How did Ruby and Lawrence endure the tragedies that were inflicted upon them? What kept them connected to their hometown, instead of seeking a new life elsewhere?

How did Ruby and Lawrence endure the tragedies that were inflicted upon them? What do you believe kept them connected to their hometown, instead of seeking a new life outside the South, despite the systemic racism they faced?

They endured by building a life together. I think they stayed because of their connection to Delphi and the fact that she died there, but also because it was their home, the place they were rooted to.

A place is more than just the people who make up the community. I think when you connect to a place, especially in your early years, it becomes part of you. Maybe for Ruby and Lawrence, leaving Beaufort would mean losing a part of themselves and the memory of Delphi.

I think that the family history of the place was a strong motivation for staying. It's almost like straying with your ancestors. It may also be a sense of not allowing themselves to be forced to leave. Racism, death, crime, etc can happen anywhere, in Beaufort they had a strong community and that helped them endure.

Ruby and Lawrence were like family to Marshall and Carol Green. The men had fished together for years. Ruby had helped the Green family with food preparation; Ruby even had a key to their house. Their relationship was highly unusual for that time period. The South would never accept the interracial relationship they had. They loved the town of Beaufort and wanted to be around the people they loved and the schools they loved. Marshall lost a sister in Beaufort and probably wanted to stay near her. She had been killed and the murderer was still a question. They also thought that Marshall and Delphi were in love with each other at one time.