The couple described in “Mirrors” has decided to live without mirrors during summer, while spending their time in their summer house at Big Circle Lake. This cohabitation turns out to be not as harmoniously as the rest of the world sees it. The absence of mirrors causes several problems both partners try to deal with by themselves.
This paper shall be concerned with the image of mirrors in the story, regarding especially the concealment and revelation it symbolizes. Therefore the image of the mirror in general has to be viewed. Afterwards the mirrorless summer house has to be examined as well as the couple, which deliberately lives without mirrors. In addition special scenes will be analysed. After looking at the couple, the usage of mirrors in the story play an important role to find an answer to the question if the deliberate mirrorlessness reminds both partners of their better selves.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Mirrors in general
3. The Cottage
4. The Couple
4.1 The Husband
4.2 The Wife
5. Last Scene in Bed
6. How is the image of the mirror used in the story?
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the metaphorical function of mirrors as symbols of concealment and revelation within Carol Shields' short story "Mirrors." The primary research focus lies in exploring how a deliberate state of "mirrorlessness" in a summer cottage impacts the psychological relationship and self-perception of a married couple.
- The symbolic role of mirrors in literature and human self-awareness.
- The influence of domestic architecture on personal concealment and truth.
- Psychological dynamics of a long-term marriage facing non-reflective environments.
- The interplay between outward social appearance and inner reality.
- The use of "mirroring" as a literary device to reveal character vulnerabilities.
Excerpt from the Book
3. The Cottage
The cottage lies at the Big Circle Lake. When the couple bought it, it looked good from the outside but was completely rotten in the inside. Nevertheless the couple rebuilt it passionately, what made them very satisfied.
At first the cottage did not have much furniture. There was a dresser in the bedroom, and in the attached mirror frame the mirror was missing. The couple attended several auctions, looking for a mirror, but they did not find one they liked. This way no mirrors came to the house. Of course, for the couple no mirror was needed to show the cottage's real beauty. It has an emotional value, which no mirror in the world could show.
The cottage is very simple and not extravagant, but at the same time inviting and comfortable. The fact that there are no mirrors in it, not even a reflective glimpse (SHIELDS 452) attracts one's attention. Therefore it can be guessed that the mirrorlessness in the house is deliberate. People in the house can forget who they are or at least what they look like and problems, which a mirror could reveal, are pushed away.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides biographical background on Carol Shields and introduces the analytical focus on mirror symbolism in the story "Mirrors."
2. Mirrors in general: This section explores the historical, cultural, and mythological significance of mirrors as symbols of truth, vanity, and self-reflection.
3. The Cottage: The author analyzes how the lack of mirrors in the couple's summer home creates a space where social identity and personal problems can be temporarily suppressed.
4. The Couple: This chapter investigates the dynamics of the marriage, focusing on how the absence of reflective surfaces influences the couple's dependency and shared intimacy.
4.1 The Husband: An analysis of the husband's character, highlighting his struggle with guilt and his perception of mirrorlessness as a sacrifice for his wife.
4.2 The Wife: This section examines the wife's self-image, her insecurities regarding her weight, and her comfort in avoiding reflective surfaces that might confront her with her perceived flaws.
5. Last Scene in Bed: The author explores the climactic final scene, where the husband observes his wife and the couple experiences a moment of profound, wordless mutual understanding.
6. How is the image of the mirror used in the story?: This chapter synthesizes the symbolic use of the mirror, contrasting it with the actual absence of the object in the narrative.
7. Conclusion: The paper summarizes how the deliberate avoidance of mirrors serves as both a tool for concealment and a catalyst for a deeper, albeit complicated, emotional connection between the partners.
Keywords
Carol Shields, Mirrors, Short Story, Symbolism, Concealment, Revelation, Mirrorlessness, Marriage, Self-awareness, Identity, Reflection, Psychological Analysis, Big Circle Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the symbolic function of mirrors—or their absence—as metaphors for concealment and revelation in Carol Shields' short story "Mirrors."
Which thematic areas does the work cover?
The work covers themes of identity, social appearance, marital intimacy, the psychology of self-reflection, and the narrative significance of domestic settings.
What is the primary research question?
The primary goal is to determine how the deliberate choice of a "mirrorless" life influences the psychological development and relationship dynamics of the main characters.
Which methodology is applied in this analysis?
The paper uses a literary and psychological analysis, interpreting symbolic motifs and character interactions within the context of the text.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body treats the historical symbolism of mirrors, the impact of the cottage's architectural void, individual character studies of the husband and wife, and the final intimate scene.
Which keywords define this work?
The work is defined by terms such as Carol Shields, symbolism, mirrorlessness, marital identity, concealment, and self-revelation.
How does the absence of mirrors affect the characters' marriage?
The absence of mirrors creates a space where the couple can avoid facing specific problems or social pressures, which ironically leads to both closer emotional intimacy and hidden vulnerabilities.
How does the "last scene in bed" serve the story's theme?
The final scene acts as a point of revelation where the husband observes his wife, ultimately seeing her as a mirror of his own truth, which brings them together in a moment of complicity.
- Citation du texte
- Franka Girod (Auteur), 2008, The Mirror as an Image of Concealment and Revelation in Carol Shields’ “Mirrors”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/150860
