Symbolism In Sue Monk Kidd's 'The Invention Of Wings'

1. The title The Invention of Wings was one of the first inspirations that came to Sue Monk Kidd as she began the novel. Why is the title an apt one for Kidd’s novel? What are some of the ways that the author uses the imagery and symbolism of birds, wings, and flight? The author, Sue Monk Kidd, uses symbolism of birds, wings, and flight to represent the overcoming of Sarah and Handful. Sarah’s flight included her attempt to fight against the restrictions she held as a women. Because she was a female, she was expected to take part inwomanly duties, such as being a good wife to Israel while giving up as a minister, or never becoming a lawyer, a profession she had always dreamed of since childhood. Sarah’s metaphorical flight was achieved when she succeeded as a nationwide public speaker, spreading thoughts of quakerism and feminism among her fellow American citizens regardless of restricting conditions. Handful dealt with her female gender and presence as an “insignificant” minority in that time period, such a minority that the white majority overlooked and quite literally treated as slaves. Her flight
The story includes a number of physical objects that have a special significance for the characters (symbolism): Sarah’s fleur de lis button, Charlotte’s story quilt, the rabbit-head cane that Handful receives from Goodis, and the spirit tree. Choose one or more of these objects and discuss their significance in the novel. Sarah’s fleur de lis button, in the beginning of the novel, symbolized her original hopes and dreams of practicing law. But when her father says that she can never achieve the dream, she disposes of the button, representing her giving up of her dreams. When Handful retrieves the button and returns it to Sarah, it represents her new hopes and desires, maintaining a constant theme of hopes, dreams, and desires.

4. What are some of the examples of Handful’s wit and sense of irony, and how do they help her cope with the burdens of