Water Symbolism: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Introduction

Water is one of the most important symbols in Chinese culture. It represents both death and rebirth. In Everything I Never Told You, water is used to symbolize the death of Lydia and the rebirth of her family.

Lydia’s death is symbolized by the lake where she drowned. The lake is a place of death and despair. It is where Lydia’s body is found. The lake is also a place of rebirth. After Lydia’s death, her family starts to heal and come back together.

The use of water symbolism in Everything I Never Told You helps to create a powerful story about grief, love, and hope.

The Power of Water Symbolism

One of the most prevalent themes in the novel is that of water. Water is used as a symbol for a number of things, including grief, hope, and redemption. The Lees often turn to water for solace in their time of need. For example, after Lydia’s death, her mother often sits by the lake near their home, remembering Lydia and all that she was.

Water is also used as a symbol of hope. In Chinese culture, water is seen as a purifying force. It is believed that if one washes away their sins in water, they will be reborn anew. This is something that the Lee family is hoping for after Lydia’s death. They are hoping that by cleansing themselves of their own secrets and lies, they can start fresh and move on from the tragedy.

Finally, water is also used as a symbol of redemption. In the novel, it is revealed that Lydia’s father had an affair with a student when he was a professor. This affair led to the death of the student’s baby. Lydia’s father is wracked with guilt over this and feels that he can never redeem himself. However, his wife tells him that even though he made a mistake, he is still a good man and she forgives him. This act of forgiveness is signified by the fact that she washes his feet in a basin of water. In doing so, she is effectively washing away his sins and giving him a chance at redemption.

The power of water symbolism is evident throughout the novel. Water is used as a way to grief, hope, and redemption. The Lee family turns to water time and time again in order to deal with the tragedy of Lydia’s death. In doing so, they are able to find some measure of peace and healing.

How Water Symbolism Helps Us Understand a Novel

Water is one of the most important symbols in literature. It can represent life, death, birth, and rebirth. It can be a symbol of purity or impurity. It can be a metaphor for our emotions or our spiritual state. In short, water is a powerful symbol that can help us understand everything, even the things we never told you.

For example, water can symbolize the emotions we keep hidden. Just as water can be calm or raging, so too can our emotions. The deep waters of our soul can be a place of great peace or great turmoil. By understanding the symbolism of water, we can better understand the hidden depths of our own hearts.

Water can also symbolize the spiritual journey. Just as water flows from high to low, so too does our journey through life. We start out in a state of innocence and ignorance, but as we travel down the river of life we gain knowledge and wisdom. The symbolism of water can help us understand the ups and downs of our spiritual journey, and how to navigate them.

So, the next time you come across a symbol of water in literature, take a moment to consider what it might be trying to tell you. It just might be the key to understanding everything, even the things you never told you.

Conclusion

Water Symbolism: Everything I Never Told You is a novel about grief, love, and hope. The use of water symbolism throughout the novel helps to create a powerful story about the different ways we deal with loss. Water is used as a symbol for a number of things, including grief, hope, and redemption. The Lees often turn to water for solace in their time of need. For example, after Lydia’s death, her mother often sits by the lake near their home, remembering Lydia and all that she was.

Finally, water is also used as a symbol of redemption. In the novel, it is revealed that Lydia’s father had an affair with a student when he was a professor. This affair led to the death of the student’s baby. Lydia’s father is wracked with guilt over this and feels that he can never redeem himself. However, his wife tells him that even though he made a mistake, he is still a good man and she forgives him. This act of forgiveness is signified by the fact that she washes his feet in a basin of water. In doing so, she is effectively washing away his sins and giving him a chance at redemption.