Act 3, Scene 1 Summary

The funeral procession for Mrs. Jefferson enters, attended by a crowd of black people, press, and policemen. In the procession are Goldie, acting as a pallbearer, Clara, and the Preacher, who quotes the Bible and then leads the congregation in passionate prayers for Mrs. Jefferson's eternal peace. As Clara starts to cry, photographers try to take her picture. Clara becomes angry, and Goldie and the Pastor try to calm her, but Clara becomes hysterical, shouting that Ellie is to blame for Mrs. Jefferson's death by causing Jack to run away with her. A woman in the crowd slaps her, Clara falls onto the coffin calling out to Mrs. Jefferson, and the Pastor shouts to the crowd that feelings like Clara's are the work of the devil, and they have to beware of him. Scipio emerges from the crowd, shouting down the...