# Brer Dee — Scarlet Sister Mary character guide

> Brer Dee in Scarlet Sister Mary by Julia Peterkin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Brer Dee, Doll, Kind old Brer Dee

**First appearance:** 0004-iii

## Snapshot

The oldest deacon of the church, whose shaggy white eyebrows and long memory make him a living witness to every wedding, burial, and scandal on the plantation.

## Who they are

Brer Dee stands beside Reverend Duncan at Mary's wedding, one of the few elders whose presence anchors the community's sacred and social rituals. His age gives him a quiet authority that younger voices like Doll's cannot claim, and his stories carry the plantation's history forward. When the women argue over Mary's waywardness, his steady witness reminds them that judgment and mercy have long coexisted here.

## Relationships

### [Mary Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/mary_pinesett)

_social_

Brer Dee is a community elder and neighbor who interacts with Mary in the daily life of the plantation settlement.

### [Andrew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/andrew)

_social_

Andrew and Brer Dee are acquaintances within the same social circle, interacting in communal settings.

### [Mary Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/mary_pinesett)

_social_

Brer Dee is a community elder and neighbor who interacts with Mary in the daily life of the plantation settlement.

### [Andrew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/andrew)

_social_

Andrew and Brer Dee are acquaintances within the same social circle, interacting in communal settings.

### [Mary Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/mary_pinesett)

_social_

Brer Dee is a community elder and neighbor who interacts with Mary in the daily life of the plantation settlement.

### [Andrew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/andrew)

_social_

Andrew and Brer Dee are acquaintances within the same social circle, interacting in communal settings.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/iv)

The oldest deacon, who announces the wedding presents and helps with the ceremony.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/vii)

Leads the hymn and reads the Christmas story from the Book.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/x)

July's sister; encourages Mary to defy July and go to Grab-All, advising her to be assertive.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xiii)

Leads the prayer meeting, lines out hymns, and preaches on Moses and Pharaoh.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xix)

Budda suggests Brer Dee make the crutches instead of Andrew.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxii)

Confronts Mary harshly about her sins and children, representing the judgmental faction among the midwives.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxiii)

Doll becomes hysterical during the picture of Hell, jumping and shouting, requiring help from Mary and Big Boy.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxiv)

Visits to inquire about Mary and is told by Maum Hannah that Mary had triplets.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxxi)

Helps Seraphine with the babies and promises to wash the bedclothes in the morning.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxxii)

Head deacon who insists Mary needs a new baptism despite her vision; reads from the Book and prays for guidance.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxxii)

Nervous during the meeting, agrees with Brer Dee about rebaptism, prompting Mary's pity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/brer_dee
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters