The Lottery Rose

Rennie Burgess is Georgie’s mother, whose persistent neglect, violent tendencies, and alcoholism create a dangerous living environment that leaves Georgie physically and emotionally scarred. Georgie’s relationship with Rennie is marked by fear and pain. Rennie needs Steve to support her drinking, so she forces Georgie to keep the abuse a secret, threatening him with more violence if he reveals the truth. Rennie’s lack of care shapes Georgie’s behavior as his mean-spiritedness at school and troublemaking stem from the trauma inflicted by his mother and Steve. Georgie thinks, “No other kid in Tampa […] had a mother like this one—he wished that he were big enough to run away and never see her again” (15). Georgie’s love for the rosebush he wins in a supermarket contest contrasts sharply with the lack of love and care he receives from Rennie. The rosebush becomes a symbol of hope and beauty, something Georgie can nurture despite the darkness of his home life. Georgie’s attachment to the unplanted rosebush and his desperate attempt to find it a home reflects his longing for a mother figure in his life. 

Georgie’s escape from Rennie’s abuse is a turning point in the novel as it removes him from the dangerous home situation. However, Rennie’s actions haunt Georgie even after he leaves her home. His wounds, both physical and emotional, linger, and he can’t shake the fear that Steve will reappear and punish him for exposing the abuse. Even after encountering kind adults, especially mother figures who long to help him, Georgie’s past prevents him from trusting others, with Georgie thinking, “I hate mothers” (141). Georgie’s conflict with Mrs. Harper exemplifies this distrust and reveals the layers of trauma wrought by Rennie’s cruelty. Seeing her harm his rosebush triggers his trauma and reminds him of his mother’s abuse. Once Georgie accepts that Mrs. Harper isn’t going to hurt him, he forgives her and, in doing so, makes peace with his past. Rennie’s character reveals the ways trauma can affect children and underscores the necessity of ensuring vulnerable children are protected from abusive parents and guardians.

Sister Mary Angela is the nun who runs the all-boys Catholic boarding school where Judge O’Neill places Georgie Burgess after removing him from his home. Sister Mary Angela plays a significant role in Georgie’s new life as she guides and mentors him while he navigates his new environment. She helps him adjust to the routines and expectations of the school and introduces him to his first friend, Timothy. Her patience and understanding create a safe space for Georgie to express himself and find stability. Sister Mary Angela is a kind and compassionate nun who genuinely cares for the boys in her care. Her interactions with Georgie demonstrate her understanding of his troubled past and her desire to help him heal: “She studied his face and wondered what words might have been on his record if he had not been half-starved all his life, if he had never known what it was like to be beaten regularly and to live in constant terror” (99). When he becomes easily frustrated or refuses to comply with the rules, Sister Mary Angela gives Georgie space to process his feelings, and she responds in love, not punitive shame, and guides him toward making better choices.

Sister Mary Angela represents the delicate balance between enforcing rules and showing compassion. When Georgie demands to plant his rosebush in the garden, she kindly yet firmly tells him no and explains why. Her decision-making reflects her commitment to the boys’ welfare while maintaining discipline and structure within the school. Georgie sometimes resists and breaks her rules, but ultimately, he thrives under her gentle, non-authoritarian structure. When Georgie hears Sister Mary Angela play the organ, he loves the beautiful music. Sister Mary Angela invites Georgie to audition for the choir and discovers his singing talent. Music becomes a solace for Georgie and allows him to express his grief. Sister Mary Angela’s presence helps to bridge the gap between Georgie and the rest of the world, demonstrating that there are people who care about him and wish to support him. Despite Georgie’s unstable past and challenging behavior, Sister Mary Angela recognizes the good in him and believes he can heal and flourish. She helps him realize his worth and potential, urging him to open up and trust others.

Mrs. Harper owns the house and garden near Georgie’s new school. Despite her family’s wealth, Mrs. Harper carries a heavy burden of grief as she lost both her husband and son in a car accident. Since everything about the boys’ school reminds her of Paul, Mrs. Harper expresses her grief by distancing herself from the school and not allowing any of the boys on her property. She lives with her younger son, Robin, and her father, Mr. Collier, and only comes outside to work in the garden. When Georgie sees the beautiful garden, it looks just like the one from his picture book, and he knows he has found the perfect place to plant his rosebush, unaware of Mrs. Harper’s tragic story. Mrs. Harper’s stern rejection of him and his prized possession sets Georgie against Mrs. Harper as he projects all his resentment and anger upon her. 

As the story unfolds, Mrs. Harper’s character transforms from a stern, grieving widow to a compassionate benefactor. When she sees Georgie’s infected wounds, her anger softens as she realizes the depth of his pain and suffering. She allows Old Eddie to replant the rosebush in the garden and helps care for Georgie after he collapses from exhaustion and illness. Despite Mrs. Harper’s empathy, Georgie refuses to forgive her, and even after she pays for him to remain at the school, he can’t see past her initial impression. It is not until Georgie gets closer to Mr. Collier and Robin that he understands all that Mrs. Harper has lost and empathizes with her grief. Through their shared grief and mutual love of theater, Mrs. Harper and Georgie forge a connection. Georgie realizes that not all grownups are like the abusive individuals in his previous experiences. Mrs. Harper’s kindness becomes a source of hope for Georgie, demonstrating that healing and forgiveness are possible. She redeems the concept of a mother for Georgie, and in the end, he asks her to love him just as she loves her biological children. The story ends with Mrs. Harper vowing to take care of Georgie.