# Budda Ben — Scarlet Sister Mary character guide

> Budda Ben in Scarlet Sister Mary by Julia Peterkin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Budda, Crippled Budda Ben, Ben

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

Maum Hannah's crippled son, Budda Ben sits on his woodpile at night and speaks with a tenderness that cuts straight to Mary's proud heart.

## Who they are

Crippled in body but sharp in spirit, Budda Ben is both father and brother to Mary, the one person who sees through her pride without judging it. When she sends July away, Budda Ben names her flaw aloud — 'too proudful' — and takes her hand in his trembling ones. His quiet counsel anchors Mary's conscience through the choices that shape her life.

## Relationships

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

_family_

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

### [Maum Hannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/maum_hannah)

_social_

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

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

_family_

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

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

_family_

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

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

_family_

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

### [Maum Hannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/maum_hannah)

_social_

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

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

_family_

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

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

_family_

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

### [Maum Hannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/maum_hannah)

_social_

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

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/ii)

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

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

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

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xviii)

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

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

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

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxv)

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

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxvii)

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

## Links

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