Beliefs in Oranges

I am a Catholic, so I believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church.  I credit my parents for shaping my system of belief.  I have never really had an experience where my beliefs were challenged.  Sure, I've had my share of bad times like everyone else, but my faith has never come into question.

Beliefs dominate Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit.  Jeanette's mother's beliefs are firmly upheld, while most of Jeanette's gradually change or go away altogether.  Jeanette's mother is a rabid Christian fundamentalist, and remains one the entire book.  Jeanette is raised one but when here sexuality comes into question she begins to reassess herself, leaving behind her church and promises of becoming a missionary.  Perhaps most illustrative of the radical change in her beliefs is this defiant exchange with the pastor and her mother:

J: "She can go. I'm leaving the church, so you can forget the rest."

...

P: "Will you repent?"

J: "No."

Jeanette's change in beliefs is shown symbolically in her dreams (at least I think they are her dreams) with the fairy tale characters, the visit from her demon, and of course, the repeated orange references.  The fairy tale sections usually parallel the actual narrative, or foreshadow things to come.  Maybe I did not read carefully enough, but I'm still having trouble with the oranges.

Probably the big struggle for Jeanette is that her family life is pretty much destroyed, and that her first love, Melanie, will forever be out of her reach.