In Brian Evenson's chilling narrative "Two Brothers," the corrosive power of religious fanaticism is laid bare within the confines of a single family. At the helm is Daddy Norton, a self-proclaimed prophet whose uncompromising zealotry leads to tragic outcomes. When Daddy Norton suffers a severe leg injury, he forbids his family from summoning medical help, insisting that it is all part of a divine plan he claims to have foreseen. This decision, justified by his belief in having a special connection to God's intentions, ultimately results in his painful demise. During his final moments, he gathers his family to impart what he deems a moral and religious lesson, requesting "the book of the Holy Word," a personal scripture of prophecies and divine insights he has penned himself.

Throughout Evenson’s portrayal, the shadow of Daddy Norton's fanaticism looms large, affecting every facet of his family's existence. His insistence that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" becomes a literal mandate as he denies his sons, Theron and Aurel, nourishment. As the day drags on, hunger becomes a battleground for the soul, and Theron's physical craving is condemned as a moral failing. Mama, complicit in this harsh regime, reinforces the perception of her children as sinners needing correction rather than care. The absence of any mention of the boys' ages further underscores their objectification; they are not perceived as children in need of guidance but as embodiments of sin.

Evenson masterfully captures the insidious effects of fanatical beliefs that prioritize dogma over humanity. Daddy Norton's relentless piety blinds him to the basic needs and innocence of his children, reducing them to mere subjects of his divine narrative rather than individuals with their own humanity. The boys' plight highlights a world where innocence is suffocated under the weight of unyielding ideology, illustrating the profound and often destructive impact of religious extremism on familial relationships.

The religious practices of Daddy Norton resonate profoundly with the Mormon tradition of prophecy. This tradition finds its beginnings with the foundational figures of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, who established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the modern-day custodians of a prophetic heritage that echoes the Hebrew scriptures. In the Mormon faith, the declarations made by Smith, Young, and their successors are regarded with the gravitas of divine revelation. These pronouncements, compiled in The Doctrine and Covenants and continually updated through messages from the Church's First Presidency, form the core of Mormon doctrine and guide the community’s spiritual and daily life.

Daddy Norton perceives himself within this prophetic framework, believing he has been anointed by God to deliver divine messages. His vision of himself as a prophet mirrors the established tradition where individuals assume a sacred role, serving as conduits for the divine word. Through his self-designation, Norton aligns himself with a lineage that is central to the identity and evolution of the Mormon faith, embodying a personal conviction that his insights and declarations carry the weight of spiritual truth and are integral to the lives of his followers.

Evenson's narrative draws compelling parallels to the biblical tale of Esau and Jacob found in Genesis 27. Just as Esau, Isaac's elder son, is depicted with a focus on immediate, practical concerns, so too is Theron, the elder sibling in Evenson’s story. Theron’s life revolves around tangible necessities—scavenging for food in the kitchen, searching the house for supplies after Daddy Norton's death, and venturing outside in desperation when starvation looms. His practical outlook starkly contrasts with his father’s religious fervor, which he dismisses, choosing instead to prioritize the...