What is the symbolism behind burying Noa's manuscript at the end of the novel?
Created: 06/10/13
Replies: 9
Join Date: 10/15/10
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I think it symbolizes Maureen attempting to bury her guilt once and for all. With her husband, her daughter, and Noa all dead, there's no one left to remind Maureen that her version of the truth isn't all that truthful.
Join Date: 06/18/12
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Join Date: 09/05/11
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I certainly agree with the above two posts and I also feel that it was Marlene's feeble attempt to remove Noa from her life -again. If she had given it to Oliver as requested, the story would continue to be shared and she wouldn't be able to suppress her feelings. But, while she removed Noa's words, she clung to the bracelet.
Join Date: 04/18/11
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Marlene's guilt caused her to bury the manuscript. She had lived a lie for so long that she could never let the truth emerge. Burying the manuscript served as a symbol of her guilt but it also kept the manuscript from being discovered by anyone else, especially Oliver. Had he received the manuscript, the truth of Marlene's lies and culpability would have been exposed. At the end, I think she was mentally ill and incapable of accepting the truth. Perhaps she always was.
Join Date: 12/17/12
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I think burying the manuscript is also about control. Marlene tried to control everything and much of the book is about her struggling to manage events and people whom she discovers she cannot control and bully. Even though Noa died, her request to return the bracelet and to pass on the manuscript are her agency after death. Marlene is unwilling to allow Noa any power and controls her in death by silencing her futher.
Join Date: 04/23/12
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Marlene could have burned the papers instead of burying them to get rid of them. I think she buried them by Sarah as her way of putting Sarah and the manuscript out of her mind. They both defied her and took away her control.
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