Magnolia Tree

Magnolia Tree

The magnolia flower appeared before bees did and are theorized to have evolved to encourage pollination by beetles. Mrs. Manstey always loved nature and admired people who shared this love. Magnolias blossom in white, pink, red purple or yellow. The magnolia flower can represent Mrs. Manstey because you can only look at it on the tree and it gives off a strong smell. Mrs. Manstey doesn’t associate herself with people and she doesn’t leave her room often, but people know she is there. A magnolia, once it is finally bloomed, lasts a long time. This idea I can relate to Mrs. Manstey’s happiness. Mrs. Manstey’s husband passed away, she lost touch with her daughter, and she barely saw her friends anymore. She didn’t have anything to really keep her happy. Then she finally realized that she loved the view from her window. She didn’t have it her whole life but it finally came to her after experimenting with things that would make her happy. When her view was going to be taken away from her by the extension, she attempted to destroy it. This led to her getting ill and passing away. This is the idea that when magnolias fall they bruise easily and smell bad. Mrs. Manstey had a downfall because she was so upset by the news of the extension. She was so hurt by this information that she committed a crime to try and fix it. Her setting the extension on fire is like the smell that a magnolia gives off after it is bruised. The image shows magnolia flowers still living on the tree and then also dead petals and flowers that have fallen off the tree. This image can be seen as showing Mrs. Manstey’s life of representing a beautiful magnolia and then representing a bruised magnolia flower after they have fallen.

Unknown

Unknown. Magnolia Tree Guide. N.d. The Tree Center. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.

http://www.thetreecenter.com/complete-guide-to-magnolia-trees/

December 14th, 2015

Erin Donlon