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 significance of the dove in Mercè Rodoreda's novel La Plaça del Diamante. The paper explores the societal expectations placed upon women at the end of the 19th century in Spain, particularly through the lens of Quimet, a character who embodies these patriarchal beliefs.
- The societal expectations placed upon women in late 19th-century Spain.
- The role of Quimet as a representative of societal norms.
- The symbolic meaning of the doves in relation to both Quimet and Natalia.
- The impact of societal expectations on Natalia's development and psyche.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction establishes the thesis of the paper, arguing that the dove serves as a symbol for the societal expectations placed upon women. It also highlights the role of Quimet in imposing these expectations on Natalia.
Chapter 2.1 focuses on the patriarchal nature of Spanish society at the end of the 19th century, drawing on historical sources and literary examples. This chapter establishes the context for understanding Quimet's behavior and Natalia's situation.
Chapter 2.2 examines Quimet's character and his beliefs about the role of women. It highlights how Quimet's actions and statements reflect the societal norms of his time.
Chapter 2.3 explores the symbolic significance of the doves in the novel, connecting their metaphorical meaning to the societal expectations imposed on Natalia by Quimet and the larger society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key concepts explored in this paper include societal expectations, gender roles, patriarchal society, symbolism, literary analysis, and the novel La Plaça del Diamante.
- 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
