Page 13 - Ophelia's Flowers

Violet

Faithfulness, Fidelity

In the Victorian Era, Violets were believed to have the power to
shun away evil spirits, and have healing effects as an anti-septic; now it

is known as the symbol for love and faithfulness. In the play, Ophelia
tells the people in the court that she would have brought violets, but they

all withered away when her father died. Knowing that violets represent
faithfulness, we can see that she is nudging at the conscience of the King

and Queen yet again. Through mentioning Polonius, she accuses
everybody in the room for creating a situation in which her father could

be killed. The withering of the violets represents the lack of love and
faithfulness that exists within each character, as well as the state of

Denmark as a whole.

Bruno

I would give this symbol of love and faithfulness to Bruno from

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, because in the end, he takes his own
life due of his faithfulness to his Jewish friend. Although he is not fully

aware of this, Bruno has made friends with someone who he should be
calling his enemy. A child whose father runs a Jewish internment camp,

and a Jewish child who lives within the enclosures of this camp; this
friendship seems so impossible and yet it happens. It is Bruno’s empathy

and faithfulness towards Shmuel which allows for the close bond that
they form. In the final scene, Bruno’s lack of perception and great

empathy results in his untimely death. His death symbolizes the
immeasurable quantity of his faith towards Shmuel, and the love he

formed for a boy who lived a much different life than he did. This is
why Bruno should receive a violet.