When Lily first arrives at the Boatwright's house, she comes upon the black Madonna. How does the black Madonna make Lily feel?

• A. She felt her glory and shame at the same time.
• B. She felt fear and resentment.
• C. She felt nothing at all.
• D. She felt joy and comfort.

Answer: (A)

The moment Lily meets the Black Madonna triggers a powerful mixture of awe and self-awareness. The statue represents beauty, sacred strength, and a sense of protection that feels larger than life—that’s the glory she senses. At the same time, she is confronted with her own vulnerability and guilt, the feeling of not fully belonging or deserving this grace, which brings on shame. This combination—inspiring reverence while pointing to her inner flaws and past hurts—is why she experiences both glory and shame at once. Other options miss this dual pull: fear or resentment isn’t the primary blend here, nor is indifference or mere comfort.