The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“‘Who would marry a Blue? Who would want me?’ I was positive no one would wed one of the Blue People of Kentucky.” 

At the beginning of the book, Cussy Mary has internalized the prejudice surrounding her. She truly believes that nobody would actually want to marry her because of her blue skin. As she gains confidence as a member of the community, she eventually accepts Jackson Lovett’s proposal.

“Pa buried him out in the yard under a tall pine along with my courting candle.” 

When Charlie Frazier dies, Pa’s hopes for Cussy Mary’s marriage (that she will be respectable and protected) die as well. The burial of the candle represents his setting this wish aside. Later, he puts out a new courting candle for Jackson Lovett. 

“Being able to return to the books was a sanctuary for my heart. And a joy bolted free, lessening my own grievances, forgiving spent youth and dying dreams lost to a hard life, the hard land, and to folks’ hard thoughts and partialities.” 

Cussy Mary and many of the patrons on her route find solace in the books she delivers. These lines illustrate the extent to which the books provide comfort and escape both for her and for other people in the area. It is through their shared pastime of reading that they create a supportive community.