Junie

In the parlor one night, Junie watches as Bess drops a drink tray, and Beau flies into a rage. He knocks her to the ground and starts beating her. Junie is terrified that she’ll die but doesn’t know what to do.

Suddenly, Bea leaps between Beau and Bess, demanding that he stop. Beau kicks Bea, and she falls unconscious. Afterward, Violet and Junie tend to Bess’s and Bea’s wounds together.

Later that night, Violet again asks Junie to make amends. Junie refuses to give in, reminding her that as long as she’s Violet’s property, they can’t be friends.

Junie races outside and bumps into Caleb. They haven’t talked since the wedding, but he expresses concern for her. He’s surprised when she reveals that she refused to be Violet’s maid again. He then explains that Beau has been physically and sexually abusing Violet. Junie is shocked.

The next morning, Beau arranges a gathering on the porch. He informs everyone that he’s sending Bea back to New Orleans with Bess. Bea and Violet protest, but Beau refuses to change his mind. Junie and her family say goodbye to Bess through tears.

A distraught Junie races out to Old Mother, where she finds Caleb. They climb the tree together. At the top, they talk about what happened in December. Caleb admits that he “should’ve gone with [Junie]” when she asked him to run (311). He insists that he still loves her and wants to be with her.

Junie blurts out that she killed William. She also reveals everything that William did to Charlotte and Minnie and how Minnie really died. Caleb is understanding, and the two profess their love. They climb down from the tree and have sex. Afterward, they lie together and discuss their plans to escape. They decide to wait until the harvest, when Beau will be too distracted to notice them running.

Three weeks later, Beau announces that he is heading off to the war and bringing Caleb with him. Junie doesn’t fully understand the conflict between the Northern and Southern states but is terrified of losing Caleb. While cleaning the dining room, she finds a formal summons for Beau from his father. She races out to find Granddaddy and asks what’s happening. She explains how afraid she is of losing Caleb. Granddaddy opens up about his own grief and urges Junie to talk to Caleb.

Junie finds Caleb and insists that they run away together immediately. He refuses to discuss the matter while they’re in the house. Shortly thereafter, Junie overhears Innis suggesting that Beau leave Caleb behind. He refuses to listen.

That evening, Junie tends to Innis in her dressing room. She is intoxicated and starts talking to Junie about William’s relationship with Charlotte. She then reveals that she’s the one who sold Charlotte to keep her from William. She also burned Minnie’s freedom papers to hide her paternity. Junie is stunned into silence. Before she leaves, Innis accuses her of killing William.

Junie races down to the parlor and cries into a pillow. She suddenly realizes that not even her poetry can save her. All the poets she reads are white men who could never understand her life. Furious, she tears open the pillow and is horrified to discover that it’s filled with the hair of other enslaved people.

Violet appears, demanding to speak to Junie. Junie insists that she’s leaving for good. Violet reminds her that she’s risking her life but then says that she wants to go with Junie. Together, they light the house on fire so that they can flee. Minnie’s ghost appears and feeds the flames, causing the fire to spread too fast. Panicked, Violet races upstairs to save Innis. Junie follows. They try coaxing Innis out of her burning room, but she refuses to leave. She catches on fire and dies.

Junie guides a distraught Violet out of the burning house. Once they’re safely outside, they part ways. Violet apologizes to Junie for everything, thanking her for her friendship. She then leaves to go find Bea.

Junie races to the cabin to tell her family what’s happening. They’re relieved that the house is destroyed and that their enslavers are dead. However, Marilla, Granddaddy, and Muh are reluctant to leave their home. They urge Junie to leave with Caleb.

After a tearful goodbye, Junie finds Caleb. They race through the woods together, determined to catch the boat on the river. They’re shocked when they bump into Beau on the riverbank holding a gun. He apprehends Caleb but doesn’t see Junie. Caleb urges her to go ahead without him. He then kicks over his lantern so that Beau catches on fire. Junie races to the boat.

Just as the boatman greets her, Beau shoots and kills him. Minnie’s ghost begs Junie to row to safety, assuring her that Caleb will find her. As Junie rows away, she waits to hear “the crack of [a] bullet,” but it “never comes” (350).

Junie tells Minnie that she wants to turn back, but Minnie convinces her to keep going. As she races down the river, she thinks about her family. She tells herself that she’ll make it to Uncle George’s and that Caleb will find her.