In Flannery O'Connor's eccentric novel, Wise Blood, there are many themes that are revolved around the practice of Christianity. This novel wasn't any ordinary biblical novel, but mainly revolved around the thin line between christianity and atheism. The main character, Hazel, has returned home from the war and has no family members to come home to. He seeks to become a preacher like his grandfather, even though he has already convinced himself into being an atheist, he believes there are no gods or holy spirits. However, there is always room to keep an open mind so he goes on his own journey to find christ himself and to teach himself the bible without it being taught to him.
The main theme of this novel is religion and is the center of attention. Hazel comes from a religious family and now that he’s an atheist it's challenges that he faces within himself and with others. The reader may ask themselves questions like, how could a preacher be an atheist? When he is approached constantly by other preachers about the word of god and it is difficult for him since he has no knowledge behind it. Ann Garbett, from the Salem Press Encyclopedia of Literature stated…show more content… Hazel shows that with his rebellion against the church and when he stands on his car to tell others about the lies that are embodied in the bible. This makes him ask himself if this is his destiny spread this to other people and if others have the same opinions and share the same interests that he does. Hazel can be seen as an outsider, and like Hazel, Enoch’s character can be seen as an outsider as well and he comes across Hazel at the zoo. He looks for guidance and friendship from Hazel. Even though they are alienated from others and isolated them seem to have made their own friendship once they come together. Flannery O’Connor’s novel makes the reader think more about the “what ifs” in Hazel’s perspective in his attempt to form this
