Kohan uses religion to create depth within her characters and to influence the dynamic between characters. By using aspects from the personal lives the of the inmates such as religion, the audience is offered a greater sense of context allowing for a better understanding of the situation of each character.
By pinning religion as a valid agent in developing character, we must agree that religion is more than a single interest amongst many others within one's life, but instead a factor that "permeates all interests and experiences and determines basic attitudes, relationships, motivations, standards of value, goals, and conduct in all phases of life." (Holcomb)
Tiffany "Pennsatucky" Doggett
Pennsatucky (Taryn Manning), a character heavily associated with religion, is depicted as the primary antagonist of the first 2 seasons in relation to her conflict with Piper. Later in season 3, with influence from her new unlikely friend, Carrie Black, or "Boo" (Lea DeLaria), Pennsatucky is offered a different standpoint in which she perceives the world in regard to her religious views, ultimately bringing her to a protagonist status.
Jo Henderson-Merrygold cleverly describes her as, "a self-appointed leader inspired by the religious communities who have funded and claimed her as a prophetic figure since she shot her abortionist. Right-wing religious, anti-abortion campaigners publicly celebrate and validate Pennsatucky because of her crime. She is martyr for their cause, and they provide her with an excuse. Religious indoctrination allows Pennsatucky to rewrite her own history."
Pennsatucky's inability to separate her extreme beliefs from her interactions with others undoubtedly supports her status as an antagonist. In the first season of OITNB, Pennsatucky targets Piper for her sins, (lesbian relationship with Alex Vause) as well as Piper's lacking interest in converting to Christianity.
Pennsatucky's intolerance for beliefs other than her own, takes a shift after an enlightening conversation with Boo, Litchfield's biggest self proclaimed "butch dyke" making them an unlikely duo. With reference to the chapter "Where have all the criminals gone?" from the book "Freakonomics" by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt, Boo is able to comfort Tiffany with reason that counters her Evangelical beliefs. From here on, Pennsatucky holds a more positive and cooperative role throughout the series.
Thus, with direct relation to Tiffany Doggett's religious beliefs, Jenji Kohan transforms her character and her overall dynamic with other inmates.
