 His previous disregard of Angela's fundamental views seems to have developed into full atheism (as he said to the men bringing his wife's dead body to the hospital truck that there was no heaven and was the only one not praying during Angela's funeral).Soon after Angela's death, Arthur prepares to smack Clay, but holds back, claiming Clay to be "not worth it".From then on, Clay begins thinking of corporal punishment as a show of love, a show that he is worth it, and takes every opportunity to earn it.