When Mary Jane is first introduced, it becomes obvious that her life has been mapped out for her. At 14, she has very little basis for comparing the values her parents espouse and her own preferences. She has been raised Presbyterian, sings in the church choir, and only knows gospel songs or Broadway show tunes. These narrowly defined interests create the illusion of stability in an uncertain world. Mary Jane’s parents have created barriers between themselves and people who are less wealthy than they are. In the upscale community of Roland Park, diversity doesn’t exist. Mrs. Dillard’s superhuman effort to maintain absolute order extends to her control of Mary Jane, and experimentation of any kind is discouraged and actively suppressed.

Because Mary Jane’s universe is so homogenous that she doesn’t even realize that other possibilities exist. Her exposure to the Cones and their unusual houseguests rocks her world in a literal sense. As she tells her story, Mary Jane frequently contrasts her parents’ values and those of Sheba, Jimmy, and the Cones. It soon becomes obvious that Mary Jane prefers the chaotic, eccentric, loving energy in the Cone house over the superficial perfection and rigidly maintained emotional control of the Dillard home.