Table of contents Symbolism between the characters of Miriam and Mrs. Miller Another unrealistic aspect of the little girl - her journeyConclusionTwo people, one name: a woman discreet and simple against a young sedate girl. A line is drawn between imagination and reality, but this line is blurred. In Truman Capote's "Miriam", symbolism is incorporated to show that Mrs. Miller is experiencing the past in the present. A simple child is used to represent the haunting and distorted forces of human nature, and the revelation of his true instincts is brought out through awareness and confrontation. In many ways, Miriam's distinctive character symbolizes the rise of a mental illness, schizophrenia, which leads to the destruction of Mrs. Miller's subconscious. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Symbolism Between the Characters of Miriam and Mrs. Miller To begin with, Miriam's appearance separates her from typical children. She has silver-white hair and dresses in a “tailor-made plum velvet coat,” complementing the elegance of her position (Capote 3). His eyes are “hazel, steady, devoid of any childish quality,” presenting a confident and strong-willed character (Capote 7). At the same time, this behavior also suggests a loss of purity and innocence, as the experience may have removed the brilliant shine that was once in his eyes. She demonstrates a large vocabulary and speaks as if she possesses the mind of an adult; this highlights Miriam's unrealistic qualities. From another point of view, Miriam may also be a trace of the old Mrs. Miller, when she was not alone. In the process of coming of age, Mrs. Miller must face withdrawal from the real world, where she is really only punishing herself. This aspect of the story represents a “child’s imagined revenge on maturity” (Fielder 61). The young figure of Mrs. Miller returns to the past because it has overwhelmed her all this time, but she still refrains from hallucinating. Presented here are the real signs of her schizophrenia, linked to Miriam's disorders. In this story, the figure of a child symbolizes the irresistible forces of evil and distortion, as Mrs. Miller is unable to escape the little one's grasp. girl. In the beginning, Miriam arrives at Mrs. Miller's house in the middle of the night in a white silk dress (Capote 9). The timing creates a mysterious and foreboding atmosphere, and his visit serves as a parallel to the coming of darkness. Little by little, Mrs. Miller's schizophrenic nature comes to life and she imagines Miriam taking control of her life. The young apparition serves as Mrs. Miller's "primordial alter ego: an extension of her destructive, unconscious instinct" (Whissen 56). Although the illness has not surfaced, the woman can be seen as falling into the trap set by Miriam. Unable to avoid Miriam or even confront her, Mrs. Miller lets force take over. If Mr. Miller were still there, Miriam would not have been mentioned; his absence is the major downfall of Mrs. Miller's life. Therefore, the replacement with Miriam serves as a reminder that Mrs. Miller cannot live without human interactions. Another unrealistic aspect of the little girl is her past. Miriam goes to the cinema alone and asks Mrs. Miller to buy her a ticket. instead of asking a parent to do it. Additionally, she wanders around at midnight and even goes to Mrs. Miller's house, which is not in the address book. When asked, “Your mother knows where you are, doesn’t she?” she does not answer (Capote 7). This statement indicates that Miriam is only an image that Mrs. Miller, and only Mrs. Miller, can see. She is the part of herself.