Wise Blood

This chapter begins with Motes parking his Essex in front of the Odeon Theater in Taulkinham. Motes exits his car, stands on his hood, and begins preaching to small groups of passersby. He tells them that “I preach all kinds of truth, your truth and somebody else’s, but behind all of them, there’s only one truth and that is that there is no truth” (164).

As Motes continues to preach, Onnie arrives and begins preaching from the hood of his own car. Onnie declares that “The unredeemed are redeeming theirselves and the new jesus is at hand” (167). Disturbed by Onnie’s arrival, Motes decides to return home.

At home, Motes finds Sabbath Hawks lying on his bed. She tells him that Asa has left town and she has nowhere to go. She tells Motes that she likes being filthy and can teach him how to like it too. Motes says he would like that, and he slips into bed beside her. The chapter ends with her telling Motes to “Take off your hat, king of the beasts” (169).