Early in his career, Ellison learned the importance of detailed physical descriptions, especially those employing multiple sensory impressions. Thus, Reverend Hickman and his followers come alive in Ellison's description of their encounter with the Capitol guards, and their symbolic role is clear when they assemble to pray at the Lincoln Memorial. Bliss's conversation with his peers shows the growing conflict between his role as the boy-preacher and his desire to be simply an average young boy. The awakening of puberty is vividly portrayed in the episode in which the preadolescent Bliss timidly approaches the sleeping Sister Georgia and carefully lifts her nightgown. Similar wonder and longing are evident as Bliss remembers his first experiences at the movies. Later, Ellison reveals the change in his personality by describing his impressions as he revels in the physical beauty of both the Oklahoma countryside and Miss Teasing Brown.

In fact, Juneteenth...