The flowers
that Nathaniel gives to Mattie
represent hope. Nathaniel doesn't want Mattie to forget him, and
it's
Mattie's memories prior to the breakout of yellow fever that keep her going through
the
hard times. When Mattie's mom, Lucinda, contracts yellow fever, she's
brought to the
coffeehouse in a wheelbarrow, representing the fear people
felt during this epidemic. For some,
a crisis such as this brings out the
worst in society, such as throwing the dead bodies in the
streets.
This story is about Mattie's maturation into adulthood, and some
of
the characters help Mattie to become a woman. Although Lucinda, Mattie's
mom, is hard on her,
Lucinda gives Mattie perseverance, the ability to never
give up, to keep going no matter what
the odds are. Mattie's grandfather
symbolizes self-confidence, giving Mattie the power to
believe in herself and
to do what's right. Eliza, Lucinda's friend, picks up where Mattie's
grandfather left off, allowing Mattie to realize her own value to those around her.
Nell, the
little girl Mattie finds and decides to take care of, symbolizes a
better future for all of
them. She depends on Mattie as a mother, and this
symbolizes Mattie's completion of her journey
into
adulthood.
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