Symbolism In A Curtain Of Green By Eudora Welty

Eudora Welty’s first book of short stories was published in 1941 titled A Curtain of Green and Other Short Stories. This book included seventeen short stories ranging from comical situations to some that are viewed much more tragic and serious. Welty wrote about people and places she had earlier photographed in life, as her photography became the basis for several of her short stories. In her short story “A Curtain of Green,” Welty’s use of rich symbolism throughout the story depicts a stronger meaning to the story when reading very closely. Symbolism is very important in Welty’s works as it brings forth the theme of isolation, nature, and grief in “A Curtain of Green.”
Eudora Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi and was candied to be one …show more content…
The garden does exactly what a curtain is intended to do, as not only does it eliminate the outside world from Mrs. Larkin, but the garden is used as a way of hiding her emotions. The garden is described as having a “Border of hedge, high like a wall” which can be viewed as her internal wall, keeping others out (Welty 107). By constantly gardening, the garden works as a way of keeping Mrs. Larkin occupied and drifting her mind away from the death of her …show more content…
It is mentioned a few times in the story that the pear tree is located at the center of Mrs. Larkin’s garden. The pear tree symbolizes Mr. Larkin and his memory, as he is at the center of Mrs. Larkin’s grief. The tree also resembles Mr. Larkin as it provides shelter for Mrs. Larkin from the rain: “Even the rain would bring only a pause to her. She would move to the shelter of the pear tree, which in mid-April hung heavily almost to the ground in brilliant full leaf, in the center of the garden” (108). These two trees signify the beauty and danger behind