64 pages • 2 hours read
Jeannette WallsHang the Moon
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
The Wagon
The wagon the Duke gifts Sallie symbolizes Sallie’s individuality and strength. Sallie’s evolving connection with the wagon serves as a metaphor for her personal journey, encapsulating her aspirations and the hurdles she encounters along the way. The wagon’s name, Defiance Coaster, emblazoned with bold black and red letters, reflects Sallie’s determination to challenge conventions and break free from societal constraints. When Sallie recounts how driving the wagon along with the Duke made her feel invincible, it reinforces the idea that the wagon symbolizes her admiration for the Duke and her willingness to confront life’s challenges head-on. As Sallie practices driving the wagon, her increasing skill reflects her growing self-confidence and belief in her abilities. The wagon becomes her only loyal companion, as “most days, it’s just [Sallie] and the Defiance Coaster” (11).
The wagon also symbolizes Sallie’s deep-rooted yearning for freedom, autonomy, and the opportunity to forge her own destiny. Driving it triggers a visceral emotional response in Sallie, with her “heart thumping hard” (10) like never before, underscoring its impact on her sense of self, her perception of attainable dreams, and her quest to break free from the confines that have shaped her life. Sallie’s statement that “getting the right to vote was well and good, but it’s cars and roads that have done the most to change things for women” (241) reveals the significance of the wagon as a symbol of women’s emancipation from societal restrictions. It emphasizes how technological advancements, like cars and improved infrastructure, have been pivotal in liberating women from depending on men.
Lastly, the wagon also encapsulates the duality of ambition and adversity. While it empowers Sallie, it also causes Eddie’s injury and Sallie’s banishment from the Big House. This dichotomy underscores the idea that pursuing one’s aspirations comes at a cost. As Sallie leaves, the wagon carries her away from a place of limitations and into a realm of self-discovery.
Jane’s Black Dress
Jane’s black dress symbolizes the unpredictability of life, as highlighted by the ironic twist of Jane purchasing it “a few months ago for funerals” without knowing that “the next funeral she’d be attending would be her own” (28). This unexpected turn of events reflects the capricious nature of fate, emphasizing how life can take unexpected turns, leaving individuals unprepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
The dress also symbolizes the complex mother-daughter relationship between Sallie and Jane. When Sallie dons the dress for the funeral, it mirrors the emotional burden Sallie carried in her relationship with Jane. The mention of the dress reeking of the “danged lilac perfume” (29) adds another layer of symbolism, highlighting Jane’s lingering authority and Sallie’s discomfort.
Eddie’s anger seeing Sallie in Jane’s black dress speaks to the complicated emotions tied to the dress, as it amplifies the already strained tension between Sallie and her half-brother. Furthermore, Dutch Weber’s criticism of Sallie for hastily claiming her stepmother’s belongings sheds light on the judgmental nature of the upper class. Weber’s comment, “poor woman ain’t even in the ground yet, and Annie Powell’s daughter is already making off with her clothes” (29), results in a fight and ultimately his death.
Lastly, the dress becomes a metaphor for the expectations and judgment that Sallie feels, even after Jane’s passing. It’s a constant reminder that Sallie was forced to become a misfit and outcast within her own family. In this way, the dress is a specter of Jane’s influence, haunting Sallie and diminishing her ability to find closure.
The Piano
Eddie’s piano is a multifaceted symbol that encompasses his emotions, artistic nature, and relationships. Through its music, the piano becomes a canvas upon which Eddie paints his feelings and experiences. The shifts in his piano playing mirror his emotional journey, revealing the depth of his sorrow and his struggle to find meaning after his significant losses. For Eddie, the piano is more than just an object; it is a source of comfort, a means of catharsis, and an essential part of his identity. He practices it “all the time without Jane having to tell him to” (11), which underscores the intensity of Eddie’s connection to the instrument.
As an extension of Eddie’s emotions, the piano is also a symbol of Eddie’s grief, highlighting the theme of Loss and Loneliness. Eddie’s piano playing takes on additional significance after Jane’s death. The piano becomes a vessel for catharsis, enabling him to externalize his pain and providing a therapeutic avenue for coping with loss. The connection is clear when he “stares out the window at Jane’s roses” (51) while playing “slow and sad, dark yet somehow soothing” (42) melodies. After the Duke’s death, the silence of the piano symbolize Eddie’s inability to find solace or healing through his music, showcasing the profound impact of grief on his emotional and mental state.
Finally, the piano serves as a bridge that connects Eddie and Kat, his stepmother. Through their playing together every afternoon, they can communicate without the need for direct conversation. This silent connection is particularly poignant, given the strained relationships within the Kincaid family. Furthermore, with Seymour’s arrival, Eddie plays the piano “for the first time since the Duke died” (109). Seymour, with his unique ability to make others feel valued and special, has a positive impact on Eddie. Under Seymour’s influence, Eddie starts “playing the piano again” (110), symbolizing his emotional healing and rejuvenation.
Related Titles
By Jeannette Walls
