Describe symbolism in Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Momma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad by Arthur L. Kopit

Kopit's play is rife with symbolism. Madame Rosepettle's pets are vivid representations of the woman's omnivorous nature. Just as the pets literally devour living things, the Madame symbolically devours men; she has more than likely killed her husband, and she has "devoured" any shred of independence that Jonathan may have had. The recurrent use of the word "rose" in many characters' names also serves an ironic, symbolic purpose. A rose is typically associated with love and purity. Yet none of the characters named after the flower are even remotely connected to such concepts. Rosalie, while making a superficial attempt to appear pure, is actually something of a sullied tramp. Commodore Roseabove, while professing to "love" the Madame, is really after sex. Rosalinda, the piranha, is a carnivorous killer of cuddly kittens. And Madame Rosepettle, whose name most explicitly evokes the flower ("rose" "petal"), exhibits behavior in direct contrast to the common ideals associated with the rose.