The Member of the Wedding Essay | Critical Essay #1

The Member of the Wedding Critical Essay #1

Bussey holds a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies and a bachelor's degree in English literature. She is an independent writer specializing in literature. In the following essay, she reviews six of the symbolic elements used by McCullers in her novel.

Carson McCullers's writing is often analyzed in terms of its symbolic content. In The Member of the Wedding, she relates an accessible story that is rich with symbolism, which gives the novel greater depth. Symbolic uses of colors, seasons, the family kitchen, the Frankie-Berenice-John Henry triad, names, and music give the reader greater insight into Frankie's character. McCullers uses these symbolic elements in such a way that they do not intrude upon the story or seem superimposed on the narrative; rather, they flow naturally from the story while encouraging the reader to investigate them further.

Throughout The Member of the Wedding, Mc- Cullers uses colors to...
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