In West Mills

“The next morning when Knot woke up, she lay there thinking about how she hadn’t gotten to do what she had wanted—in my own house.” 

Above all else, Knot values autonomy, including the ability to indulge in her vices of choice. Thus, although she finds much to admire about Pratt, her decision to reject his marriage proposal only solidifies when he spends a last night with her, robbing her of the chance to drink freely. Her refusal to let others dictate her behavior sets the stage for future conflicts with Otis Lee and her family.

“Try to steer somebody from a harm they love, but seem like the more they get steered away, the more they want the harm.” 

Otis Lee’s thoughts about guiding a loved one towards or away from a particular outcome apply to his relationships with Essie, Knot, Breezy, and others. Although he tries to move each of them to act in ways that he prefers, he learns that sometimes the very act of interference can backfire, causing the individual in question to resist even more strongly. Otis Lee shows this same tendency when Pep tries to convince him not to worry so much about Knot, and he doubles down on his attempts to care for her.

“‘I got secrets in here’—she pointed to her left temple—‘that’ll make folk hate me if they got out. My own flesh and blood. […] But you know somethin’, Knot? Sometimes it’s best to keep ’em locked inside. Secrets. Best for everybody sometimes.” 

Noni tells Knot that she has secrets, not realizing that Knot knows how she deceived Otis Lee. Although Knot recognizes the problems Noni’s secrets cause, she is loath to admit the same of her own secrets.