The daffodil is a flower that is mentioned rather frequently
in Breath, Eyes, Memory. The daffodil is mentioned on the very first page of
the novel and is mentioned several times in subsequent chapters throughout the
first and second parts of the book. The daffodil is not only important to the
main character Sophie but also to other characters including her biological
mother in New York, and her Aunt Atie whom is her primary caregiver. The flower
is also very popular in the island of Haiti where it thrives. The daffodil has
a particularly special meaning to Sophie and is quite symbolic in regards to
her life story up through part two of the novel.
Sophie likes the daffodil for its beauty and also for the
memories that are associated with the daffodils. The flower grows quite well in
Haiti and is a favorite among the natives. Not only is the daffodil a flower
that is beautiful to look at, but also the daffodil reminds her of home. Home
to Sophie is in Haiti with her Aunt whom has raised her until the age of
twelve. When Sophie thinks of her Aunt she thinks of the daffodil which is why
she decided to use it as decoration for the cover of a mother's day card that
she had made. When Sophie thinks of home she pictures it with her aunt Atie who
"...is a daffodil...iron strong" (29).
Little does Sophie realize she also is a daffodil. Aunt Atie
tells Sophie that the reason Sophie's mother liked daffodils so much was
because they weren't supposed to be found in Haiti; they were brought over from
Europe (21). Sophie, like the daffodil, is brought into a foreign place against
her will; a place that she does not consider to be her home. Despite feeling
like she does not belong, she thrives in her new home. She goes to school and
gets great grades and starts attending college. A success that may not have
been possible for her if she had stayed in Haiti. In this respect, Sophie like
the daffodil is uprooted from where she considers home to a new place but still
manages to thrive even when she (like the daffodil) feels as though this is not
her home and where she belongs. In this regard Sophie and the daffodils of
Haiti alike.
As I was reading I realized that there was some significance to the daffodil but was something my mind oversaw. It is a great representation of Sophie at a young age. She may not be a native to the United States but she can grow there and prosper. Looking more deeply into this, it builds on the theme of Caco women are strong. Sophie has all the potential to be uprooted and survive where she is "not suppose to be" (outside of Haiti).
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