Symbolism In Walk Two Moons
By Alyson Bianchi
Summary
Sharon Creech's novel Walk Two Moons is about a 13 year old girl named Sal who is driving across the country to Lewiston, Idaho with her grandparents. While Sal is on the road trip, she tells a story about her friend Pheobe Winterbottom, her disappearing mother, and the lunatic.
Thesis Statement
Throughout the novel Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech uses symbolism to give objects and characters a deeper meaning for the reader.
Hair
One symbol that was frequently used throughout the novel is hair. Sal and her mom had similar looking hair that her dad adored. "My mother's hair had been long and black, like mine, but a week before she left she cut it." (Creech 92). Later in the book symbolism pops up when Sal's dad is looking at a picture. "On the opened page was a photo of my father and my mother sitting in the grass beneath the sugar maple. His face was pressed up next to hers and their hair blended together. They looked like they were connected." (Creech 128). Sharon Creech uses hair to show how Sal's mom cut their connection by cutting her hair. Sal kept her long hair not wanting to completely loose their connection. Sal's dad pretends that he isn't bothered by his wife leaving but he finally opens up to Sal about his feelings. Sal's dad loved Sal's long hair and begged her not to cut it because he wanted to feel like their connection wasn't gone even though his wife wasn't coming back. When Creech used hair for symbolism she gives the reader a deeper understanding for the character.
Trees
Another symbol that was frequently used throughout the novel is trees. Sal's middle name is tree and her mom loved them so she felt a connection. "My middle name, Tree comes from your basic tree, a thing of such beauty to my mother that she made it apart of my name." (Creech 9). Sal also prays to trees because she feels closer to trees when there are tree nearly everywhere. "Over and over, I prayed the same thing. I prayed to trees. This was easier than praying directly to God. There was always a tree nearby." (Creech 7). Sal feels very connected to trees because they reminded her of her mom. Everywhere Sal looks she gets reminded of her mom, her middle name, and God. Sal's mom loved nature and named Sal after a tree and when Sal prays to trees she is connecting with God and being reminded of her mom. When Creech used trees for symbolism she gives the reader a deeper understanding for the character.