The Violent Bear It Away Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapters 4 and 5 Summary

Chapters 4 and 5 Summary

Tarwater turns out to be more of a challenge than Rayber had anticipated, and Rayber finds it nearly impossible to communicate with the sullen boy. Tarwater rejects the food and the new clothes provided for him and behaves ungratefully in spite of his vulnerable situation. Tarwater is especially disdainful of the hearing aid which Rayber wears as a result of being shot by Mason on the steps of the shack.

One night, Tarwater leaves his room, and Rayber gets out of bed and follows the boy's convoluted path downtown to a church service. The main preacher is a young girl obviously exploited by her parents. Rayber catches the girl's eye from his position outside the church window and tries to silently communicate to the child that he can save her if she will only give him the chance.

The child preacher calls attention to Rayber, and he leaps into the...
(read more)