How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
Meridian was conscious always of a feeling of guilt, even as a child. Yet she did not know of what she might be guilty. (1.4.1)
Nobody likes to feel like this. You could attribute to this to a few things—her mother's resentment of her children, the oppression she feels as a person of color, or her mistreatment at the hands of unsavory dudes. Meridian has had a crazy life—she should write a book about it—oh, wait…
Quote #2
It was for stealing her mother's serenity, for shattering her mother's emerging self, that Meridian felt guilty [...] though she was unable to understand how this could possibly be her fault. (1.4.9)
Well, that explains it. Mrs. Hill was originally a lot like her daughter, Meridian. She was a proudly independent woman eager to fulfill her dreams. Like Meridian, she only married and had children out of naivety and insecurity. Although Meridian doesn't entirely understand this yet, she'll come to understand these struggles all too well.
Quote #3
"I never said either side was innocent or guilty, just ignorant. They've been a part of it, we've been a part of it, everybody's been a part of it for a long time." (1.6.20)
While Mrs. Hill has a narrow view of history, Mr. Hill is obsessed with how the past affects the present. In his view, there are no good guys and no bad guys—everyone deserves a share of the blame. Mrs. Hill would do well to take this lesson and apply it to her life, if you ask us.