Snow and the Thaw

Snow can represent hardship and death. Snowflakes can represent individuality. A thaw, can represent the beginning of new life or rejuvenation. It represents all of these elements in the novel. While Michael is still alive, snow falls. During this time, he suffers because he cannot take his medication and ultimately dies. Before he does so, he tells Alec that he cannot be like Alec and Celia even though they want him to be. Thus, he is asserting that he is different from them. He is an individual just like each snowflake is an individual.

A thaw takes place after Michael's death. Thaws represent new life and, indeed, Alec and his family experience a thaw when Michael dies. Alec finally meets Seth's family, declares his love for him to Seth's father, and brings him to Margaret's house and Celia's wedding. Celia gets married. Margaret sells the house and is happy in her new home. When she thinks of John at Celia's wedding, it is not in a sad way. Instead it is "in wonder at all that followed." (356)