The Saints of Swallow Hill

Content Warning: This section of the study guide discusses a suicide attempt as well as assisted suicide. This section also includes discussion of themes and depictions of racism, enslavement, misogyny, and anti-gay bias, as well as references to racist and outdated language, attempted sexual coercion, domestic violence, and sexual assault.

“When it came to the time of year when leaves started to turn, and a chill was in the air, she finally agreed. The why of it, she couldn’t be sure, except maybe it was her growing sense of not belonging and the idea of having her own little family was something she’d never thought possible, but now, with Warren, it was.”

This passage emphasizes The Building of Family and Friendships as a Path to Healing by showing Rae Lynn’s determination to build her own family. It also explains why she married Warren and why her memories of him are so precious. This passage also foreshadows the challenges Rae Lynn will face in hopes of gaining the family she wants after losing Warren.

“These days, a man’s name and his reputation were all one had, and the most one could hope to keep, but he determined the best thing for him to do would be to slip away in the dark.”

The quote highlights The Burden of Race, Gender, Sexuality Expectations by showing Del’s resistance to the male expectation to preserve one’s reputation. It also incorporates Resilience and Determination in Hardships by showing that Del is more concerned with his survival now than how others perceive him, which will become more present when he arrives at Swallow Hill. This shows his desire to rebuild his life and start new, not wanting to stay in the place where he almost died.

“Maybe he’d plant more there some day, and no matter it might take fifty years for ’em to grow, they’d outlive him and his sons, if he ever had any.”

The quote supports The Importance of Legacy by showing the beginning of Del’s new vision in life. He wants to create a legacy for his future children and the longleaf pines, ensuring that both his family and the pines will survive long after his death. This drive will inspire him to persevere and help his new friend and eventual wife, Rae Lynn.