Editor's Choice
How long has it been since Mr. Berry was burned when Mama takes Cassie and her brothers to meet him?
Quick answer:
When Mama takes Cassie and her brothers to meet Mr. Berry, it has been about two months since he was burned. The burning occurred the night before the first day of school in early September, and the visit happens around the end of October. During the visit, Mr. Berry is described as severely scarred and burned, indicating that while some healing has occurred, his injuries are still significant and sensitive.
On the first day of school, T.J. tells Cassie and her brothers that some white men burned Mr. Berry and his nephews on the night before. At the beginning of Chapter 3, the author writes that rains arrive at the end of October. Around this time, Mama takes Cassie and her brothers to see Mr. Berry, who is described in the following way: "A still form lay there staring at us with glittering eyes. The face had no nose, and the head no hair; the skin was scarred, burned, and the lips were wizened black, like charcoal." Mama tells her children that the Wallaces poured kerosene over Mr. Berry and two of his nephews and then lit them on fire. One nephew died, and the other looks like Mr. Berry. Mama warns her children not to go to the Wallaces' store because they are bad people. If school begins at...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
the beginning of September, it's been a about two months since Mr. Berry was burned when Cassie and her brothers visit him.Â
The text does not really specify the time that has elapsed since Mr. Berry was burned, but we can assume it has been a little while because Mrs. Berry states in chapter four that "the fire has burned him too bad. But he understands all right." She also covers him and he cannot stand any clothes touching him (supposedly, since she uses a sheet). It seems like his wounds are healed over, but still sensitive. Further though, a little while later when the children are back on the road, Mama says
'The Wallaces did that, children. They poured kerosene over Mr. Berry and his nephews and lit them afire. One of the nephews died, the other one is just like Mr. Berry.' She allowed all this information to penetrate the silence , then went on. 'Everyone knows they did it, but nothing was ever done.'
From this the reader can conclude that some time has elapsed, or at least some time so that the black community had enough time to figure out who the perpetrator was and to draw some conclusions. Mr. Berry also talks to Mama, which indicates that his pain is present, but bearable. The first mention of the nephew's death is ,of course, made in chapter two during the church service.