Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Delphine

We're using "guide mentor" loosely here, but the fact is that somebody has to show Tilly how to tie her bonnet just right, and it isn't going to be Mama. Tilly looks up to Delphine, who has self-confidence and style she can only dream about:

"Delphine? On me?"

"It's in your walk, a little. And you're tidier about your hair. You don't look so much like you was dragged backwards through a brush-fence." (7.49-50)

Awesome. Thanks, Mama.

Calinda

Calinda is a true mentor to Cass, who feels very much alone in her visions until she meets Calinda. Calinda and Cass are both women of few words, and Tilly sees their relationship from the outside, so we don't know the particulars, but we see Cass tagging along after Calinda through Tilly's eyes: "Cass didn't find the time to mope and mourn now she had Calinda. Calinda was the sister Cass needed" (6.18). With the friendship of an older girl who understands her gift instead of thinking she's mad, Cass blooms. Yay.