What's in a name?

The main character in the novel Lucy was given the name "Lucy Josephine Potter." For each part, she had some kind of explanation- Josephine was for a rich uncle who ended up penniless, Potter most likely had its roots in an English family who once owned her ancestors as slaves and Lucy had a very special origin. As Lucy retells the story, she claims that her mother said, "I named you after Satan himself. Lucy, short for Lucifer. What a botheration from the moment you were conceived." (page 152)

I find that explanation interesting, heartbreaking and a bit ironic. The name "Lucy" is of Latin origin and means "light," something which is the exact opposite of the images evoked at the mention of Satan. Saint Lucy is the patroness of sight. I think the character Lucy was properly named- through her coming of age throughout the novel, she sheds light upon many things: her desire for independence, the truth about Mariah, Lewis, Peggy and Paul. She is able to see things clearly as they are, without trying to disguise the truth.

Interested in what your name means? Go to www.name-meanings.com to find out!

Brutal Honesty

In reading the first part of Lucy, I was intrigued by her naivete and her bluntness, in both thoughts and actions. Though the old adage says "The truth shall set you free," in some cases, it doesn't need to be quite as harsh as Lucy reacts to her new 'family' in the city. One scene that struck me was the daffodil scene when Mariah takes Lucy to her favorite spot in the spring. Though Lucy is taken aback by the sight before her, when she hears the flowers are daffodils, she is disgusted and offended that Mariah would even think to bring her there. Her frustration stems from her feelings over the poem she had to memorize about the flowers when she was younger. I'm not sure how I would react to that kind of situation, but with my generally optimistic attitude, I would venture a guess that I would not have acted like Lucy. What do you think? Was she justified in her anger? Or was she overreacting? Do you feel it might have reminded her of her past and upset her because she was feeling homesick?