This theme manifests throughout the novel in several ways and affects each character differently. When Grace is raped, she quickly shows outward signs of trauma. Not wanting Grace to suffer, Blanche insists that the best response is to convince her that what she experienced was merely a bad dream. Initially, Ora is skeptical about this approach, but Blanche convinces her that the police would either dismiss the claim of rape as a lie or blame Grace herself for the crime, thus worsening the trauma. In this way, Blanche believes that the lie she tells Grace is justified and will aid in her healing.

Ironically, Ora—though she initially disapproves of Blanche’s lie—lies by omission when she does not reveal that Marcus killed Skipper Kornegay. Though Marcus’s actions were out of anger for what Kornegay did to Grace, Ora knows that Blanche would be devastated that Marcus committed such violence. By keeping this information from Blanche, Ora believes that she is saving her from the heartache that would come from knowing the truth about Marcus. Further, because Marcus dies in a car accident, Ora is certain that she need never worry about Blanche discovering the truth.