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Chapter 28
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Kind, Kindness, and Discrimination
The Power of Books
Hardship and Humanity
Change and Modernization
Autonomy and Interdependence
Summary
Analysis
Shortly after Doc leaves, Queenie rides into the yard. She has come to say goodbye. She is shocked to discover the change in Cussy Mary, who was already pretty but is “a’might prettier now.” She convinces Cussy to ride into the Center with her to surprise Eula and Harriett. Before they go, Cussy tries to return Queenie’s dictionary, but Queenie insists that she keep the book, which she got from her own father, as a gift.
Queenie declares that Cussy Mary was beautiful before, but even she has internalized so deeply the idea that only whiteness is good and beautiful that she thinks Cussy is prettier now that her skin color has changed. Cussy isn’t yet able to see herself in the way that the people who love her (Pa, Queenie, Angeline, and Jackson) do. The gift of the dictionary solidifies the relationship between the two women and symbolizes that it will last beyond their upcoming separation.
Themes
Cussy Mary vomits on the way into town. Queenie offers her a biscuit to settle her stomach. Cussy tries to refuse, unwilling to take valuable food from someone else because of her vanity. But Queenie reminds Cussy that she would do the same if their situations were reversed and gently insists that Cussy eat.
Queenie demonstrates her humanity by sharing her food with Cussy Mary, just as Cussy Mary has tried to alleviate the hardship of others with gifts of food. In this harsh and hardscrabble existence, kindness and generosity are extremely important.
Themes
Queenie is excited about her move, the chance to earn a library degree, and a better future for her sons in the city. She’s excited to celebrate Independence Day for the first time in Philadelphia since non-white people weren’t allowed to participate in Troublesome’s celebration. If Cussy Mary is white now, maybe she can go this year.
Queenie sees Philadelphia as a chance to finally become free and to participate in American society. The racism and discrimination prevalent in Troublesome Creek have kept her permanently on the outside. She’s eager to stake a claim for her independence, humanity, and value.
Themes
As Cussy Mary and Queenie walk into the library Center, Harriett screams for them to get “Out, out, out!” believing that Cussy’s new skin color indicates contagious disease. Eula holds a hanky to her nose. The commotion attracts Doc, who happened to be in the adjoining post office. He steps in to declare that Cussy, one of his patients, is fit and healthy. Harriett protests that she’s white when she shouldn’t be. Doc towers over her and says that if she doesn’t pay attention to the fitness of her own plump body instead of Cussy’s pretty one, she will never get a man. Angry and ashamed, Harriett retreats in tears to the bathroom.
Eula and Harriett react to white Cussy Mary the way they reacted to Blue Cussy, with revulsion and fear. This shows how baseless their discrimination is, and how long-lasting. Cussy’s blue skin wasn’t a good reason to treat her badly. But because they don’t care about treating Cussy well, Harriett and Eula will continue to find reasons to discriminate against her. Doc doesn’t help matters when he publicly shames Harriett, even though he’s trying to help Cussy.
Themes
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Loud enough for all to hear, Doc tells Cussy Mary that she’s looking “quite lovely today,” then leaves. Queenie demands her pay, rousing Eula from her shock. Cussy collects hers too, then meets Birdie and her baby at the door. Birdie also compliments Cussy’s beauty, but Harriett stalks up and hisses “A pig in lipstick is still a stinkin’ pig.” Cussy turns to face her, holding her gaze proudly to snatch back some of the humanity that Harriett has stolen.
Doc and Birdie, like Queenie, complement Cussy Mary on her beauty, but this is a new development. He didn’t call her lovely when she was blue, and so his comments just reinforce the idea that only whiteness is beautiful. It seems that Cussy is finally getting what she wants: inclusion, kindness, and human dignity. But the cost of others’ approval is very high.
Themes
