The protagonist, initially a cotton sharecropper who becomes a traveling Baptist preacher named Zekiel after his brother is killed. He struggles with religious fervor and sexual temptation, particularly from Chick. After abandoning his ministry and living with Chick, he pursues her when she elopes with Hot Shot. Zeke kills Hot Shot in a bayou chase, serves prison time, and is ultimately reconciled with his family.
Zeke and Hot Shot become direct adversaries after a rigged craps game escalates to violence.
Zeke feels immediate romantic and physical attraction to Chick upon their first meeting.
Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Hallelujah