How does Cassie get revenge on Lillian Jean Simms in “Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry”?
dymatsuoka eNotes Editor Lillian Jean Simms truly believes that as a white girl, she is superior to “her little colored friend”. Cassie, outraged at being treated literally like a slave, feigns subservient respect towards Lillian Jean; flattered, Lillian Jean “allows” Cassie to carry her books everyday, and begins to confide her secrets and the secrets of her friends to her. One day, Cassie lures Lillian Jean into the woods, telling her “I got a real nice surprise for you”. She then goads the bigger girl into slapping her, after which Cassie, having been technically hit first, “flail(s) into (Lillian Jean)…punch(ing) her in the stomach and buttocks, and twist(ing) her hair”. Being careful not to touch her face, Cassie pulls Lillian Jean’s hair and makes her apologize for the demeaning way she has treated her over the past months. When Lillian Jean threatens to tell, Cassie says that if she does, Cassie will “make sure all (her) fancy friends know how (she) keeps a secret…(and) bet(
