Final answer:
Ben-Hur questions the Nazarene's divinity due to his own suffering and quest for revenge, unlike his mother's unwavering faith. His skepticism is a central theme that the novel explores as he reconciles his doubts through witnessing acts of compassion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the character Ben-Hur and his journey of faith in the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace. In the story, Ben-Hur lacks his mother's unquestioning faith in Jesus, referred to as the Nazarene, due to his experiences of unjust suffering and desire for vengeance. His skepticism stems from his personal struggles and a focus on human justice over divine faith. Contrastingly, his mother's faith is portrayed as steadfast and unconditional, often characterized as a deep, unwavering belief in Jesus' teachings and divinity.
Ben-Hur's journey throughout the novel reflects his internal conflict between the desire for revenge against the Romans and his encounters with the teachings of Jesus. Only through personal development and witnessing Jesus' acts of compassion does he begin to reconcile his doubts and lean towards faith.