Anna Quindlen's "Black and Blue": A Commentary on Symbolism

In the novel Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen, there is a scene where the children fall from a Ferris wheel that is rich with symbolism that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. The scene can represent the situation of Fran and her struggles that are throughout the entire story and also be representative of abusive situations. Through the use of imagery, character reactions, and expressions one can speculate about the significance of the carnival scenario.

The imagery is key in interpreting the Ferris wheel scene and provides multiple objects that could mean something more than it appears to be. First there is the wheel itself that could represent Fran's ongoing struggle in her life and that physical pain that can come from that struggle. As the wheel goes around it has its moments where it works and then does not work. This can be similar to Fran where at one moment she is fine with her situation but at other times there is an obstacle to overcome. It could also represent the situation between her and Bobby before she left. If you look at the wheel like a clock and imagine it only going around once then this will fit for Fran's situation. For every day Fran has a physical or mental struggle with her husband. This is like the wheel if it would only go around once and the wheel would still break apart. Kind of like when that one problem happens it destroys the goodness and purity of the ride itself. This could also be like a marriage; something that is supposed to bring utter joy into one's life but instead has only cost pain.

A carnival itself is also like Fran's life at the time she is spending in Florida. Fran is supposed to be able to simply pack up and leave at the beck and whim of Patty, similar to how the employees of a carnival have no say and must pack up and go where they are told to go by their managers. A carnival is a perfect scene for Fran because it represents the unstable lifestyle that she has entered by leaving her husband. It is also ironic that Fran and her family never would go on rides or even enjoy a carnival because of her husband Bobby. Now that he is gone Fran and Robert can do as they please at a carnival and become a family like a family of carnival workers. Bobby represented stability in some kind of way, even though it was a stable abusive relationship. The scene also demonstrates the need for equality of men and women in a unique way.

When the children fall from the ride Fran alone can not save these kids, but with Mike helping her she is able to do so. It seems like Anna Quindlen is stating that it takes equal work on both sides of a relationship in order to make it work, unlike Fran's previous marriage that was a dangerous as the Ferris wheel. We also see the use of a belt as a tourniquet. This may be looked over quickly but I believe it to be significant in fitting into the equality of a relationship. Fran is still the person who uses the belt, but alone she has nothing to stop the flow of blood from the child's wound. Without a man being close by Fran may not have had enough time to save the child. Fran is able to take charge of the situation and with the help of a man, Mike, the children are both saved.

It is at the carnival scene where Fran finally takes control of a situation and people listen to her without doubt. This foreshadows the following scene that takes place with Patty Bancroft when Patty is trying to control Fran's life by moving her again. The incident at the carnival may have been a stepping stone for Fran to realize that she is capable of taking control of her life and that she will get the respect that she has deserved for so long.

When reading a story such as Black and Blue that is a real page turner, symbolism may be lost on the readers not willing to take their time with a text. This could also make Anna Quindlen seem like less of a writer because to certain people she "won't make them think" enough when they are reading a text and only consider her novels as pulp fiction because of he pacing of the story. With careful analyzing of the text one is able to see the elements of foreshadowing, the extensive use of symbolism, and the view on a higher belief in life that men and women are equal in every way and that it takes this recognition of equality to make a relationship sustain the trials that are placed in its way.