Yu Hua emphasized the effect of snow when Fengxia was giving birth to Kugen not only to create the desperate and dismal atomsphere, but also to symbolize the coldness and sadness in Fugui’s heart. For instance, Fugui recalled that his “two children both died during childbirth — Young during someone else’s, Fengxia during her own. The snow was especially heavy that day” (207). When Fugui witnessed the death of his second child, he could not do anything but watch the heavy snow falling from the sky. His heart was as cold as the snow since he realized that his tininess in front of the fate. The snow is a symbol of his desperation.
In addition, Fengxia’s death took place in winter, a season of death, emptiness and desolation. Yu Hua used a plain diction to describe Fugui’s thought: “The next day, carrying Fengxia on his back, Erxi went home with me . It was still snowing” (209). Winter symbolizes coldness and emptiness, which are Fugui’s feeling toward his daughter’s death.
No comments:
Post a Comment