Thesis: The dove is a symbol for the society at the end of the 19th century. It serves to present the expectations society had in regard to women. In the beginning I thought that the doves reflect the development of Natalia. But later I got the impression that the doves might also be the release for her development. Thinking further I came to realise that it also were not the
doves alone which had the impact on her, but that it was Quimet behind them, in the way that he had brought the doves into their home. And then I thought it could not be Quimet alone either, but that it must be society which actually was the responsible power, as Quimet was only a part of it. Therefore I wanted to know how the common opinion was concerning the role of man and women at the time the novel is playing, to be able to understand the reasons Quimet has for imposing the role of “Colometa” on Natalia 1. I have structured my term paper as follows: the first part is about the society at the end of the 19th century. The second part conc entrates on Quimet by looking at his behaviour and statements in regard to the common patterns of those days. In the third part I connect the expectations of society and Quimet with the metaphorical significance of the doves. In the fourth part I want to show the impact these expectations have on Natalia. Hereby, I want to concentrate on the doves by distinguishing three different levels. The first level is the simple physical presents of the doves in the novel. The second level is the metaphorical meaning of the doves in regard to Natalia, and the third level is about the impact the doves have on Natalia’s psyche by their physical existence as well as their metaphorical significance. 1 I will come later to what is meant by this role
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I Introduction
- II The image of the dove in La Plaça del Diamante
- 2.1 Society of those days
- 2.2 Quimet as a part of the society
- 2.3 The metaphor of the dove in connection with Quimet and the society
- 2.4 The significance of the doves for Natalia
- III Conclusion
- IV Literature
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to analyze the symbolic representation of doves in Mercè Rodoreda's La Plaça del Diamante, exploring how they reflect societal expectations of women at the end of the 19th century in Spain. The paper examines the societal norms, Quimet's role within those norms, and the impact on Natalia's development.
- Societal expectations of women in late 19th-century Spain.
- Quimet's patriarchal views and actions as a reflection of societal norms.
- The symbolic meaning of doves and their connection to Natalia's experience.
- The interplay between societal pressure, Quimet's influence, and Natalia's personal development.
- Analysis of the novel's depiction of gender roles and power dynamics.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central thesis that the dove symbolizes societal expectations of women at the end of the 19th century. The author initially considered the doves as reflecting Natalia's development but ultimately concluded that their significance is intricately linked to Quimet's role within a patriarchal society. The chapter outlines the paper's structure, focusing on societal norms, Quimet's behavior, the metaphorical meaning of the doves, and their impact on Natalia.
II The image of the dove in La Plaça del Diamante: This chapter delves into the symbolic representation of doves within the novel. It begins by examining the patriarchal societal norms prevalent in late 19th-century Spain, citing evidence from contemporary sources that emphasized women's submissive roles. The chapter then explores Quimet's character, portraying him as a product of his time and illustrating his belief in male dominance through his actions and words. It connects Quimet's patriarchal views with the symbolic significance of the doves, foreshadowing an analysis of how these societal pressures and Quimet's influence impact Natalia’s life and development.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
La Plaça del Diamante, Mercè Rodoreda, societal expectations, gender roles, patriarchal society, symbolism, doves, Quimet, Natalia, 19th-century Spain, female subjugation, marriage, domesticity.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Doves as Symbols in Mercè Rodoreda's La Plaça del Diamante
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the symbolic representation of doves in Mercè Rodoreda's novel, La Plaça del Diamante, exploring how these symbols reflect societal expectations of women in late 19th-century Spain. It examines societal norms, the role of the male character Quimet within those norms, and the impact on the female protagonist, Natalia.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include societal expectations of women in late 19th-century Spain, Quimet's patriarchal views and actions, the symbolic meaning of doves and their connection to Natalia's experiences, the interplay between societal pressure, Quimet's influence, and Natalia's personal development, and an analysis of the novel's depiction of gender roles and power dynamics.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into four main sections: an introduction outlining the central thesis and the paper's scope; a main chapter analyzing the symbolism of the doves in the context of societal norms and Quimet's influence on Natalia; a conclusion summarizing the findings; and a literature section (not detailed in the provided preview).
How does the paper interpret the symbolism of the doves?
Initially, the doves were considered as a reflection of Natalia's personal development. However, the paper's final analysis concludes that the significance of the doves is intricately linked to Quimet's role within a patriarchal society, and how this impacts Natalia's life.
What is the role of Quimet in the paper's analysis?
Quimet serves as a representation of the patriarchal societal norms of late 19th-century Spain. His actions and beliefs illustrate male dominance and its impact on Natalia's life. His views and behavior are directly connected to the symbolic meaning of the doves within the novel.
What aspects of 19th-century Spanish society are examined?
The paper examines the societal expectations placed upon women in late 19th-century Spain, focusing on their submissive roles within a patriarchal structure. Evidence from contemporary sources is used to support this analysis.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: La Plaça del Diamante, Mercè Rodoreda, societal expectations, gender roles, patriarchal society, symbolism, doves, Quimet, Natalia, 19th-century Spain, female subjugation, marriage, and domesticity.
What is the overall argument or conclusion of the paper (as indicated in the preview)?
The paper argues that the symbolic representation of doves in La Plaça del Diamante reflects the societal expectations placed upon women in late 19th-century Spain, specifically highlighting the impact of patriarchal structures and male figures like Quimet on Natalia's life and development.
- Quote paper
- Ann-Kathleen Kraetzig (Author), 2004, The image of the dove in La Plaça del Diamante, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/33625
