Butterflies throughout Flight Behavior
The migration pattern of butterflies is closely followed and explained to Dellarobia throughout Flight Behavior, written by Barbara Kingsolver. Due to global warming, butterflies’ existence is limited as they rely on the consistency of Earth's climate to survive and propagate. However, the seemingly helpless butterfly is used by Kingsolver as a representation of hope—the hope that humans will stop harming the Earth. Within the novel, this hope is showcased through Dellarobia’s change of heart after seeing the butterflies and the butterflies surviving the snow in Feathertown.
Dellarobia’s epiphany occurs during her first encounter with
butterflies, while she is traveling through the woods to commit adultery. Within
this moment, Dellarobia thinks to herself that the butterflies “looked like the
inside of joy” (15). Considering this thought, Dellarobia realizes that if she
continues her trek up the mountain, the destination will lead to only minutes
of pleasure and her life torn apart. After witnessing the sight of the
butterflies’ migration place, Dellarobia concludes that “[s]he could save
herself... It was not too late to undo this mess,” deciding to remain faithful
and walk down the mountain to amend her life (16). The change Dellarobia enacts
from witnessing the presence of the butterflies on the mountain is the first
time Kingsolver uses butterflies as a symbol of hope for reform.
Kingsolver's final characterization of the butterflies as a
method to signify the will for change happens after the first snow, when all
hope for the survival of the monarchs is lost. Instead, Preston and Dellarobia
see the Cook’s peach trees with countless butterflies attached, preparing for
their next migration. Dellarobia relates this moment to Jesus’ resurrection,
describing it as “[t]he resurrection and the life” (420). In the Bible, Jesus
persevered through death and was resurrected, galvanizing his followers to
unwavering faith. In the same way, the monarchs persevered through the harsh
cold and prepared for their next migration, instilling hope for the future of
Earth’s climate.
So, why didn’t the butterflies die from the snow? If the
butterflies had not survived the Feathertown winter, it would signify that
climate change is an issue that can no longer be alleviated. Rather, it would
be a problem that humans futilely attempt to solve, or brand as hopeless and
choose to ignore. Yet, Kingsolver ends Flight Behavior with the
resilient population of butterflies and with the message of hope that
symbolizes change toward addressing Earth’s complex climate issues.
A
follow-up question for possible responders: Butterflies symbolize the souls of dead children in
some cultures; how does this add/change what they symbolize throughout Flight
Behavior?
I think it's also worth noting how even though the butterflies are a sign of something bad, the butterflies themselves are beautiful. Dellarobia reflects on her initial amazement of seeing the butterflies after finding out they signify climate change, and thinks, "Why did the one rare, spectacular thing in her life have to be a sickness of nature?" (Kingsolver 204). This takes away the meaning she interpreted from it, and creates a tragic undertone to the butterflies she can't get rid of. The beauty of the butterflies to me symbolizes how many people view warmer weather. Temperatures being fairly comfortable in November is viewed positive thing in many states, but the true meaning of why this is happening is not positive. Many people overlook that aspect because they appreciate the warmer weather. However, they don't consider the long-term effects of a planet that is constantly getting warmer by the year. Additionally, I learned in high school that Coral reefs will change colors as a response to temperature changes. Some coral reefs go pale, while others develop very bright colors that are very pretty to the naked eye. However, even though it is very pretty, it is an effect of climate change and represents something much worse.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is an insightful post on the importance of butterflies as a symbol of hope in Flight Behavior. Using butterflies was a complex decision for Kingsolver to make. There is a balance between seeing butterflies as a symbol of both hope and a reminder of “evils” in the world. While butterflies are beautiful, they are not meant to be in Tennessee. I think this correlates to your follow up question. Similarly to this idea in Flight Behavior, the representation of butterflies as the souls of dead children is the balance of wonder and morbidity.
ReplyDeleteThe presence of butterflies is best explained by Ovid when he and Dellarobia present to the children. While they are “gasping goshes and wows,” it is hard not to recognize their innocent awe for the scene of butterflies (354). However, Ovid mentions “what was not so good about seeing these butterflies here” (355). It is difficult to acknowledge both the wonders of the monarchs while also recognizing what their presence means for climate change and the world as we know it. This general up and down conversation around butterflies amplifies their symbolism as a complexity between what is beautiful and what is ugly in the world.