Summary

In “Wilderness,” Pastor Bligh is looking at the ornate bed that seems “alive” and decides that he has “finally drunk himself to death” (44). He considers that he might actually be in hell. He knows that he has already experienced more damnation than hell can hold. He imagines a face that is alternately a cherub and an old, evil person. He feels he knows her. He wakes choking on his own vomit. He rolls over and throws up on the floor. The Widow arrives and is angry at having to clean up after him. She reminds him where the bathroom is as Bligh continues to hear a voice saying there are “things that must happen to you” (45).

The Widow tries to help him, but he orders her away. He hears his brother's voice from Heaven, asking for an explanation of Bligh's betrayal...