The Brownstone

Jerkins utilizes the Melancon brownstone as a symbol for the caul bearing tradition. Throughout the novel, the house crumbles and deteriorates despite Maman’s efforts to repair the cracks in the walls and holes in the ceilings. Similarly, the younger generation of Melancon women question the caul selling tradition. Despite Maman’s efforts to continue the practice created by her grandmother, Josephine, Iris, and Hallow push back against the tradition.

The Spearheads

The spearheads in front of the Melancon house symbolize the pain they inflict upon the Harlem community by denying Black women the caul. In the same manner that the Melancons paint over the blood stains left by Laila, when she clings to the gate after miscarrying, they attempt to ignore the fact that their caul selling tradition has marginalized women in the community. Women like Laila still carry the pain of losing children...