Scarlet Sister Mary · Chapter
Chapter XX explained
Mary tries to cheer up Budda Ben after his expulsion from church, while Maum Hannah prepares to attend a midwife class at Heaven's Gate Church, enforcing a new law from white folks.
What happens
Mary tries to cheer up Budda Ben after his expulsion from church, while Maum Hannah prepares to attend a midwife class at Heaven's Gate Church, enforcing a new law from white folks. Mary's lighthearted joking about midwifery and childbirth is met with Maum Hannah's stern rebuke and warnings about sin and God's plagues. Despite Mary's promises to change, Maum Hannah expresses deep sorrow for Mary's spiritual state, urging her to pray and repent before it is too late.
Themes in this chapter
Community and Tradition
The chapter contrasts traditional midwifery practices with new state-imposed methods, showing the community's resistance to change and the role of elders like Maum Hannah in preserving customs.
Sin and Redemption
Maum Hannah repeatedly warns Mary about sin and God's plagues, urging her to repent and seek salvation, while Mary promises to change but remains hesitant, illustrating the ongoing struggle between sin and redemption.
Characters to notice
- Mary Pinesett
Mary attempts to cheer Budda Ben, jokes about midwifery, and promises Maum Hannah she will change her sinful ways, though she remains defiant about her own resilience in childbirth.
- Maum Hannah
Maum Hannah is preparing to attend a midwife class at Heaven's Gate Church, hobbling with a crippled knee. She sternly rebukes Mary's joking about midwifery and warns her about God's plagues and the danger of sin.
- Budda Ben
Budda Ben is glum and downhearted after being turned out of church the previous day. He curses the children of Andrew and is unmoved by Mary's attempts to cheer him.
Key passages
“Don’ fret, Auntie, please don’ fret. Me an’ Ben ain’ gwine to be lost. No. We is gwine to seek an’ pray in plenty o’ time. All-two o’ we is gwine to set right beside you in Heaven some o’ these days.”
Mary comforts Maum Hannah by promising that she and Ben will eventually repent and join her in Heaven.
Mary's reassurance reflects her conflicted state—she intends to change but keeps delaying repentance.
“You better pray before Gawd plagues you again. De next plaguin might be de worst one ever was.”
Maum Hannah warns Mary that God will send further afflictions if she does not repent, and the next one could be even more severe.
This warning ties to Maum Hannah's belief that Keepsie's lost leg and Unex's departure are divine punishments meant to drive Mary to salvation.
“I was just a-playin, Auntie. I wouldn’ hurt Budda’s feelins, not for gold. ’E knows I’m just a-plaguin him.”
Mary apologizes to Maum Hannah for joking about midwifery, insisting she meant no harm to Budda Ben.
Mary's playful nature clashes with Maum Hannah's serious view of midwifery as sacred work.