The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions prejudice.

Cussy Mary sees her blue skin as the defining factor that isolates her from the larger community, notably the people within the town. It is a characteristic that her father sees as dangerous, and he encourages her to get tested by Doc to see if her skin could turn white, as he sees this as safer. Cussy Mary is pleased when her skin becomes white, even though it makes her sick. However, as she realizes that people’s reactions to her remain unchanged no matter what the color of her skin is, she decides to return to her blueness. In this sense, blueness symbolizes difference within the world of the novel. When she believes herself to be the last of the Blues, Cussy Mary wishes she were like everyone else. However, when Honey, the Blue baby, is put in her care, she swears to protect her from the kind of hate she herself has experienced as a result of being different.

The courting candle symbolizes Cussy Mary’s marital status. Pa sets it out at the beginning of the novel to show that she is open to suitors and to indicate the amount of time they can stay, illustrating his desire to get her married—even if it means she will marry someone she does not love.