"...Byron remembered that he had ever thought how a man's name, which is supposed to be just eh sound for whoe he is, can be somehow an augur of what he will do, if other men can only read the meaning in time." (33)
HINT HINT!
So the class has discussed the easy names so far. Like Burdens = white man's burden,and Hightower = falls from one, and there was even a post by Jules D. that had a link to one about Hines. But what about the rest? well heres a start.
Lena Grove = Grove is like a pretty forest. This brings to mind Eden, and and Lena's innocence (although she never really falls)
Byron Bunch = The good old Byronic hero (Jane Eyre, anyone?) Byron thinks that he can disregard the things that prevent him from being with Lena and fitting in with the town. But he just fails.
Joe Christmas = Joe sounds fake and Christmas sounds trivial. The name represents Christmas' lack of identity, like he is just a Joe Shmo.
I can't think of any more characters right now. But feel free to share! Or argue with me.
The Byron one sounds good. The Lena one makes sense, but the move from grove to garden of eden might be a stretch.
Posted by: Zach D. | 01/07/2010 at 10:15 PM
Although Joe may be a common name Christmas is not. The holiday is very vibrant and wonderful which I think reveals Joe's true character as a good person.
Posted by: Nick M. | 01/08/2010 at 03:52 PM
I agree with the Lena explanation because it also ties into the portrayal of her a the virgin mary at the beginning of the book. She was an innocent, pregnant, young woman wearing blue looking for a place to give birth to her child.
Posted by: Katherine Rack | 01/14/2010 at 07:12 PM