Cane Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 14 "Conversion" Summary

Chapter 14 "Conversion" Summary

"Conversion" is about religious conversion from traditional African beliefs to Christianity. The African "Guardian of Souls" is characterized as drunk and hungry, basically succumbing to base, physical needs. This African God falls to the ways of a new Christian God, who is cynical and white. There are shouts of amen and hosanna.

Chapter 14 "Conversion" Analysis

The roles of religion and nature within the African American culture are prominent themes throughout Cane. Here, the narrator compares a traditional African god with the Christian god. Despite the depth to which religion influences the lives of the characters in the novel, neither god in "Conversion" is without its flaws. The African god is excessive with food and drink. While Christianity is the accepted replacement to the drunk African guardian, the narrator indicates that the Christian god is not really appropriate either. He is white and bitter, and his words ("palabra") are weak.