him that he has done that kind of work. Bynum claims he can see a person's song written on them, but when he looks at Herald, he sees a man who has forgotten his song. According to Bynum, forgetting his song means Herald has forgotten who he is and his purpose in life. This is why Bynum believes Herald once worked on Joe Turner’s chain gang and is now searching for his lost song. Initially, Herald rejects Bynum’s insight, insisting he is not a marked man. However, as Bynum continues to sing the Joe Turner song, Herald begins to share his story. In 1901, Joe Turner captured him along with other men. Herald had been walking just outside Memphis when he was seized. Turner took him away when Herald's daughter was just a baby, and he was held for seven years. When Herald was finally freed, he returned to the place where he and his wife, Martha, had been sharecroppers. However, Martha had left their daughter with her mother and vanished. Herald tells Bynum and Seth that he and his daughter, Zonia, have been searching for Martha for the past four years. He just wants to see his wife’s face to find a starting point for reclaiming his place in the world. He explains that he has been wandering in somebody else’s world for too long and now seeks to find his wife and create his own world. Herald asks Bynum why a powerful man like Joe Turner would want him. Bynum explains that men like Joe Turner aim to steal other men’s songs. Turner made Herald forget his song, but Bynum reassures him that he still has it; he just needs to remember how to sing it. As Bynum speaks, Herald realizes that Bynum is one of the "bones people" from his vision, indicating that Bynum himself is a former slave.

The following morning, the scene opens once more in the kitchen, where Bertha is busy with her usual tasks. Bynum and Mattie are seated at the table. Bynum reassures Mattie that the good luck charm he gave her is effective, though sometimes good fortune is hard to recognize. Bynum heads upstairs as Herald enters. Bertha cautions Mattie against getting too involved in Bynum’s practices and advises her not to worry about losing Jeremy. Bertha mentions that she had a feeling about Molly from the start, suspecting that Molly was the type to run off with Jeremy. However, Bertha believes Molly is merely using Jeremy to avoid being alone. Bertha also tells Mattie that Jeremy was too immature for her and advises that she needs a man with more understanding. Similar to Bynum, though in different words, Bertha reassures Mattie that her time will come. After Seth and Bertha leave the kitchen, Herald and Mattie begin to converse. Mattie expresses her hope that Herald will find his wife. Herald explains that finding his wife is essential for him to discover his starting place in life and a world where he belongs. Mattie shares that she has also never felt like she fits in but believes one must start from where they currently are. They discuss the loss of their partners, Martha Loomis and Jack Carper. Throughout this conversation, Herald finds himself increasingly drawn to Mattie. He confides that she has become a part of his thoughts and that he knows she is thinking of him as well. He approaches her and touches her awkwardly yet gently, realizing he has forgotten how to touch a woman.

Analysis
In Scene One, the stark contrast between Mattie and Molly is highlighted, making them serve as foils to each other. A foil is a literary device used to accentuate the distinctive traits of a character through contrast. Mattie is portrayed as dependent, lonely, and yearning for long-term companionship. She seems static, not inclined to travel or migrate. In contrast, Molly is depicted as independent, claiming she doesn’t need a man or a job. She exudes more self-confidence and self-sufficiency. While Mattie is trusting, Molly asserts that she only trusts God. The two women appear to be opposites, each emphasizing the other's contrasting qualities. However, Mattie seems more stable, holding a job and paying her own way, whereas Molly refuses to work and decides to run away with Jeremy only after he promises she will never have to work. Despite her past heartbreaks, Mattie remains capable of love, unlike Molly, who claims she loves no one but her mother. For all her strengths, Molly appears to need financial support, while Mattie is financially independent, even if reluctantly.

Herald’s story of being kidnapped, separated from his family, and forced into illegal labor on a chain gang reveals that, even after the abolition of slavery, black people endured dehumanizing conditions. This traumatic experience led Herald to lose his identity—his song. Bynum empathizes with Herald's loss, having experienced a similar loss of identity. Just as Bynum’s father helped him reclaim his identity by restoring his song, Bynum is now trying to help Herald recover his song and, consequently, his identity.

Interestingly, Mattie is a central focus of this act and also the character who voices the most wisdom. With Jeremy having run off with Molly, Mattie is left behind. Scene Three begins with Bynum and Bertha each offering their own advice to help Mattie find peace after her recent loss. They counsel her to be patient, suggesting that something good will eventually come her way if she waits and recognizes it when it arrives. Bynum’s and Bertha’s advice serves as foreshadowing; the beginning of the scene sets the stage for the end, where Herald appears to be the "good luck" Mattie has been waiting and hoping for.

Herald’s clumsy attempt to court Mattie follows the advice given by Bynum and Bertha. However, at this stage in the play, Herald remains lost within himself. The recovery of his identity and song, along with his ability to genuinely see and love another woman for who she is, is still hindered by his quest to find his missing wife.

Herald firmly believes that he must locate Martha to find his direction in life. Mattie, on the other hand, offers the more insightful perspective that one must begin from their current position. Essentially, Herald needs to recognize himself, reassess his circumstances, and start finding his place in the world from his present situation, rather than pursuing someone else or basing his sense of self on the search for his wife.

It seems that many other characters in this play, such as Jeremy and Molly, could also benefit from this advice.