Significance of The Seasons

The passing of the seasons is used to symbolize a character's grow or change over time. The novel starts in the winter, often associated with death, anger, resentment, discontent as well as worry and anxiety, which seems fitting considering the anxieties of the townsfolk peak in the winter and Cora is at her unhappiest in the winter time. When spring comes it is associated with new beginnings, new acquaintances new life and the fresh youth that comes with the blossoming of flowers as well as the blossoming of romances. It is shedding the old and giving birth to new experiences. Summer is where things reach their zenith because of the heat, and it is also the season of recklessness and happiness. Finally, fall passes in the novel and represents the maturity and wisdom that comes with having lived through the other seasons. Autumn is the time of harvest and bounty and it is a time to look over one's past experiences in the previous year before winter sets in and the cycle starts again.