"What role does 'place' play in
forming one's identity? How does this affect the narrator in her life?"
The narrator's life and her identity is shaped by this
foreign land that she has moved to. Coming from a western world, as a woman,
into an Arabic country, there are certain cultural perceptions that will
ultimately alter her identity.
The foreignness felt by the narrator is conveyed
throughout the story. "My husband translated all this for me and said
things to her which I have come to understand meant that tomorrow I would get
used to their ways." This quote represents her inability to conform to the
cultural and social acceptances.
"If I tried to do the shopping the prices
trebled." indicates that even the local merchants tried to take advantage
of her 'foreignness' as she was incapable of altering herself to meet their
demands or expectations.
Perhaps the most apparent portrayal of the result of the
setting on the narrator is the "fading love" experienced between her
and her husband. The flashbacks present within the story, "My second
summer here was the sixth of our love - and the last of our happiness."
allude to the vast differences between their relationship at various times.
This foreshadowing as well as an imminent doom, relationship wise, allows the
reader to sense the regret and deep emotional state experienced by the
narrator.
The narrator was from Europe and her marriage to an
Egyptian man has cross-cultural implications. Even though "the inferior
status of women" was explained to her, she still went through with this
marriage. One could presume that the narrator's ethnocentrism was evident in
assuming that her marriage would be more like a western one. "My
foreignness, which had been so charming, began to irritate him." indicates
that once he had returned home, the narrator's inability to change her to her
setting, her 'place' affected their relationship. This is backed by, "He
was back home, and he needed someone he could be at home with, at home."
indicates that the narrator herself is aware of the implication her inability
to conform is having on her relationship.
Lucy, is the daughter she gave birth to yet she refers to
Lucy as 'his daughter' indicating that even though they are both her parents;
the narrator identifies Lucy as belonging to him since she was born and raised
in this foreign land. "My treasure, my trap" allows the reader to
notice that the narrator, this woman, wants to escape, to leave, but she is
held back by the maternal love she has for her daughter.
The place or setting is the biggest factor in this short
story, it is a reason for the couple's fading love and growing estranged. The
setting places the narrator in a foreign land, whose cultural values have a
negative impact on her causing her to fade from blissful love to saddening
regret and hurt. Her identity is altered to that of a foreigner as perceived by
those around her and this changes her mind set, perceiving herself differently,
as a different person.
I would love to hear how you understood this short story. Leave
your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.
the analysis was extremely helpful and quite well structured however could you tell how the symbolism is used in the story and the way the sea and sand describe the changing relationship of the woman with her husband along with describing her life...
ReplyDeleteurgent request
I think while sea symbolizes her and Western culture, the land, sand and continent Africa symbolizes him and Eastern culture.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the late reply to the first question... Hope this answers it. And while the above comment is perfectly correct, you might be required to answer more in depth in an essay styled question.
ReplyDeleteHere's my response... Too long for a comment.
In my opinion the sea is actually her memories.
ReplyDeletehow does the title relate to the whole story?
ReplyDeletethe sandpiper is a bird, and birds are free, without having to conform, whereas the author, in her story, is made to conform, and is confined. so, you can say that the title is meant to emphasise further, with irony, the author's situation.
ReplyDeleteHer husbands the sea, shes the sand- the sea nibbling at the sand implies quarreling. Sandpiper is a bird that lives on the coast, so is inbetween a water and land dwelling bird. This could represent lucy (50-50 between parents). At the end it implys that the sea and sand know nothing about eachother. "And what does the sea know about..."
ReplyDeleteThat is a great take on the story's title. Remember, most perspectives are accepted if backed up with quotes and evidence.
ReplyDeletecan you tell me that what are the symbolism in this story??
ReplyDeletewhat's the ending of the story ??
ReplyDeletehow does story ends ??
The way she walks on the path trying not to disturb even a grain of sand
ReplyDeletesymbolizes her desire to be passive and not disturb the even keel of
life, at least for the time being. The narrator’s mind is like the deep
ocean that contains startling depths. So close to the ocean are the hot
sands of the desert that spread for miles beyond.
the story is basically titled "sand piper" as the women in the story dreamt of freedom and has a desire for it as she feels captivated and imprisoned , and sand piper is a name of coast bird that represent freedom .
ReplyDeletesurely its the other way around? That she is the sea, and he is the sand. The sea is cold the sand is hot, representing their two different home lands. And the last line could represent their love, which exists only in the shallow waters where they meet and is nothing deeper. They know nothing of each-other.
ReplyDeletei like the way u have analyzed the story
ReplyDeleteplz give a detail account of the character of the woman. it will be very helpful is u do so. and thank you for the analysis.
ReplyDeleteplz give a detail account on the character of the woman, it'll be very helpful if you do so. and thankyou for the analysis they were really helpful in understanding the story.
ReplyDeleteam getting confused,,someone please help who is e sea and who is the sand
ReplyDeletethe way she walks on the path trying not to disturb even a grain of sand symbolizes her desire to be passive and not disturb even the keel of life, at least for the time being.the narrators mind is like the deep oceanthat contains startling depths.so close to the ocean are the hot sands of the desert that spread for miles beyond.
ReplyDeleteits true. i agree with you.
ReplyDelete