Where the Lilies Bloom

The Luther family’s interactions are the heart of the novel. Mary Call’s relationships with her father, Romey, and Devola are the most prominent features of the book. These connections are characterized not by one emotion but by a complex array of feelings and motivations. The text suggests that families should not be governed by strict hierarchies but allow for the evolving needs and desires of each member.

Mary Call’s relationships undergo significant changes throughout the novel as she learns to re-examine her assumptions and beliefs about family. At first, Mary Call exhibits an implicit belief that family dynamics are static rather than ever evolving. She assumes that the promises Roy Luther demands are sensible, right, and permanent, seemingly because he is their father and the head of household. She also inherits his points of view; for example, she shares her father’s belief that Devola is too simple-minded to carry out more mature, complex rites of passage such as moving away and marriage. She hardly ever asks advice from Devola, nor solicits her opinion. While Mary Call does speak about family matters with Romey, she is also mindful of the fact that he is 10 years old. She often notices his warring emotions and worried tone, making her believe that he is not able to be relied upon nor capable of contributing in a meaningful, adult way.

As the novel progresses and hardships compile, Mary Call further isolates and turns herself away from her siblings and sees little value in what they have to offer. She becomes more outspoken, mean, and dismissive. She continues to call Devola “cloudy-headed,” even though Devola cooks all of their meals, looks after Ima Dean, and expertly drives a car. She resents Romey’s displays of emotion, thinking them weak, childish, and feminine. She does not show grace toward her siblings, nor does she think she can outsource any real intellectual task to them. She sees the onus as being solely on herself, which is partly the fault of Roy Luther and his mandated promises. He has instilled the value of loyalty into the family—one that Mary Call takes highly, as she is motivated often out of a fear of her family being separated—but he oversimplifies their dynamics and places too much on Mary Call’s shoulders.

With the help of the people around her, Mary Call is able to make sense of her new world, one that is not structured by her father’s beliefs and dictated hierarchies. Both Devola and Romey communicate their hurt feelings with Mary Call and try to show her how she has changed for the worse. These attempts do not immediately work; it is not until Mary Call sees Devola wrapping Romey’s ankle that she considers that she and her father have done a great disservice to Devola, believing her capable of so little. Devola also insists on getting married, and Mary Call realizes that Devola is able to choose a partner, fall in love, and live outside of the house. Mary Call sheds her reliance on Roy Luther’s promises and his worldview.

The authors show that family bonds are complex in that they are never stagnant; families undergo ruptures, and they also find adaptations that can be uncomfortable or appear as forms of disloyalty. Through the Luther family, the Cleavers illustrate how individuals and their relationships grow and change, whether due to the natural course of maturity or through new experiences. Values like loyalty and faith are expressed in different, unfamiliar ways. The complexity of family bonds also means choosing those who are living over those who are dead. In the end, Mary Call chooses to embrace life.