46 pages • 1 hour read
The Key to Extraordinary
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Symbols & Motifs
Flowers
Flowers represent strength and courage but are also a motif representing The Impact of Family Legacy. All women in Emma’s family have a dream in which they stand amid blue flowers and receive a clue about their extraordinary destiny. Emma’s mom once explained, “We call the women in our family the Wildflowers. Because no matter how difficult the circumstance, and no matter where the wind carried them, they bloomed, bold and bright” (31). The sturdiness of wildflowers to survive all conditions equates to the strength and courage required to fulfill their destinies and leave a powerful legacy. Furthermore, Blackbird Hollow’s magical flowers are also linked to these family ideals. Keeping Susans have the power to preserve old items, keeping texts like the Book of Days and the old hymnal intact. Telling Vines share messages from the past, so Emma can unravel her own destiny and stay connected to her mom and other Wildflowers. Finally, the Starblooms illuminate Emma’s path to treasure. In addition to the magical flowers, everyday blossoms like the ones Emma sees in her dream—violets, daisies, and red roses—were also identifiers of those willing to help free previously enslaved people in the Underground Railroad, a destiny fulfilled by the Abernathy sisters. These flowers all link Emma to her family’s legacy of strength and courage. The blossoms’ power is also evident in Granny Blue’s tattoos: “Every flower on my arm has a meaning: Hope. Joy. Love, Patience. I guess I wanted permanent reminders that it’s possible to bloom even when you feel defeated” (169). Blue was burdened by her Destiny Dream because she did not become a champion boxer. However, her tattoos are a reminder of the family legacy of fortitude and courage. Strength lies in the traits that each flower represents and is a gift passed down through the women of the family.
Penny Lane
Penny Lane, the crow that Blue rescued, is a symbol of guidance, as her timely appearances in the narrative never lead Emma astray. The crow shows up when Emma first sings to the Conductor. Later, when the kids search for the chimney and buried treasure in the Wailing Woods, Penny Lane swoops overhead. Initially, Emma believes that the crow is a distraction that causes their fall down the ridge. However, they spot “Penny Lane perched proudly on the chimney’s corner” (147), as if she led them to the treasure. The human emotion of pride suggests that the bird’s goal was to get them to this location, and Penny Lane is content in her success. The crow again appears when Emma ventures into the cave beneath the cafe, and she even talks, mocking Warren Steele. The magical nature of the bird is linked to her name, Penny Lane, which is a Beatles song that blends familiar places in London with dreamlike descriptions, akin to how the bird functions in the story. Although a real animal, at times, Penny Lane seems almost magical, blurring the lines between fiction and reality and thus helping Emma navigate her magical journey. Although crows are often associated with bad omens, through her timely appearances and otherworldly presence, Penny Lane counters the cliché by repeatedly serving as a guide for Emma.
Boneyard Brew
Boneyard Brew, Granny Blue’s specialty hot chocolate, is a symbol of comfort. The drink is a favorite not just in the winter but all year round, and Emma notes the reasons why: “And it’s not just the taste of the stuff that’s so divine; it’s the way it makes people feel. Just one sip can calm a person’s nerves in a way that seems almost magical. Blue says it’s the secret ingredient” (63). Unlike a typical drink, the brew possesses not just a great flavor but also the power to soothe. The magic is the secret ingredient, revealed later to be the dust of the North Star, which provides hope. The instances when people drink the brew indicate just how powerful it is. Emma gives it to Earl after the howling wind terrifies him, and he almost smiles—more emotion than he has expressed in a long time, suggesting that the hot chocolate provides solace. Also, after discovering Lily Kate Abernathy’s grave, the girls are shaking, and Emma says, “Maybe we’re in survival mode right now. Boneyard Brew will help” (104). In fact, Cody Belle’s hands are trembling so badly that she can barely hold the mug, but “within a sip or two, some of the color return[s] to her face” (105). The impact of the drink is instant, as Cody Belle’s physical appearance immediately shifts, returning her to a calmer state. Repeatedly, characters sip the drink after harrowing experiences, cementing Boneyard Brew as a symbol of solace and comfort.
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