Which statement about motherhood is highlighted in the narrative?

• A. Motherhood can be found in chosen families and supportive communities.
• B. Motherhood is defined solely by biology.
• C. Biological mothers hold all authority.
• D. Motherhood is irrelevant.

Answer: (A)

Motherhood in the story is about nurture, guidance, and presence, not just biology. The narrative shows Lily forming deep, mother-like bonds with August Boatwright and the other women, who care for her, teach her, and give her a sense of belonging. This demonstrates that motherhood can come from a chosen family and a supportive community—people who step in to provide love and protection when biological parents aren’t the ones shaping a child’s life. That relational, communal care is the heart of what motherhood looks like in the book.

The ideas that motherhood is defined solely by biology, that biological mothers hold all authority, or that motherhood is irrelevant don’t fit the story, which centers on how care and guidance from a caring community shape Lily’s sense of family and belonging.