Chapters 4 and 5 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 4:

Wole becomes fed up with the house servant Nubi bathing him in a rough fashion, and he thrashes and headbutts her. Nubi screams murder, and Wild Christian comes, scolding Nubi for overreacting. Wild Christian mutters that she doesn't understand where Wole's fear of water came from; Wole protests that he doesn't have any fear of water. For his evidence, he points out that he loves to be out in the rain. Debate-loving Essay counters that water and rain are two different things, and eventually Wole and Essay get out a Bible to settle the debate. Wild Christian admonishes Essay for instilling an argumentative spirit in Wole.

Wild Christian tells Essay that Wole has been arguing in church, something Essay disapproves of. Wild Christian also wants Wole to help her at her shop in town. For both of these...