The Hoosier Schoolmaster · Chapter
XV: The Church of the Best Licks explained
Bud Means returns to Ralph Hartsook and confesses his desire to escape the low-lived ways of Flat Creek.
What happens
Bud Means returns to Ralph Hartsook and confesses his desire to escape the low-lived ways of Flat Creek. He recounts his failed attempts at finding religious guidance, including a revival where a preacher's hellfire sermon drove him away. Ralph shares his own spiritual struggle, and Bud asks if Jesus could help a poor, unlearned Flat Cricker. Ralph assures him that Jesus was like a backwoodsman himself, and they form a simple church of two, vowing to 'put in their best licks for Jesus Christ.' Their moment is interrupted when Shocky bursts in with news that a mob plans to tar and feather Mr. Pearson, who has taken up his flintlock to defend himself.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Hypocrisy
Bud's negative experience with a preacher who preached hell in an insulting manner contrasts with Ralph's simple, compassionate faith, highlighting the difference between genuine spirituality and religious hypocrisy.
Courage and Resilience
Bud's determination to change his life and Mr. Pearson's refusal to flee from the mob both demonstrate courage in the face of adversity.
Community and Gossip
The mob's plan to tar and feather Mr. Pearson illustrates the community's tendency to take justice into its own hands, driven by gossip and collective action.
Characters to notice
- Bud Means
Confesses his desire to reform and seeks spiritual guidance from Ralph, leading to his decision to 'put in his best licks for Jesus Christ.'
- Ralph Hartsook
Shares his own spiritual struggle and offers Bud a simple, personal faith, forming a two-person church.
- Shocky
Bursts in with urgent news about a mob threatening Mr. Pearson, interrupting the religious conversation.
- Miss Martha Hawkins
Mentioned as having informed Shocky about the mob planning to tar and feather Mr. Pearson.
- Mr. Pearson
The old basket-maker who is threatened by a mob and refuses to flee, armed with his flintlock.
Key passages
“I wanted to git out of this low-lived, Flat Crick way of livin’.”
I want to escape the rough and immoral lifestyle of Flat Creek.
Bud expresses his desire for personal reform.
“I think he was a sort of a Flat Creeker himself.”
I believe Jesus was like a backwoodsman himself.
Ralph makes Jesus relatable to Bud's experience.
“Let's you and me have one right off. Two people that help one another to serve God make a church.”
Let's start our own church right now. Two people helping each other to serve God constitute a church.
Ralph and Bud form a simple, personal church.