46 pages 1 hour read

James McBride

The Good Lord Bird

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“I weren’t a believer, having been raised by my Pa, who was a believer and a lunatic, and them things seemed to run together.” 


(Chapter 2, Page 23)

Although Henry’s father is a preacher and knows the Bible well, he does not inspire religious passion in Henry. Rather, he and Brown will demonstrate to Henry that religious zealotry is often accompanied by what Henry calls lunacy. There are few people in the novel who do not use their faith to justify rash or irrational actions. 

Quotation Mark Icon

“Lying come natural to all Negroes during slave time, for no man or woman in bondage ever prospered stating their true thoughts to the boss. Much of colored life was an act, and the Negroes that sawed wood and said nothing lived the longest.” 


(Chapter 2, Page 28)

The theme of authenticity runs throughout the novel. Henry sees lying both as a talent and a necessity for the slaves. He admits that he rarely expresses his true thoughts, so it is unlikely that many people know his true self. Pretending is an act of survival for him and the other slaves. Being true to themselves could end their lives. 

Quotation Mark Icon

“Your basic white man is a fool.” 


(Chapter 2, Page 32)

While talking with Fred, Henry realizes that white people share more of their secrets with the Negroes than they do with each other. A slave has thought through, by necessity, every potential consequence before saying anything. White people are not required to think in terms of the consequences of their speech, so they do not measure the things they say as carefully before saying them. 

Related Titles

By James McBride

Study Guide

logo

Deacon King Kong

James McBride

Deacon King Kong

James McBride

Study Guide

logo

Miracle at St. Anna

James McBride

Miracle at St. Anna

James McBride

Study Guide

logo

Song Yet Sung

James McBride

Song Yet Sung

James McBride

Study Guide

logo

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

James McBride

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

James McBride