political backbiting and smear campaigns like his opponent, Eli Millstone. G.T.’s principled and honorable character is emblematic of Quakerism, and though the number of Quakers still found in America is small, the religious tradition once played an integral role in the formation of the country (Rossi, Tony. “I Want to Help Kids See They Have a Hero Inside: An Interview With Joan Bauer.” Patheos, 25 March 2015).

Quakerism began as a religious movement in England in the mid-17th century, born out of a response to established religion. Founded by George Fox, the group, then called the Society of Friends, prioritizes a belief in the presence of the divine in every individual and emphasizes the importance of personal spiritual experience. Quakers promote egalitarianism, pacifism, social justice, and humanitarianism. Believing that intermediaries are unnecessary, Quaker churches do not have traditional clergymen like pastors or bishops, and their services are almost entirely silent. Church members speak only after intermittent periods of praying and awaiting a word from God.

Searching for religious freedom, the Quakers were some of the earliest settlement groups in the colonies. Led by William Penn, the group arrived in Pennsylvania in 1681. As advocates for religious liberty and social reform, Quaker ideals became part of the nation’s founding documents, and later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, Quakers were at the forefront of social reform movements. Under the leadership of individuals like John Woolman and Lucretia Mott, Quakers adamantly opposed slavery and were instrumental in creating and maintaining the Underground Railroad and working to end slavery through the abolitionist movement. Quaker women also played an important role in early feminist movements and the women’s suffrage movement. Quakerism places a high value on education, and Quakers are responsible for the creation of several institutions of higher learning, such as Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges (Carroll, Kenneth L. “America’s First Recorded Quaker Communities.” Quaker History, vol. 94, no. 1, 2005, pp. 41–53. JSTOR).

Placing a high value on social responsibility, Quakers encourage their followers to become involved in their communities through service-oriented organizations. Quakers participate in politics but prioritize unity and moral responsibility over policy and economics. Ardently committed to promoting peace, Quakers serve as conscientious objectors in times of war and do not carry weapons. Some Quakers even practice vegetarianism as an extension of their commitment to nonviolence. From his Welcome Stairways diner, the name a nod to the traditional entryway to a Quaker meetinghouse, to his commitment to principled leadership and compassionate social justice, the character of G.T. embodies the beliefs of the Society of Friends.