Wise Blood Summary

Chapter one: The story begins with Hazel Motes riding a train to his hometown. Motes has just been released from the army after four years and is eager to return home. The story opens with Motes attempting to ignore the chatty conversation of another passenger, Mrs. Wally Bee Hitchcock. Mrs. Hitchcock is a friendly sort, eager to make conversation to pass the time. Motes tries, often unsuccessfully, to ignore the woman. Finally, Motes excuses himself to go and speak to the porter. Motes attempts to engage the porter in conversation, but the porter is not interested in knowing where Motes is from or where he is going.

When Motes returns to his seat, he finally answers one of the questions posed by Mrs. Hitchcock. Motes ignores her chatter and asks her if she had been redeemed. At the table in the...