Breath, Eyes, Memory Group

Question:

hi989
hi989
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In Breath, Eyes, Memory, Martine's favorite color was first daffodil yellow, but then she is obsessed with red.  What does this suggest?

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Posted by hi989 on Tuesday December 18, 2007 at 4:53 PM and tagged with breath, eyes, memory, character, color, martine, symbol.

Answers:


  1. sullymonster Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Martine loves the daffodil's that grow in Haiti.  She appreciates them because they grow in a place that they aren't supposed.  They've been brought to Haiti from European settlers, and should not be able to grow in the rough soil but do.  Therefore, they are a symbol of strength, and the yellow is a symbol of hope, such as Martine's hope for her future.  However, the red that draws her attention is indicative of the internal conflict she is suffering.  She is haunted by the events that happened to her at the hands of her mother and her rapist, both of which abused her in sexual ways.  The red represents these events and her remaining bitterness.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/breath-eyes/

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    Posted by sullymonster on Sunday December 23, 2007 at 5:05 PM