Chapter 5 Summary

Rosaleen and Lily begin to bond with the Boatwright sisters as they begin working and living with them. Friendships begin to form, and the women begin to discover each other's idiosyncrasies, faults and personalities. While June questions Lily and Rosaleen's authenticity, August overlooks the visitors' hidden past, preferring to acknowledge the good points and extending her goodwill. Lily enjoys her newfound freedom at the Boatwrights' and the lack of T-Ray's influence in her life. Lily and Rosaleen are introduced to the Black Mary and the Boatwright sisters' form of religion. They also witness racial disputes unfolding around the country, making Lily question God and his reasoning behind creating different skin tones.

Chapter 5 Analysis

Freedom is an extremely powerful word, and Kidd expresses its depth through her heroine. Lily once felt ridiculed, controlled and unable to be herself because of T-Ray, which parallels the...