# The Hardshell Preacher explained — The Hoosier Schoolmaster

> Chapter companion for The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleston.

## What happens

Ralph attends a Hardshell Baptist church service with Miss Martha Hawkins, riding double on the clay-bank mare. The sermon, delivered by the red-nosed Mr. Bosaw, is a rambling discourse on oxen and asses, which Ralph finds no spiritual edification in. The community is abuzz with excitement, and Ralph overhears Pete Jones hinting at a plot against him, set for Christmas. Miss Martha, meanwhile, repeatedly compares everything to her experiences 'at the East' in Boston.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Hypocrisy

The chapter satirizes the Hardshell preacher's sermon, which focuses on his oxen rather than spiritual matters, and highlights the community's use of church as a social gathering rather than a religious service.

### Community and Gossip

The church service is a communal event where news is exchanged and excitement is palpable. Pete Jones's cryptic threats and the general murmurings show the community's role in spreading rumors and shaping social dynamics.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph Hartsook

Rides to church with Miss Hawkins, finds the sermon dull, and overhears a threat about his 'case' being tended to at Christmas.

### Squire Hawkins

Comments on the preacher's attack on his denomination, the 'Reformers' or 'Campbellites', and jokes about the 'Sarpent' inspiring him.

### Miss Martha Hawkins

Rides behind Ralph to church and repeatedly compares the local customs and sights to her experiences 'at the East' in Boston.

### Mr. Bosaw

The Hardshell preacher who delivers a long, rambling sermon about his oxen, Berry and Buck, and attacks the Campbellites.

### Pete Jones

Makes cryptic remarks about the 'wooden leg' being involved in something and calls out that they will 'tend to his case a Christmas.'

### Shocky

Attends the meeting, presumably to catch a glimpse of Hannah, and wonders about the lizard winking at the preacher.

## Key lines

> They's preachin' down to Bethel Meetin'-house today

There is preaching down at the Bethel Meeting-house today.

_Squire Hawkins announces the church service, using the local dialect._

> Ef you're elected, you'll be saved; ef you a'n't, you'll be damned. God'll take keer of his elect.

If you are one of the elect, you will be saved; if not, you will be damned. God will take care of his chosen people.

_A summary of the Hardshell Baptist doctrine as described by the narrator._

> We'll tend to his case a Christmas.

We will deal with him at Christmas.

_Pete Jones's ominous threat, overheard by Ralph, indicating a planned confrontation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xii-the-hardshell-preacher
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters