As I was reading the book and getting caught up in the story it suddenly occured to me the lack of color throughout this section. After the Lady visits Lissar and gives her the white dress that is the last we hear about color. Throughout the rest of the section the main colors mentioned are black and white. When she meets the man on page 167 she is described as wearing "a dress so white it almost hurt the eyes" and "her eyes, black as her dress was white." No other mention of his clothes or colors is heard. Another mention of black and white is made on page 168 when the farmer is telling Lissar how to get to the house. "'Ware the black and white hen; she's a devil." This one particularly made me pause. Lissar wears a white dress, has white hair and black eyes but she was given these but the Lady, who we assume is kind and gentle. This reference to black and white being similar to the devil is an interesting comparison. While Lissar's depiction of black and white is calming, wonderous and inspiring, another depiction of something black and white is that of the devil and something to be avoided. I just find that very interesting and am anxious to see if it leads anywhere.
Now, black and white are not the only colors mentioned, yellow is also mentioned on page 176 - 177 when Barley and Ammy are talking about the yellow city. The yellow city is called this because the great house is made with yellow brick as are most of the other buildings. I find the sudden introduction of the color yellow intriguing. I can't help but wonder how yellow fits in with black and white. Yellow is usually the color of gold so perhaps the importance of the color yellow is that of royalty and prestige. However, I do not think that entirely answers the question of the yellow. I think that yellow stands for hope and faith as Lissar decides that this is where she must go, the yellow city. There, she hopes to find the end of her journey and answers to why she is there. The end of the journey only signifies the beginning of another. So perhaps yellow stands for this hope and new beginning while black and white signify a blankness that can be filled with whatever the seer chooses to fill it with.
I found further evidence of the lack of color on page 197 when Lissar is describing the greeting room and royal family. She makes reference to color when she is describing the room but does not give any specific details as if she is seeing them but not really seeing them. She just knows they are there. When she is describing the royal family on page 198 she states, "both of them were quietly dressed" but makes no reference to what kind of colors they are wearing. Again, this lack of color gives me sense of blankness, nothingness, as if there is no meaning in things. I feel this is how Lissar must feel, she has no meaning, no direction, she is lost and looking for a purpose. At the end of the section there is suddenly a great reference to color when she says, "she remembered him as if he dressed in bright colors: red and green and yellow and blue." (228) For me, this signifies a great turning point in Lissar. She has found a sense of meaning and purpose to her life. She is in charge of 6 little lives and will do whatever it takes to keep those pups alive. It also signifies a change in the way Lissar sees Ossin. She is beginning to see the world in a new way and that is why I believe the introduction of other colors is important. The world is no longer as big a mystery as it first was to her. Lissar has much to figure out and learn but she now sees hope.
I also wondered about the yellow of the city, and as I started thinking about the lack of color in the novel (evident especially after the appearance of the Lady), I noticed color has largely been absent throughout Deerskin so far. In the first part, the only colors described (with a few exceptions) seem to be shades of red. When Lissar chooses a color for her new bedroom, she selects pink. Later, Lissar describes them as red with her father’s attack. The queen’s hair (as well as the princess’s) is depicted as having sparks of red in the right light.
ReplyDeleteBut otherwise things are described very much in terms of black and white, from the queen’s black hair to Lissar’s white dress covered in sparkling gems. But as you said, the narration very deliberately removes all reference to color in the second part. I think it might be in part a mechanism to separate Lissar from the people around her. In the first part, the lack of color detaches us, as an audience, from the king and the court and by describing it as such separates the princess in a similar manner. But after her encounter with the Lady and journey toward the king’s city, I think it serves to distance her in showing just how different she is in this new place of vivid color. And perhaps the yellow of the city serves to highlight just how bright and lively this new place is.
It may also have greater symbolism. It could be hope, but maybe also happiness. Yellow is sometimes used as the color of happiness, and it might be a sign that Lissar has finally reached a place that will bring her joy. The city may be a place she finds meaning in her own life, with the color she sees in the bricks of the city itself slowly spreading to color the rest of her existence.
Love the discussion of color! Excellent close readings!
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