How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Every day one of them would take up the sentry of mercy, would stand gazing down with abundant compassion and assurance at the bewildered child.
When looking, each woman imagined a miracle. Mother Barker imagined the flower ceremonies of spring. Patience imagined the sparkle in a bird's throat. Mother Barker saw a fierce, abiding affection tempered by the fire flickering from the sacred shrine of her heart. Patience meditated on energy from the indelible spirit stored beneath the rich colors of her skin and hair. (9.56-57)
There are balms and shots and such to help Abyssinia's body recover from the violence of rape, but to nurture her spirit takes something else entirely. To combat the spiritual violence against her, Mother Barker and Patience hold fast to hope, envisioning it for Abby when she is at her weakest.
Quote #5
"But you haven't got me fooled. What you need is some kind of punishment. They got you laying up here in bed, treating you like you're sick. Give me a chance, I'll straighten you out. Give me two minutes alone with you, I'll fix you. We'll see just how sick you really are." (10.11)
Trembling Sally never misses an opportunity to threaten or attack Abyssinia. We explore this in more detail over in the "Madness" section, but we have to give Trembling Sally a shout-out here since she definitely pulls her weight when it comes to violence as a theme in this book.
Quote #6
One of them said, "I don't know how Brother Jacobs could hurt that innocent child."
"And his wife took it hard."
"Took Sister Jacobs a long time to choose a husband."
"See how he do her."
"She look for sun, she find shade."
"A bone-chilling shade. Near about killed her when she found out, the shock." (13.45-50)
We often think of the victims of violence as being the direct recipients, but here we see how violence impacts others, too. Abyssinia was Brother Jacobs's target, but Sister Jacobs, his wife, is wounded by his actions, too.