Symbolism In Walk Two Moons
By: Maddie Moran
Summary of Walk Two Moons
Sharon Creech's novel Walk Two Moons tells the story of 13-year-old girl Sal's journey to Lewiston, Idaho to visit her mom. Along the way she tells her grandparents Phoebe's story an finds her own story within Phoebe's. Sal learns about friendship, love, and letting go.
Thesis Statement
Throughout the novel Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech uses symbolism to show the bond between members of Sal's family.
Symbol One: Hair
One of the symbols used in the novel is hair. Both Sal and her mom had long hair. When Sal's mother left, however, she cut her hair. Sal's father later explained to Sal that he didn't want her to cut her hair. "My father said to me, 'Don't cut yours, Sal. Please don't cut yours.'" (page 92). When Sal's mom cut her hair, Sal collected it and hid it under the floorboards in her room. "My mother's postcards and her hair are still beneath the floorboards in my room." (page 278). Hair comes up whenever Sal talks about not only her family but her mother in particular. Creech uses it to symbolize how strong Sal's bond with her mother is. Their long hair was how they were connected, and Sal's mom cutting hers was her way of severing that connection, which is why Sal keeps her mom's hair. The use of this symbol helps the reader understand how strong Sal and her mother's bond is.
Symbol Two: Trees
Another symbol Creech uses is the presence of trees. Trees first appear when Sal is beginning her journey to Lewiston, Idaho. While in the car, she prays to them. "Over and over, I prayed the same thing. I prayed to the trees." (page 7). Sal also mentions that at her home in Bybanks, Kentucky, she had a singing tree. "Next to my favorite sugar maple tree beside the barn is a tall aspen. . .sometimes it sang, sometimes it did not, but from then on I always called it the singing tree." (pages 99-100). Trees appear whenever Sal needs comfort. Creech uses trees to symbolize the comfort and happiness provided by her mom. Whenever Sal sees a tree, she is reminded of her mother's comfort. The use of this symbol helps the reader understand how much Sal needs her mother and how her absence is tough for Sal.