The bees symbolize Isabel's racing and cloudy thoughts.
When Anderson writes about Isabel and bees in this book, it is always referencing Isabel's state of mind. Additionally, the bees become a prevalent symbol after Madam Lockton sells Ruth.
Melancholy held me hostage, and the bees built a hive of sadness in my soul.
Whenever Isabel mentions the bees and their effects, it is always to illustrate how unclearly she is thinking. The bee symbolism might be because the "bee" activity of her brain is so hectic that she can't think straight. The bee activity also fills so much of her head that Isabel's thoughts are slowed down. Anderson also allows the bee activity to be so noisy that Isabel couldn't process any other information coming in. The bees are simply too noisy and bothersome to Isabel.
The bees threatened to overtake my mind again, their wings beating quickly.
When Isabel begins thinking clearly again, Anderson makes a point of telling readers that the bees also fall silent. This doesn't happen until chapter 26. Isabel subconsciously hears somebody say that the British can give slaves freedom. Isabel's brain focuses on that singular thought, and the bees fall silent momentarily, because Isabel does not have a head full of beehive activity.
"If the British win, we'll all be free."
"Shhh!" several people scolded.
I blinked. The bees in my head fell silent and hugged their wings tight to their bodies. The British would free us? All of us?
No comments:
Post a Comment