Lily Dialectical Journal

Chapter 1, Page 3
“That night I lay in bed and thought about dying and going to be with my mother in paradise. I would meet her saying, “Mother, forgive. Please forgive,” and she would kiss my skin till it grew chapped and tell me I was not to blame.”

This quote reveals Lily’s thoughts about death as a result of the bee invasion in her room. She says she is to blame about her mother’s death and her father blames her as well. She wants to be in Heaven or “paradise” because of these thoughts. She believes it would be somewhat appealing to her if she could ask for forgiveness from her mom in Heaven.

Chapter 1, Page 2
“July 1, 1964, I lay in bed waiting for the bees to show up, thinking of what Rosaleen had said when I told her about their nightly

She is free and seen as a more confident and tenacious woman. She begins to do things she never thought of doing. She begins to have more confidence in herself.
Chapter 3, Page 63
“I realized it for the first time in my life: there is nothing but mystery in the world, how it hides behind the fabric of our poor, browbeat days, shining brightly and we don't even know it.”
When traveling, Lily discovers what people are like in the world. Lily knows what pain feels like and how it affects her. Not everyone can see pain through someone, but Lily begins to see it in other people because she has experienced it.
Chapter 3, Page 58
“The only Mary story we talked about was the wedding story-the time she persuaded her son, practically against his will, to manufacture wine in the kitchen out of plain water.”

Lily expresses that a black Mary was never mentioned in her church. This explains the prejudice in the world and how it has always been that way. Lily begins to reflect on why her mother held a picture of a Black Mary. The Black Mary will lead her to the Boatwrights where she finds out how powerful the Black Mary

She is worshipped by the Daughters of Mary (August, June, May and neighbors/friends). August is seen as the leader and resemblance of the Black Mary because she shares all of the same qualities. I believe if Lily would look to see what’s in front of her then she will see that her future will be clear. August is the answer and the woman who will mold Lily into the woman she needs to become.

Chapter 5, Page 88
“There was no difference between my piss and June’s. Thats what I thought when I looked at the dark circle on the ground. Piss was piss.”

Lily is very irritated because June is obnoxious about Lily’s skin color and the fact that Lily is staying in her house. June prefers that Lily not touch the Black Mary whom they praise. So, Lily runs into the forest and pees. In the forest, she looks down and notices that her pee is the same as June’s. Lily is white and June is black but they are both human. They shouldn't be defined because of their skin color.

Chapter 5, Page 87
“The last thing I want is to scare her off with a lot of questions. She’ll tell us when she’s ready. Let’s be patient. “But she’s white