Snowdrops tells the story of a young boy who is eagerly awaiting to see the snowdrops in his school yard. All the while he is oblivious to the world around him.
While the snowdrops feature in the story as an object they also play a roll in describing two issues explored text. The snowdrops are very symbolic as they help describe the teacher (Miss Webster's) mood and the gradual maturity of the boy.
In the story the snowdrops are described as being fragile flowers that 'shake, and straighten gallantly''holding bravely' against the wind. This description fits Miss Webster perfectly. She was in a very fragile state after losing her companion. Yet she came to school and braved the harsh winter just like snowdrops are said to do. Miss Webster tried to stay strong 'she smiled', yet the cool wind of emotion spiraling insider her left her cadged behind iron gates as she began to 'cry aloud' for the man she had once loved.
The boy is the main character in the story. His development can be reflected in the growth of the snowdrops. 'The snowdrops had been asleep under the ground, but now they were up, growing in the garden'. Like the flowers the boy grows. Originally we see him as being a young boy, naive (thought Miss Webster was upset about her finger after two hints were dropped about the Meridith boy's death) and living in his own world ('he looked around for Miss Webster to explain these simple flowers'). Like the flowers the boy grows to understand the harsh reality of death and grief as his well admired teacher weeps by the iron gate. The boy is forced to confront the real world and the heavy emotions associated with it. Just like the snowdrops confront the cool weather and all it has to offer.
There are three main characters in the story that really stand out. The boy, Miss Webster and Edmund all have their own personalities that they contribute to the story.
Not once do we hear the name of the main character. His character is one that many adults can feel an attachment to as his mind is a perfect example of the typical child. We are taken on a journey with him as he reaches a mile stone in his life that will shape his future self. His appreciation and curiosity for something as simple as a sandwich is an example of how simple minded he is. although he has bacon he is astounded to find that the bacon in his sandwich can taste so differently and be 'incredibly new and marvellous'. Where most people like Edmund will simply say 'it's only bacon'. Stuck in a world where the promise of seeing snowdrops rules his life the boy sees his world in black and white. Oblivious to what goes on around him (the death of the Meridith boy) the boy sees only what concerns him. Whether it be the traffic his been told to avoid, his drawing of a robin or the possibility of flowers the boy is unable to think outside the box. However, seeing his teacher cry is something that opens his eyes to the emotion of grief and how it can consume a person.
Miss Webster is the young teacher idolised by the boy who was 'pleased' when she approved of his actions and sought her knowledge 'he looked around for Miss Webster to explain'. Immediately we can establish her characters position in the story. She is a sweet young women. to her students she is like a God and the slightest shift in her mood leaves them 'frightened'. While she is greatly admired by the boy we are also exposed to her more fragile side as she morns the death of her lover. The 'poor girl' as the boy's mother refers to her as has her own personal funeral. Dressed in black she comes to school and all the while morns to Meridith boy's death. Like the boy's robin Miss Webster beings the day 'standing up bravely, throwing out [her] chest to sing'. However the heavy emotion of grief is to much and her sweet character is left in pieces. Exposed to her frightened and confused students.
There is a great contrast between the main character and his good friend Edmund. The main character lives in his own little world. He is lost in the world of innocence. While Edmund is a brave, energetic and a far more street wise person then his friend. Edmund is constantly joking around 'Edmund told a joke' and having fun. Which he does in front of the teacher's to his friend's amazement 'Edmund was very brave'. The main characer looks up to Edmund and is constantly looking for his support when he is unsure. The main character sees Edmund as a very brave and strong. When the boy is unsure he looks for Edmund's opinion. An example of this is when the boy asks Edmund what is in the sandwich. Edmund has reached a maturity far from the one illustrated in the boy. The magic that engulfs the young child's mind is absent from Edmund's mind. Edmund has no interest in the flowers that entrance his friend's mind. 'I don't care because I've seen some already'. Edmund is making the transmission from childhood to adulthood. He has already been exposed to some of the harsh realities of life.
No comments:
Post a Comment