Summary

In Chapter 3, Maman analyzed the family finances. Her ancestors lived in Louisiana and were part of the largest caulbearer community. When the stories of their power began to circulate, the caulbearers were hunted and murdered. Maman’s grandmother “thought it was best that they sell themselves before anybody killed them for what they had” (62). She knew that caulbearers would die if they were entirely stripped of their caul and if the caul was “torn in a violent way, [a caulbearer] would not be able to heal herself and the regenerative power would be gone” (63). When Landon brought Hallow to the Melancon brownstone, Maman cut a piece of her caul and brewed it in milk for the baby to drink. Without this ritual, a caulbearer would be exposed to visions and voices. Maman had neglected to brew the tea for Iris, who was...