Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Black's near-death conversion is a classic example of the conversion experience. Many people report their conversions occurring during their lowest and weakest point—and in Black's weakest moment, he realizes that he's not in charge, that he can't do it all by himself. This is when he surrenders. He explains:
"And I'm layin there and I hear this voice. Just as clear. Couldnt of been no clearer. And this voice says: If it was not for the grace of God you would not be here…" (49)
Black doesn't know why God speaks to people, but he assumes God would speak to anyone who's willing to listen. It's part of his general faith. On the other hand, White has a rather cynical take on the story, since it involves the prisoner who almost killed Black suffering severe brain damage:
BLACK: You gettin ahead of the story.
WHITE: The story of how a fellow prisoner became a crippled one-eyed halfwit so that you could find God. (49)
The conversion has a mystery built into it. Why does it need to happen in a way that provokes doubt, involving the permanent injury of another (though rather bad) human? It depends on how you look at it: Black is content to rest with the mystery and accept its strangeness, while White, on the other hand, is content to throw the whole thing out, dismissing it as just one more piece of craziness.