In the Castle of My Skin

Trumper, Boy Blue, and G. attend an open-air church meeting at night. The meetings usually draw a large crowd because the villagers “liked to see how others got saved, and sometimes they heard their testimonies which were often embarrassingly intimate” (161). Even the most carnal sins of the flesh are revealed publicly, to the delight of the spectators. As G. and his friends watch a young, scared boy mull over becoming a Christian, Trumper indicates that they should leave. It’s always scary to remain until the end because one might get called on by the preacher, but Boy Blue and G. are caught up in the revelry with the other onlookers. Trumper’s insistence that they leave soon angers the crowd and catches the attention of the preacher, Brother Dickson. Boy Blue and Trumper leave, but G. is almost caught by the preacher.

Later, Boy Blue and G. think about the church meeting, while Trumper badmouths Christianity. Trumper’s heard Mr. Slime speak ill of religion by accusing it of making people passive. Mr. Slime wants the villagers to change things themselves instead of relying on religious fairytales. Boy Blue likens Mr. Slime to a black Jesus because the villagers trust and believe in him.