Budda Ben

Mary Pinesett

Budda Ben is Mary's father-in-law, a stern and respected elder who often judges Mary's choices.

Maum Hannah

Budda Ben and Maum Hannah are community elders who interact with mutual respect and occasional disagreement.

July Pinesett

Budda Ben is July's father, often defending or admonishing his son's behavior toward Mary.

Mary Pinesett

Budda Ben is Mary's father-in-law, a stern and respected elder who often judges Mary's choices.

Mary Pinesett

Budda Ben is Mary's father-in-law, a stern and respected elder who often judges Mary's choices.

Maum Hannah

Budda Ben and Maum Hannah are community elders who interact with mutual respect and occasional disagreement.

July Pinesett

Budda Ben is July's father, often defending or admonishing his son's behavior toward Mary.

July Pinesett

Budda Ben is July's father, often defending or admonishing his son's behavior toward Mary.

Maum Hannah

Budda Ben and Maum Hannah are community elders who interact with mutual respect and occasional disagreement.

II

Budda Ben is crippled from infancy, bitter, and hates July; he wants Mary to marry June.

III

Budda Ben is Maum Hannah's crippled son, who has been like a father and brother to Mary. He is asleep during the morning's events.

XIII

Sits brooding on the woodpile, refuses to help Mary, and scolds her for marrying July.

XIV

Stays with Mary, gives her firm advice to forget July and live again, and teaches her the proper way to smoke a pipe.

XVII

Budda is initially angry and unforgiving toward Mary for having Seraphine, but after being tricked into holding the baby, he softens and becomes the only one who can calm her.

XVIII

Has worshiped Seraphine since she was a baby, giving her things Mary refuses and paying for her schooling.

XIX

Budda is furious and heartbroken after being turned out of the church, curses the deacons, and eventually cries.

Chapter XX

Budda Ben is glum and downhearted after being turned out of church the previous day. He curses the children of Andrew and is unmoved by Mary's attempts to cheer him.

XXI

Defends Mary against the Quarter women, argues against church hypocrisy, and shares a deep bond with Mary based on mutual defiance and expected damnation.

XXIII

Budda Ben accompanies Mary to church, expresses fear of lightning and glass windows, and helps her leave during the storm. He is terrified by Mary's labor pains in the buggy.

XXV

Mentioned as someone who loves Seraphine and whose eyes 'ain' big enough to see you.'

XXVII

Budda Ben sits on his woodpile, comforts Mary, and acknowledges her prideful nature.