Wise Blood, Chapter 4

At the beginning of chapter four there are a few things that we know about Hazel. He is always looking for signs. Much of the problem with his youth appears to be the disconnect between his own world and the changing world. He is looking for a home, somewhere to belong. His father was a sinner, grandfather a fervent self-loathing revivalist, mother was strict, and his brothers have both passed away at different times. To him, Jesus is a “gotcha” God who swings around in the tress of your mind much like Tarzan. In the chapter specifically, there are images of metal, tin, shining things, machinery, and sharp light. The colors mentioned are ones that convey dullness or filth: rat-colored, dust-colored, yellow, black, and green. There are references to the devil as well as a set of chameleon’s eyes. In contrast to the devil there are number drops, such as the Biblical reference to the book of Numbers. Hazel is still looking for signs.