Symbolism

Symbolism is the most important stylistic feature of "Flowering Judas." The most important thing to understand about Porter's use of symbolism is that it is multi-faceted and ambiguous. Indeed, symbols that Porter employs often refer to one idea and also its opposite. The story's central symbol, the flower from the Judas tree, is a example. The flower first appears when Laura tosses it out the window, which misleads her suitor. She uses the flower, an encouraging sign, in order to say "No" to her suitor—the "holy talismanic word" from which Laura draws her strength. The exotic flower is a sensuous image, and the fact that she uses it to reject the man suggests Laura's sexual ambivalence and repression. When the flower appears later in Laura's nightmare it is again a sensual image—she eats it greedily—but this time it doubles as a symbol...