Part 1, Scene 2 Summary

The setting is a fish fry in Heaven before the creation of Earth. African American winged angels of all sexes and ages are frying catfish, baking biscuits and corn bread, and making boiled custard to drink. A choir sings old hymns, mostly unknown to the reader today, in the background. The cherubs, children of the adult angels, constantly misbehave and grow up to join the holy angel choir at the throne of grace. Heaven is "everywhere," except where Satan is, which is not known, and includes a lake where the men catch catfish. An unnamed imposing Archangel enters and passes out Sunday school graduation cards to the cherubs. The Archangel Gabriel enters. He is bigger and more elaborately winged than any other but younger and beardless. Gabriel raises his hand and announces the entrance of the Lord God Jehovah. God is...