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
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
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic term paper investigates the symbolic role of the dove in Mercè Rodoreda's novel La Plaça del Diamante, positing that the doves represent the stifling societal expectations placed upon women during the late 19th and early 20th century in Spain. The study examines how the protagonist, Natalia, undergoes a psychological transformation under the pressure of these patriarchal norms, which are enforced by her husband, Quimet, and the broader social environment.
- The patriarchal structure of Spanish society and its impact on gender roles.
- The religious and metaphorical symbolism associated with the dove.
- Quimet's role as an agent of societal pressure and his imposition of identity on Natalia.
- The three-level impact of the doves on Natalia: physical presence, metaphorical meaning, and psychological consequences.
- The process of Natalia's liberation from social constraints.
Excerpt from the Book
2.4 The significance of the doves for Natalia
As I said in the beginning I want to distinguish three levels concerning the doves. There are at first the simple physical presents of the doves, than there can be distinguished a metaphorical significance and finally their psychological consequences for Natalia. On the same time one can also notice a growing complexity of the metaphor itself.
In the novel the metaphor “dove” is introduced on the Plaça del Diamante the first time Quimet and Natalia meet each other. Natalia is dressed in a white dress. Therefore it is not surprising that Quimet calls her “Colometa” (“ gira que gira, Colometa”, p.10). Because of her white dress the association with a dove is easy to understand. At that point we can therefore say that the metaphor is very simple (“merely acceptable”, as Uberto Eco would phrase it, 5). Additionally, it is the beginning of the metaphorical impact the doves have on Natalia, as there is no physical presents of a dove yet.
At first Natalia tries to tell him her proper name (“… y cuando le dije que me llamaba Natalia”, p. 10) but he says that she can only be called ‘Colometa’ (“… se volvió a reír y dijo que yo sólo podía tener un nombre: Colometa”, p.11). Fearfully she runs away. It seems as if she already foresees the role Quimet wants to impose on her. This is underlined by the following quotation: “porque dentro un año yo sería su señora” (p.10).
Summary of Chapters
I Introduction: This chapter establishes the thesis that the dove acts as a symbol for 19th-century societal expectations regarding women, setting the structural framework for the analysis.
II The image of the dove in La Plaça del Diamante: This central chapter explores the historical context of patriarchal Spain, the role of Quimet as a representative of these norms, and the multi-layered significance of the dove metaphor.
2.1. Society of those days: This section details the historical and Catholic ideologies that restricted women to submissive roles and domestic duties.
2.2. Quimet as a part of the society: This section analyzes Quimet's behavior as an extension of prevailing patriarchal beliefs and his active role in imposing these expectations on Natalia.
2.3 The metaphor of the dove in connection with Quimet and the society: This section contrasts the religious, positive symbolism of the dove with its zoological reality to highlight the contradictions in the societal pressure exerted on Natalia.
2.4. The significance of the doves for Natalia: This section examines the transition of the doves from a simple metaphor to a physical burden that ultimately influences Natalia’s psychological development.
III Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, confirming the dove as a metaphor for social pressure and reflecting on Natalia's eventual process of liberation.
IV Literature: This section lists the primary novel editions and secondary academic sources used throughout the paper.
Keywords
Mercè Rodoreda, La Plaça del Diamante, Natalia, Colometa, Quimet, patriarchy, societal expectations, metaphor, doves, gender roles, psychological transformation, symbolism, Spanish literature, identity, independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this term paper?
The paper explores the symbolic meaning of the dove in Mercè Rodoreda’s novel and how it represents the patriarchal societal pressure endured by the protagonist, Natalia.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
Key themes include gender dynamics, the construction of female identity, religious symbolism, and the psychological impact of domestic confinement.
What is the central research question?
The author seeks to understand how the common social opinions on gender roles at the time influenced the power dynamics between Quimet and Natalia, leading to the imposition of her identity as "Colometa".
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, combining historical context—through references to "Sección Feminina"—with close reading of the text to interpret metaphorical significance.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the societal context of 19th-century Spain, the personality of Quimet, the religious and zoological contradictions of the dove metaphor, and the evolution of Natalia's psychological state.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Important keywords include patriarchal society, metaphor, identity, symbolic liberation, domesticity, and the specific novel title La Plaça del Diamante.
How does the author interpret the name "Colometa"?
The name is interpreted as an imposition of a new identity by Quimet, meant to force Natalia into the socially accepted role of a "good wife" and to negate her own individuality.
What is the significance of the doves' eggs being destroyed?
The destruction of the eggs is viewed as a revolutionary act of liberation, where Natalia finally rejects the social pressure and begins her process of reclaiming herself from the "social cage."
- 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
