Flowers
By Lauren Shuler
Morrison uses two different types of flowers to illustrate her points. I find this particularly interesting because most plants (especially flowers) symbolize something much greater than can be seen in their outward appearance. Flowers also each have a distinctive coloration, leaf pattern, geographic location etc... Some are delicate, some hardy, just like people I suppose.
So, as Morrison presents us with two different flowers, I kept wondering why she chooses these two specific flowers the dandelion and the daffodil. (Miss Jefferson said we would discuss the latter so I won’t.) The first we encounter is the dandelion. As Claudia said on the quiz, it is the flower Pecola finds beautiful while everyone else thinks it an ugly weed. I’m sure we’ve all heard dandelions referred to as weeds. The definition of a weed (in plant terms) is a plant that (in its particular location) is unwanted. I think that means that something stereotypically beautiful such as an iris could be deemed a “weed” if it were growing some place where it was not wanted (though I’m sure that instance is rare). I also found it ironic that despite the general disgust with the dandelion, the people pick its leaves to make soup and wine. Maybe this points out that seemingly ugly and unwanted things all have important uses and should be valued overtly.
Furthermore, Pecola speculates that nobody finds any need for dandelion heads because “they are so many, strong, and soon” (47). I know physically what she’s referring to. Dandelions do seem to appear all at once in huge groves. Though it happens every year, I still find myself surprised by the phenomenon. The dandelions, however, prepare for the moment from the previous spring when they dry out waiting for the wind to carry away thousands of new plants. Their entire existence relies on a relentless cycle, much like the Breedloves incessant disrespect coupled with an oddly reliable family dynamic.
The last point I found interesting was the color. Dandelion heads are the definition of yellow. Last year when reading The Great Gatsby, as a class we looked at color motifs as the book was ridden with color symbolism. Every color has its own connotations: e.g. blue can stand for blue colored worker, blue blood, honesty, peace…you get the point. Yellow, on the other hand, can refer to lots of things: (I looked some references up) Joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice (yellow bellied), betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard. You all can ponder over these if you see fit. I find most of them relate directly to the story (some more than others.) Though I won’t discuss daffodils, I believe they too are often portrayed as yellow flowers though I think they do come in different colors. So, keep an eye out for other color motifs.
I’m not sure there is one specific reason Morrison chose the flowers that she did, but I hope my ramblings have given some insights as to possibilities. If anyone has any other speculations, rebuttals or what not, pass them on.
Morrison uses two different types of flowers to illustrate her points. I find this particularly interesting because most plants (especially flowers) symbolize something much greater than can be seen in their outward appearance. Flowers also each have a distinctive coloration, leaf pattern, geographic location etc... Some are delicate, some hardy, just like people I suppose.
So, as Morrison presents us with two different flowers, I kept wondering why she chooses these two specific flowers the dandelion and the daffodil. (Miss Jefferson said we would discuss the latter so I won’t.) The first we encounter is the dandelion. As Claudia said on the quiz, it is the flower Pecola finds beautiful while everyone else thinks it an ugly weed. I’m sure we’ve all heard dandelions referred to as weeds. The definition of a weed (in plant terms) is a plant that (in its particular location) is unwanted. I think that means that something stereotypically beautiful such as an iris could be deemed a “weed” if it were growing some place where it was not wanted (though I’m sure that instance is rare). I also found it ironic that despite the general disgust with the dandelion, the people pick its leaves to make soup and wine. Maybe this points out that seemingly ugly and unwanted things all have important uses and should be valued overtly.
Furthermore, Pecola speculates that nobody finds any need for dandelion heads because “they are so many, strong, and soon” (47). I know physically what she’s referring to. Dandelions do seem to appear all at once in huge groves. Though it happens every year, I still find myself surprised by the phenomenon. The dandelions, however, prepare for the moment from the previous spring when they dry out waiting for the wind to carry away thousands of new plants. Their entire existence relies on a relentless cycle, much like the Breedloves incessant disrespect coupled with an oddly reliable family dynamic.
The last point I found interesting was the color. Dandelion heads are the definition of yellow. Last year when reading The Great Gatsby, as a class we looked at color motifs as the book was ridden with color symbolism. Every color has its own connotations: e.g. blue can stand for blue colored worker, blue blood, honesty, peace…you get the point. Yellow, on the other hand, can refer to lots of things: (I looked some references up) Joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice (yellow bellied), betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard. You all can ponder over these if you see fit. I find most of them relate directly to the story (some more than others.) Though I won’t discuss daffodils, I believe they too are often portrayed as yellow flowers though I think they do come in different colors. So, keep an eye out for other color motifs.
I’m not sure there is one specific reason Morrison chose the flowers that she did, but I hope my ramblings have given some insights as to possibilities. If anyone has any other speculations, rebuttals or what not, pass them on.
posted by Ms. Jefferson at 3:02 PM
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