The Tobacco Wives

Maddie’s curly auburn hair is a symbol of her transformation into an independent woman. In the beginning of the novel, Maddie listens to Momma’s requests and covers her hair with a handkerchief because Momma says that it’s a painful reminder of her husband who shared the same striking hair color. Unlike other mother-daughter relationships that Maddie has witnessed in which mothers compliment their daughters, Maddie feels shame about her looks and is encouraged to hide them away. Myers uses the symbol of Maddie’s hair, and her physical appearance in general, to establish Maddie’s initial subservience to the expectations of others.

Maddie was also teased in school for her red hair and is deeply self-conscious about it. Once in Bright Leaf, she is free of her mother’s control and already stands out as an outsider, so she decides to accept her hair and her differences. When Anthony encourages her to tame her wild hair before a dress fitting, she adamantly refuses, telling him that she’d rather “eat dirt than wear a kerchief” (131). This acceptance represents an evolution; now that she is in Bright Leaf, she realizes that her hair is something of which to be proud. Myers uses her hair as a physical representation of Maddie’s bourgeoning individuality and acceptance of herself.