Characters
Hazel Motes
Hazel Motes is a complex figure, a twenty-two-year-old man marked by the legacy of his grandfather, a backwoods preacher. His journey to Taulkinham is driven by an intense desire to challenge and test the religious convictions instilled in him since childhood. Although his demeanor—punctuated by his black hat and intense gaze—suggests that of a preacher, Hazel is determined to escape what he perceives as a predestined path. This paradoxical existence is central to his character: a religious man striving to reject religion in a secular world.
O'Connor crafts Hazel as an isolated character, one who shuns human connection despite the attempts of Enoch Emery to forge a friendship and Sabbath Lily Hawks's advances. His interactions with others are often defined by his staunch negation of divinity, as he vehemently refutes the existence of God. Yet, the name "Hazel," meaning "he who sees God" in Hebrew, hints at a deeper, perhaps unavoidable, spiritual connection. His distinctive appearance, featuring a pronounced forehead and deep-set eyes, exudes a compelling, almost prophetic influence, as illustrated by Mrs. Hitchcock's attraction to his eyes, which she finds both alluring and threatening.
In his rebellion against spirituality, Hazel establishes the "Church Without Christ," using his car as both a symbol and a pulpit. He preaches from its hood, asserting "Nobody with a good car needs to be justified," and offers a "new jesus" devoid of traditional salvation. This ironic stance ultimately leads to his spiritual awakening catalyzed by the loss of his car. Hazel's character is further nuanced by his army service, which serves as another arena where he tested his grandfather's faith. His life is a series of attempts to escape Christ, marked by a need for solitude and an aversion to lasting relationships.
Ultimately, Hazel's life is a continuous struggle between the religious identity thrust upon him and his efforts to reject it, a journey that ends only in his dramatic act of self-blinding and subsequent death, leaving behind a legacy of unresolved spiritual and existential questions.
Enoch Emery
Enoch Emery is depicted as a lonely and isolated young man who perceives Hazel Motes as a kindred spirit. His upbringing, marred by an absentee father and the overbearing presence of a welfare woman, leaves him suspicious of religious orthodoxy and driven by an intrinsic sense of "wise blood" that guides his actions. Enoch's life is characterized by a yearning for companionship and a belief that Hazel's quest for a "new jesus" holds profound significance.
Working at the zoo, Enoch despises the very animals he tends to, yet finds himself inexplicably fascinated by them. His life is a series of mundane routines, punctuated by visits to the public swimming pool to observe women and frequent trips to a museum that houses a mummy—the latter holding particular, albeit enigmatic, importance for him. This mummy symbolizes a deeper calling, compelling Enoch to share it with Hazel, whom he sees as central to an impending monumental event.
Despite his obsession with Hazel, Enoch's efforts are ultimately in vain, as Hazel remains largely indifferent to his attempts at friendship. The character of Enoch is a tragic one, defined by his unfulfilled need for connection and recognition, alongside his misguided belief in "wise blood" as a guiding force.
Asa Hawks
Asa Hawks is portrayed as a disillusioned preacher, whose life is defined by hypocrisy and failure. His scarred visage and pretense of blindness, supposedly undertaken for Jesus, are emblematic of his spiritual disillusionment. Despite his dark attire and glasses, Asa's faith is a sham, culminating in his inability to blind himself as a testament to his convictions. His role...
(This entire section contains 1335 words.)
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in the narrative is that of a fallen preacher who has lost his way, now reduced to begging in the streets of Taulkinham.
Asa's relationship with his daughter, Sabbath Lily, is strained; he is reliant on her to distribute religious pamphlets while he solicits alms. His encounter with Hazel Motes reveals his awareness of a genuine spirituality within Hazel, yet Asa himself remains spiritually bankrupt. Ultimately, his failure as a preacher and father leads him to abandon his daughter, leaving her to face Hazel's influence alone.
