Summary and Analysis: Part II, pp. 166-242

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Summary
Miranda discovers a mysterious packet of herbs under her front porch and suspects that Ruby has been practicing hoodoo magic. She believes the spell is intended for Cocoa, who is soon arriving on the island with George.

Cocoa and George arrive shortly after this unsettling discovery for their first visit to Willow Springs as a couple. The trip begins with tension due to the expectations each has for the visit. George is frustrated because he feels unprepared; he hasn't been able to research the geography or climate of Willow Springs, nor devise a plan to win over the Day sisters. He is anxious about his lack of knowledge and the potential rejection from Cocoa's family. Meanwhile, Cocoa fears that her husband will see her differently after the trip. She worries that George will dislike what he sees in her or the island and that he will come to resent the “bond” she has with Willow Springs. However, the warm welcome and elaborate meal prepared by Miranda and Abigail upon their arrival help to alleviate some of the tension.

The atmosphere of hospitality helps everyone relax. George even manages to overlook a disturbing dream he had during his first night at the Day home, where he was drowning and unable to save his wife from an unseen danger. Instead of dwelling on the nightmare, George takes an early morning walk, causing Cocoa to panic over his extended absence. She recalls a strange dream from the previous night that mirrors George's nightmare, intensifying her fear. When George returns, Cocoa scolds him. George then distances himself from his wife and seeks comfort in Mama Day's company. Their visit continues with family conversations, evenings spent at neighbors' homes like Bernice and Ambush's, and nights in the comfort of Cocoa's old bedroom.

The calming routine of the visit rekindles Miranda's hope for the future. She envisions her yet-to-be-born nieces and nephews caring for her in her old age. This vision occurs the day before Miranda and George go hiking through the woods and fishing along the coastline. George returns exhausted, while Miranda feels proud of her ability to outwalk and outtalk him. Although the sisters seem to trust in George's goodness, they continue to test his endurance throughout the visit. After a night of playing poker and drinking from Buzzard’s still, Miranda and Abigail are particularly determined to keep George occupied and out of trouble with endless chores at home.

Cocoa, meanwhile, has grown increasingly impatient with both her family and her husband. She views George's manipulation with disdain. Her frustration with George's actions intensifies during a walk to another place. He constantly bombards her with questions about the reasons for putting moss in his shoes before entering the family graveyard, the different shapes of the headstones, and the truth behind the mysterious family history. The conversation shifts to George's vision of a future life on the island and Cocoa's refusal to join him if that vision comes to pass. She steers the discussion to a more pressing concern. Cocoa worries that she may not be able to conceive a child. She fears they may have waited too long to start a family and feels the issue is more urgent than George realizes. Unbeknownst to George, Cocoa hears "whispers" in the graveyard, with voices telling her that "she [will] break his heart."

Warnings eventually reach Miranda as well. One morning, while making pies, she suddenly senses impending death and notices clear signs of an approaching hurricane. This growing sense of unease spreads to George and Cocoa, leading to their "worst fight ever" as they...

(This entire section contains 1344 words.)

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prepare for a party in their honor. The argument starts with a discussion about Cocoa's light skin, which she tries to darken with makeup, and quickly escalates to George's past relationship with Shawn, his former white girlfriend. The fight culminates with Cocoa throwing a vase that injures George.

The party is a success for everyone except the guests of honor. Despite efforts from both Mama Day and Doctor Buzzard, Cocoa and George fail to reconcile. After a final attempt to placate George, Cocoa retreats to the front porch in frustration. Junior Lee follows her and drunkenly makes a pass at her. Cocoa flees just as Ruby arrives on the porch and overhears Junior Lee's feeble attempt to lie. The conflict between Cocoa and George continues through the evening and into the next morning as preparations for the impending storm begin.

Analysis
The first half of Part II focuses on the escalating conflict between Cocoa and George. The trip to Willow Springs acts as a catalyst, igniting the discord between the couple. The island serves as a primary symbol of the differences between Cocoa and George; their visit to the Days amplifies these differences and intensifies the existing tension in their relationship.

Before even leaving New York, George is already exasperated by Willow Springs. He can't find it on a map, let alone gather any information about it. The enigma of the place unsettles him, disrupting his practical nature. George is accustomed to being well-informed and prepared. He believes these traits are essential to his identity; they helped him survive the orphanage and build a successful career. However, on the island, such practical skills seem irrelevant. Unsurprisingly, George fears rejection from both Miranda and Abigail more than anything else upon arriving in Willow Springs. The journey challenges the core beliefs and assumptions that define his character.

Cocoa's concerns, like George's, revolve around the fear of rejection. She worries that the island will expose new aspects of her life that he might dislike and reject. This possibility amplifies her doubts. Cocoa particularly dreads that George might be excluded from both her family and the island, both of which are crucial to her. Her fear of the impotence he would feel in such a situation only adds to the tension between them, increasing the anxiety surrounding their arrival.

However, a shift in mood momentarily redirects the plot from conflict to contentment. The first week on the island is filled with gestures of goodwill and hope for the future. George feels accepted by the Days. The sisters, in turn, engage in a light-hearted game of testing him with endless chores and long walks. Even Miranda allows herself to dream of the nieces and nephews this man might finally bring into the family. Only Cocoa seems to notice signs of impending danger, such as the voices in the graveyard, her inability to conceive, and the recurring nightmare that both George and Cocoa experience. The fact that they unknowingly share the same dream becomes a clear indication that tragedy is inevitable. Despite efforts to ignore or prevent conflict, the brewing battles seem destined to unfold. This peaceful interlude is merely the calm before the storm.

The argument that eventually erupts between Cocoa and George is crucial because it not only returns the plot to its inevitable course but also highlights the central themes of the book: history and identity. Cocoa becomes upset while preparing for a party intended to welcome George into the community that night. She asks George to approve her makeup, which he thinks is too dark for her complexion. The comment triggers Cocoa's anger as she recalls George's past involvement with a white woman. The heated argument quickly escalates into humiliation; a vase is thrown, hitting and injuring George. He is forced to cover the wound with a dressing that, rather than hiding, advertises evidence of the fight.

The couple clearly cannot escape the scars of their past. Cocoa remains insecure about her light skin, while George continues to be insensitive to her need for reassurance. The introduction of race into their argument underscores the uncertainty of their future as a couple. Both characters are still grappling with their identities, especially after their marriage.

Given this context, their inability to resolve the conflict throughout the evening and into the following day is not surprising. Instead, the ongoing tension implies that stronger forces must intervene if they are to overcome their past issues and move forward together.

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Summary and Analysis: Part I, pp. 66-165

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Summary and Analysis: Part II and Conclusion, pp. 242-312

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