That Was Then, This Is Now Group

Question:

esperanzadc
esperanzadc
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What do M&M's symbolize in That Was Then, This is Now? 

both the person and the candy

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Posted by esperanzadc on Tuesday November 18, 2008 at 3:53 PM and tagged with mms, symbolism, that was then, this is now.

Answers:


  1. gbeatty Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor


    The name of the candy M & M stands for Mars and Murrie. Forest Mars was the founder of the Mars candy company; Bruce Murrie was the son of the president of Hershey's. The "m" stands for each of their last names.


    The character M&M is Cathy's brother. His name is more ironic than symbolic. He's "addicted" to M & M candies the way others in the book are genuinely addicted to drugs.

    Sources:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M&M's
    http://www.enotes.com/was-then/characters

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    Posted by gbeatty on Tuesday November 18, 2008 at 5:45 PM

  2. melony82
    melony82 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    M&M the candy was named for it's inventor and a stock holder.

    The inventor, Forrest Mars, Sr., was the founder of the Mars Company.  The other M was for Bruce Murrie, the son of the Hershey's president who had a 20% stake in the endeavor.

    M&M, the character, was given the nickname due to his addiction to the candy.  Even his parents referred to him by this name.

    Sources:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M&M%27s
    http://www.enotes.com/was-then/summary

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    Posted by melony82 on Tuesday November 18, 2008 at 5:46 PM