Villa Rose Symbolism

When the girl in “Children of the Sea” speaks of growing used to Villa Rose, the themes of a facade of comfort and infinity are introduced, both of which become symbolized by the banyan tree, the mountains, and the stream. This idea of the façade of comfort is symbolized by much of the natural landscape of Villa Rose. The little stream that runs by the girl’s home in Villa Rose is a constant reminder that even stereotypically peaceful, comforting things like a stream are rarely perfect. To the girl, the stream is “only right at noon” and “a dozen eyes see [her] bathing”, which enhances the idea that the stream isn’t perfect. In addition, the girl says that, “The banyan tree is my closest friend” which indicates the idea that she is getting accustomed to having something other than the boy be
Banyan trees can grow indefinitely, so the banyan tree is, in a way the next evolution of the boy. This theme of comfort is continued with the reoccurring theme of butterflies. Butterflies represent messages, and their appearance are representative of the nature of the messages. When black butterflies fly around the girl but “none has landed”. Yet, it foreshadows the death that was incoming, as well as the fact that she hadn’t heard any news recently. The black color of the butterflies signifies the dark message that the butterflies were bringing, and the fact that they were harbingers of death. Her actions signify how she was getting more and more accustomed to the idea of the boy’s death. From where she was standing, she could, “see the mountains, behind those are mountains still,” which shows how far removed she is from any normal semblance of life. Even the backdrop of the scenery was representative of infinity, and the distance from her normal life. The mountains also may be symbolic of being a barrier and pushing her life away from the boy, while the fact that the boy was on the sea may represent the fact that he is slowly drifting