The Day of the Butterfly: An Analysis

The Day of the Butterfly is a classic story written by Alice Munro in the late 1960s. It tells the story of a young girl, named Laura, who is coming of age in a small Canadian town and is struggling to navigate her relationships with her family, friends, and the opposite sex. The story is told from Laura’s perspective, with her thoughts and feelings playing a key role in the narrative. In this article, we will analyze the themes, characters and narrative elements of The Day of the Butterfly and consider how they contribute to our understanding of the story.

Themes

The Day of the Butterfly presents several themes related to coming of age and growing up. Laura is at a crossroads in her life, trying to understand her own identity and her place in the world. The story explores themes of gender roles, family relationships, and the power of choice. Laura’s father is a traditional man who expects his daughter to conform to certain gender roles. Laura’s mother, on the other hand, is more open-minded and encourages her daughter to make her own decisions. The story also touches on the idea of time passing and the inevitability of growing up. Despite Laura’s desire to remain a child, she must eventually accept the fact that she is growing up and must make her own choices.

Characters

The characters in The Day of the Butterfly are well-developed and provide insight into the themes of the story. Laura is the protagonist of the story and is the focus of the narrative. She is a sensitive and thoughtful young girl who is torn between her desire to stay a child and her need to grow up. Her relationship with her mother is a key element in the story, and her mother’s encouragement helps her to make her own decisions and find her own path. Laura’s father is also an important character, as he represents the old-fashioned values that Laura must confront and ultimately reject. The other characters in the story, including her friends, her romantic interest, and her grandmother, are also important and add to the themes of the story.

Narrative Elements

The Day of the Butterfly is told from Laura’s point of view, which allows us to gain insight into her innermost thoughts and feelings. The story also uses symbolism to emphasize certain themes, such as the butterfly which represents Laura’s transition from childhood to adulthood. The use of imagery also contributes to the story’s mood and atmosphere, as the reader is able to picture the characters and their environment in vivid detail. Finally, the use of dialogue helps to bring the characters to life and further develops their relationships with each other.

The Day of the Butterfly is a classic story about coming of age and growing up. Through its themes, characters, and narrative elements, the story provides insight into the struggles of adolescence and the importance of making one’s own decisions. It is a timeless story that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.