Vocabulary

Solicitous (adj)-  Characterized by or showing interest or concern.
"The same hope that kept them kicking beans for other farmers; …kept them solitious of white people’s children; kept them convinced that some magic “government” was going to lift them up..."160
Her mother was very solicitous of her sick son.












Malevolence (n)- Having or showing a wish to do evil to others
"The teeth unrepaired, the coal credit cut off… the slurred remarks and the stunning malevolence of their employers."  161
The teacher gave the sleeping student a glare full of malevolence.














Fastidious (adj)- excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please
“She had neither iron nor clothes but did not stop her fastidious lining up of pleats or pressing out of wrinkles even when she acknowledged Nel’s greeting.” (167)
She was very fastidious about her desk; everything had to go in a specific place.














Dirge (n)- A lament for the dead, esp. one forming part of a funeral rite.
On January third the sun came out—and so did Shadrack with his rope, his bell, and his childish dirge. 155
The funeral for the old man ended with a slow dirge.














Unassailable (adj) -Unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated.
The sealed window soothed her with its sturdy termination, its unassailable finality (148)
The soldier was overconfident; he considered himself unassailable.












Timbre (n)- The character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity.

“…it hid from her the true motives of her charity, and, finally, it gave her voice the timbre she wantedit to have.” (139)
The timbre of his voice was deep and musical.












Ornate (adj)-  Made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns; very fancy.
“An absence so decorative, so ornate, it was difficult for her to understand how she had ever endured… his magnificent presence.”(134)
The ornate wall made her dizzy with all its patterns and swirls.














Mercurial (adj)- Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood 
Most often jovial, she has developed an iron suppression of Willy’s behavior…as though his mercial nature, his temper, his massive dreams and little cruelties, served only as sharp reminders of the turbulent longings within him…” (12)
The students were uneasy of their teacher and his mercurial temper.










Trepidation(n)-  A feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen.

It was with trepidation that she stepped out onto the high balcony.
“Linda, hearing Willy outside the bathroom, calls with some trepidation.” (12)










Imbue (v)- Inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality.
“That’s just the spirit I want to imbue them with.” (52)
The music imbued in them a sense of tranquility.