Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Group

Question:

connor09
connor09
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What does the question "But why, Cassie?" tell us about Lillian Jean?

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Posted by connor09 on Monday September 7, 2009 at 7:35 AM and tagged with about lillian jean, ch8, roll of thunder, hear my cry.

Answers:


  1. grammargator Teacher
    Middle School

    eNotes Editor

    This is indeed a telling remark. The relationship between Cassie and Lillian Jean is very different from each girl's point of view. Earlier in the story, Cassie is humiliated when she is forced to step off the sidewalk to make room for the white girl, Lillian Jean. Cassie plots her revenge by pretending to be sweet and subservient to Lillian Jean, who is thrilled to have a "little black friend."

    When Cassie lures Lillian Jean into the woods and smashes her books on the ground, the white girl is genuinely stunned. After the two fight, and Cassie is feeling triumphant, Lillian Jean remarks, "But, Cassie, why? You was such a nice little girl..." Lillian Jean cannot see the situation from Cassie's point of view. Then it is Cassie's turn to be "astonished...not wanting to believe that Lillian Jean didn't even realize it had all been just a game."

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/roll-thunder-qn

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    Posted by grammargator on Monday September 7, 2009 at 9:41 AM