Sabbath Lily Hawks
Sabbath Lily Hawks, the teenage daughter of Asa Hawks, mirrors her father's counterfeit morality, yet she is driven by her own motives. Her vivid red lips and pale complexion contrast sharply with Asa's fatigued appearance. Despite the hypocrisy surrounding her upbringing, Sabbath recognizes Hazel Motes's deep-rooted need for faith, hoping to use this insight to her advantage.
Anticipating her father's abandonment, Sabbath attempts to seduce Hazel, seeking a form of liberation from her tumultuous past. Her advances range from casual encounters during car rides to direct propositions in Hazel's room, accompanied by advice shared from a lovelorn column. This column reflects O'Connor's critique of society's superficial view of religion. Although Sabbath momentarily succeeds in her attempts, she fails to form the lasting connection she desires. Her father's departure and Hazel's indifference ultimately result in her becoming a nuisance at Hazel's residence, leading to her detention by social services.
Hoover Shoats
Hoover Shoats, also known by his alias Onnie Jay Holy, is a shrewd con artist seeking to capitalize on Hazel Motes's street sermons. Viewing Hazel's preachings as a lucrative opportunity, Shoats attempts to partner with him. Rebuffed, he retaliates by creating competition in the form of Solace Layfield, whom he markets as the "True Prophet." Shoats's efforts to commercialize Hazel's message by renaming the church "Church of Christ Without Christ" are met with disdain by Hazel, who sees through his exploitative intentions.
Ultimately, Shoats's attempts to profit from Hazel's "new jesus" message fail, as Hazel's resolve is unwavering. Shoats embodies the theme of religious exploitation, representing those who twist spiritual messages for personal gain.
Mrs. Flood
Mrs. Flood, the landlady of Hazel Motes, is portrayed as a self-serving and deceitful woman. Her initial interactions with Hazel are driven by a desire to marry him and take control of his government pension. However, following Hazel's self-blinding, she becomes increasingly intrigued by his motivations, sensing that he is pursuing truths beyond her comprehension.
Despite her dishonest nature, Mrs. Flood's curiosity about Hazel's ascetic lifestyle grows, ultimately leading her to develop a reluctant attraction to him. Her plans to marry Hazel are thwarted by his untimely death, yet she experiences a final epiphany, perceiving a distant light that she associates with Hazel. This suggests her incomplete understanding of his spiritual journey and highlights the theme of unfulfilled curiosity.
Solace Layfield
Solace Layfield, recruited by Hoover Shoats to impersonate the "True Prophet," is a tragic figure. His resemblance to Hazel Motes, both in dress and demeanor, emphasizes the theme of false prophets within the narrative. Stricken with tuberculosis, Layfield is frail and vulnerable, yet he preaches Shoats’s messages to support his large family.
Hazel perceives Layfield as an impostor defiling genuine belief, leading to a tragic confrontation where Hazel forces Layfield to relinquish his suit, ultimately killing him with his car. Layfield's final words, "Jesus hep me," echo a plea for redemption, underscoring the theme of spiritual conflict and the genuine yearning for salvation amidst deceit.
Mrs. Hitchcock
Mrs. Hitchcock is introduced early in the narrative, meeting Hazel Motes on a train. Though she appears ordinary, her conversation reveals a desire for connection and companionship. Her curiosity about Hazel's identity as a preacher highlights a recurring theme in the story: society's expectation for him to fulfill a religious role.
Mrs. Hitchcock's curiosity and engagement with Hazel symbolize the first intrusion into his otherwise solitary existence, setting the stage for the societal pressures he faces throughout his journey.
Mrs. Watts
Mrs. Watts, the proprietor of a brothel in Taulkinham, represents Hazel Motes's rebellion against his clerical identity. His deliberate interactions with her signify a conscious step in repudiating spiritual ties and rejecting any semblance of a religious calling. Hazel views his engagement with Mrs. Watts as a testament to his disbelief, using the encounter to further assert his secular identity and challenge the expectations placed upon him.
