Part Three Summary

"The Violent Bear it Away" is the story of Mason Tarwater, a man who considers himself to be a prophet. Tarwater lives on a farm with his great-nephew, Francis Marion Tarwater. Mason Tarwater kidnaps young Francis when the boy was only a baby to teach the boy the ways of the Lord. Francis lives with Mason for fourteen years until the day Mason dies.

Before being taken boy Mason, Francis had lived with Mason's nephew, a schoolteacher. The school teacher was a heathen in Mason's eyes and all attempts by the teacher to get Francis back failed.

Francis is given the task of burying the old man, who dies at the breakfast table. This is a difficult job for Francis, who is required to dig a hole ten feet deep and drop the old man inside. Along the way, Francis discovers...