Maude Ivory Character Analysis in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Maude Ivory is the youngest member of the Covey in District 12. She’s a cousin to Lucy Gray and Barb Azure and, like them, she’s an orphan. However, Maude Ivory is one of the brightest, most engaging members of the band. She regularly opens the shows and introduces the band, and she’s usually the one to lead call-and-response songs or singalongs during the shows. According to Lucy Gray, Maude Ivory has a knack for memorizing songs, even after only hearing them once. Maude Ivory is extremely trusting—she doesn’t seem to recognize at all that Coriolanus might be trouble. She’s also very loyal to the Covey and is the angriest and most vocal when Billy Taupe refuses to leave Lucy Gray alone.

Maude Ivory Character Timeline in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The timeline below shows where the character Maude Ivory appears in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...ends” in District 12. The Covey, she says, will get the song’s message; her cousin Maude Ivory will no doubt memorize the song after only hearing it once. Peacekeepers come to escort... (full context)

Soon after, a little girl steps out and, to cheers, introduces herself as Maude Ivory . She introduces the Covey: Tam Amber on mandolin, Clerk Carmine on fiddle, Barb Azure... (full context)

The show over, Maude Ivory fetches a basket and weaves through the audience, accepting payment for the show. Coriolanus and... (full context)

Maude Ivory puts herself between Lucy Gray and the man, whom she calls Billy Taupe. She tells... (full context)

...shacks. Coriolanus is ready to give up, but then they see trees ahead and hear Maude Ivory singing. They find Maude Ivory on a makeshift stoop, cracking nuts. (full context)

Propaganda, Spectacle, and Morality Theme Icon

Maude Ivory runs inside and fetches Barb Azure, who says that Lucy Gray is in the meadow.... (full context)

Lucy Gray is in the meadow with Shamus, their goat. When Sejanus suggests he and Maude Ivory head back to the house to eat the bread, the girl agrees. Coriolanus nervously walks... (full context)

...the loft, a rudimentary kitchen, a TV, and only chairs and a table for furniture. Maude Ivory runs for Lucy Gray as soon as they step in and says that “he’s making... (full context)

Coriolanus and Lucy Gray return to the house, where Sejanus is helping Maude Ivory milk Shamus outside. Inside, Barb Azure grabs a pan of chilled milk from the refrigerator... (full context)

...bar to what turns out to be a large garage. The Covey are inside and Maude Ivory runs over immediately. She accepts popcorn balls from Coriolanus and, with Sejanus, goes to show... (full context)

...the show. He feels happier and friendlier as the night wears on. At one point, Maude Ivory is onstage with Lucy Gray and says they’re going to sing Lucy Gray’s namesake ballad,... (full context)

...He makes himself a walking stick, but no one else seems concerned. After a while, Maude Ivory complains that her shoes are hurting her feet. Sejanus offers to carry her. Maude Ivory... (full context)

A bit later, Coriolanus takes over carrying Maude Ivory . She wants to know what he thought of Lucy Gray’s song—and where he thinks... (full context)

...The group also feasts on blackberries and Ma’s sugar cookies, which Sejanus brought. After lunch, Maude Ivory explains that each member of the Covey’s first name comes from a ballad, and their... (full context)

Lucy Gray convinces Maude Ivory to lie down and take a nap in exchange for a song. The lullaby helps... (full context)

As Maude Ivory wakes up, Coriolanus stews. He’s jealous as he thinks of the song Lucy Gray was... (full context)

Sejanus, Maude Ivory , and Tam Amber head into town while the rest of the group collects apples.... (full context)

...who’s blacked out, up and are on their way out of town when they hear Maude Ivory scream. (full context)

...orange scarf, believing this is his last chance to see Lucy Gray. After a bit, Maude Ivory scampers onto the stage to lead everyone in singing for Commander Hoff. Afterward Lucy Gray... (full context)