Black Boy Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 4 Summary

Chapter 4 Summary

If racism is an invisible yet perpetual threat to Richard's life, then religion, at least as practiced by his grandmother, is a highly visible and equally restrictive presence in Richard's world. An "ardent member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church" Richard's grandmother makes him attend church services and participate in endless prayers at home.

Hunger returns to the household and Richard must deal with both his empty stomach along with being placed in a religious school at which his aunt teaches. Already branded by his grandmother and aunt as a sinner and a devil, the women nevertheless set out to save him from the fires of hell.

Unlike his past experiences in starting a new school, Richard finds that instead of having to show his fellow students that he is capable of holding his own, he must face an irrational aunt/teacher bent on finding any excuse to punish him. After receiving...
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