Psychoanalytic Criticism of The PWB

I am very happy that I chose this focus out of the basket. I knew immediately that I could have a lot of fun with this connection to the book and really express my thoughts.
A common psychoanalytic question is 'how symbolic is the imagery in the work?'
My answer in the form of examples in regards to the book PWB is as follows:

The white flowers taken over by African dirt. This is important in showing the reader that even the beautiful pure things are not meant to survive the harshness of the African Terrain.

Rachel, the "white rabbit". Like mentioned in class, the rabbit is often a creature symbol of trickery and deceit. We have yet to see Rachel be either of these things, but as a symbol, the white rabbit represents rarity, trickery, and perhaps bad luck.

The "overkill" of fish, dead and left to rot on the river bank. The imagery o dead fish is symbolic of the Father's goal in Africa. His goal is to help "enlighten" the people, And yet we
predict he will lead their downfall. His attempts at creating an easier and better life for them ultimately harms them. The fish is an example of the father trying to do a good thing, feed them, but instead waste fish and plague the village air with the scent of rotting fish (symbolic of death). I think his massacre of the fish is also symbolic of his lack of foresight and understanding of Africa. Back home the fish would have been put on ice and preserved, but he fails to remember this detail and his fish fall victim to the sweltering African heat.

The fake ivory hand mirror. This is symbolic of Rachel's lack of depth. She is concern solely with her material goods and strongly detests sharing with her sister. The facade of her mirror accurately mirrors her shallow ideals and her lack of "true honest" depth.
The betty crocker cake mix meltdown. This is symbolic of Orleanna's loss of control over her surroundings and sense of adaptability. She was not prepared for what the heat would do to the cake mix. Her meltdown displays her first moment of "losing her cool" it brings us far deeper than just the loss
of the cake mix. Here we realize that she is losing her motherly control. She realizes she no longer has the means to provide for her daughters in the manner that they are used to.

Anatole's face scarring. This section where his face is described is symbolic of Rachel's lack of consideration for things beyond physical perfection. She goes on to tell the reader that the African people seem content with scars as a decoration. Unlike her, the African people know that scars often represent challenges or hard circumstances that have been overcome. Perhaps in many instances those scars were obtained in near death experiences and therefore she has nothing to relate to. Her reaction to the scars, and the description of Anatole's face is symbolic of her innocence and lack of empathy.