After the snow began to melt everything became muddy. Mud is a metaphor for change, unwelcome change. Snow was also a metaphor for freedom as and it allowed Craig and his brother momentary respite from their stifling house, the rigid family rules, and the rigors of school. It is also a fond reminder of his visit with Raina as he visited her during the winter school break. Snow was metaphoric for joy and youthful innocence, especially when Craig was a child as it cushioned their falls when they tripped. The snow, like the blanket is also a multifaceted metaphor. The effort she puts into making the quilt and her deliberate care in selecting the pieces of cloth used turn it from a metaphor for care and love.

She gives Craig a quilt that she makes herself from bits and pieces of cloth of various patterns but each carefully selected because of a symbolic meaning attached to it. The blanket would taken on a different metaphorical meaning when he enters into a romantic relationship with Raina. The blanket would often be a point of contention for the two of them as they would end up fighting over it when nights were cold and its very presence was a nuisance to them when summer came around as it was too hot. They were so poor growing up that he had to share a bed and a single blanket with his younger brother. It was a metaphor for lack, poverty, and suffering for the author-artist as a child. The blanket is a metaphor that holds multiple meanings within the narrative. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

Blankets novel