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| Bird of Paradise |
Dede’s character within the first chapter is a complicated one. She is full of sorrow, resentment, guilt, and confusion. The entry of Dede was one of her trimming her bird of paradise of its dead branches, and this imagery definitely has significance. Dede wants to be rid of her own dead branches, be done with the burdens that she has had since the death of her three sisters. She wants to be done with all of the interviews, let go of the grief that came with being the only surviving sister.
One big aspect of Dede’s personality is the way that she feels the need to oblige everyone around her. In the beginning of the chapter, you can tell that she feels obligated to answer the interview questions every November 25, she feels obligated to show people around the house, make finger sandwiches and snacks, and basically put up with people poking around her life every year. At the end of the chapter you find out that she also feels obligated to take care of her father after he’s drank too much, she feels obligated to help out with the store and anything else that is asked of her. In a nutshell, Dede is the helper, the ‘I will give you the shirt off of my back” kind of person.
I’m focusing on this aspect of her personality because I oftentimes find myself in the same situation. It’s a very tough spot to be in when you feel like you can’t say no to a person. Being a pushover is physically and emotionally draining, and at the same time, it hurts even more to say no to people. I can relate to Dede in the respect that it’s difficult being the go to girl for everyone, especially when no one considers that you might need help too sometimes.
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