Mary Jane

Because Mrs. Cone is such an inept homemaker, it stands to reason that cooking would be a prominent motif in the novel. Meal preparation becomes Mary Jane’s domain, and it relates to the theme of Choosing an Identity. In the Dillard household, cooking is a fraught issue. Mrs. Dillard never allows her daughter to prepare a meal unsupervised. Mary Jane’s role is to assist but never to take charge. Denying the ability of a teenager to cook dinner is a covert way of denying Mary Jane other forms of self-determination. Mrs. Dillard makes the rules in life and the kitchen, and Mary Jane is expected to obey. Presumably, this level of oversight will cease once Mary Jane has been thoroughly indoctrinated in the proper way of doing things.

By lying to her mother and cooking solo for the Cones, Mary Jane is breaking all the rules. However, taking care of the Cones and their guests gives her a sense of confidence, especially when they are so appreciative of her efforts. The girl begins to think of herself as responsible and capable of acting on her own. The simple act of baking a pot roast suggests that she might be trusted to use her best judgment in other matters too.