The growth in the characters and relationships between them in Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens can be demonstrated through the Marsh, which symbolizes light, hope, and life, and the Swamp, which symbolizes darkness, despair, and death. The two bodies of water show the personalities of several characters/character relationships. The relationship between Chase and the Kya symbolizes the Swamp. It’s important to mention that, earlier in the story, Chase and some other boys begin to taunt Kya and try to get to the front porch and touch the door. She was nothing but a miniscule prize for the teenagers. Chase decided to go after Kya, knowing that if he succeeded, he would claim his reward and made sure to treat her like mud. After a rough start to their relationship, the affair between the
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Throughout the novel, Kya would have flashbacks to the Easter Sunday that occurred a day before Ma left. In them, she remembered that Ma and Pa would frequently argue, and it would ultimately reach a breaking point when Pa picked up a fire poker and jab Ma multiple times. Most of Pa’s rages were contributed to his lack of not giving an ounce of care in trying to cut off his alcoholic beverage addiction. No one could do anything to stop these infuriating moments as Pa tore the family apart and eventually disappeared in the dark, murky waters of the bog, which is fitting for this jerk of a father figure. Pa represents the Swamp because his fits of rage induced by alcohol abuse had caused a chasm to be opened in the Clark family, which separated the entire family and many members were never seen or heard from again. The relationship between Jumpin’, Mabel and Kya symbolizes the Marsh. This is the relationship that changed Kya’s whole life. Jumpin’, an old black man who owns a country store near the town, is first mentioned when Pa needed gas from him and brought Kya
Throughout the novel, Kya would have flashbacks to the Easter Sunday that occurred a day before Ma left. In them, she remembered that Ma and Pa would frequently argue, and it would ultimately reach a breaking point when Pa picked up a fire poker and jab Ma multiple times. Most of Pa’s rages were contributed to his lack of not giving an ounce of care in trying to cut off his alcoholic beverage addiction. No one could do anything to stop these infuriating moments as Pa tore the family apart and eventually disappeared in the dark, murky waters of the bog, which is fitting for this jerk of a father figure. Pa represents the Swamp because his fits of rage induced by alcohol abuse had caused a chasm to be opened in the Clark family, which separated the entire family and many members were never seen or heard from again. The relationship between Jumpin’, Mabel and Kya symbolizes the Marsh. This is the relationship that changed Kya’s whole life. Jumpin’, an old black man who owns a country store near the town, is first mentioned when Pa needed gas from him and brought Kya