How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Mother Barker was quiet for a minute. Then she said, "My mama and her mama before her knew certain things." (23.46)
Here, Mother Barker is referring to knowledge about healing—apparently Mother Barker didn't just up and teach herself all she knows one day, but instead it was passed down to her from her mother, who learned from her mother, in turn. And now Mother Barker wants to pass this knowledge on down to Abby, showing that sometimes family is about blood relation, but sometimes it's about being kindred spirits. In both cases, family is a source of information.
Quote #8
"I shall go where we all must go when my time here is over."
"But how can you speak of it?" Abby wondered aloud already feeling a sense of loss.
"I already talked it over with Barker. He's in agreement. The house will be yours."
Mother Barker registered the look of hurt and bewilderment in the young woman's eyes.
"You're the only child we have, Abby. Even if Patience did give you birth and Strong is your daddy." (25.18-22)
When Mother Barker dies, she and the foreman have agreed to leave their home to Abyssinia. They see her as their child, so they're passing their home onto her in order to set her up for her future as a healer. Aw.
Quote #9
"What about your girls? You've got to do something. Else they'll think that's what women are for—beating." (27.25)
Abyssinia implores Lily Norene to get herself away from her abusive husband, if not for herself then for her daughters who are growing up in a family in which women are used for little more than punching bags.