Symbolism of Keys in Bluebeard essays

Symbolism of Keys in Bluebeard essays The use of a key in a literary piece is an important element to symbolize a higher meaning within a story. A key could represent many different meanings. For instance, in the story Bluebeard, the key could represent life or death, knowledge, or the ability to open a whole new dimension within the story. The key signifies a very unique power in the story Bluebeard. When Bluebeard hands the key ring to his wife with the instruction to never utilize the small key to the cellar, he essentially gave her the power of life, knowledge, understanding, and the ability to open a new dimension within the story. In Women Who Run with the Wolves, Clarissa Estes states, The Bluebeard story is about a captor, the dark man who inhabits all womens psyches, the innate predator (pg. 43). Bluebeard ruled his wife from the beginning, he was essentially her captor. Bluebeard gave his wife the freedom to do anything her heart desires, but he still held her captive on his land. When he handed her the key ring and specifically told her not to use the small key he was utilizing his predator powers. It is ironic that in Bluebeard, the captor gives away the key that unlocks the wifes spirit. The key is a symbol of life for the wife and death for Bluebeard. If the woman obeyed her husband and ignored her intuition the key would have symbolized the opposite. The key represents the womans intuitive knowledge to revolt against her husband. If the woman had trusted her intuitive knowledge she wouldnt have freed herself from the arms of her predator. Finally, the key represents the ability to open a new dimension within the story. When the women open the door, the reader can envision a different side of Bluebeard, the dark side. As the story progresses, the reader experiences shifting feelings toward Bluebeard. In ...