Discuss the significance of Ben Daisy and the woman in the river.

Why did the author write about Ben’s story of the fascination with the river woman? Did it add anything to the book’s narrative?

I found the way that Cathy treated and documented her treatment of Ben Daisy to be interesting. I think Ben Daisy’s belief in the River lady and Libertie’s belief in spirits did not add to the novel.

As I recall Ben Daisy’s ‘story’ was the first time that Libertie became intensely interested in something outside of her mother’s work. I think it helped Libertie envision a world beyond her routine, and feel more comfortable befriending others who were ‘different’, like the Graces. I don’t think the amount of space given to Ben Daisy was necessary and actually a bit bizarre.

I felt Ben Daisy and the River woman was important to the story to show the reality of the reconstruction period after the war in terms of the determination of freed backs to build a free and safe community for themselves. It showed the realities of the trauma caused by slavery that are not easily solved with just being freed. Ben had very serious mental health issues caused by the trauma of slavery that could not be cured by arriving in a safe and free black community and Liberty, living in that community was having trouble trying to find her spiritual purpose in life and so gravitated to Ben’s dead Daisy as a mythical River person who was someone safe to discuss and ponder her freedom and purpose with.

Jos’s perspective is enlightening.

I think despite her very real familial trauma, this was the first thing that likely really "stuck" with her throughout life. This was a very surreal and traumatic event for someone so young (and let's be real, naive). I think despite it being a bizarre piece of the story, it did shape Libertie.