Absalom, Absalom

Wisteria, a climbing vine with cascading clusters of violet flowers, is a powerful and evocative symbol that is woven into the narrative through Ellen Coldfield, Rosa’s sister. Ellen, who marries Thomas Sutpen, becomes entwined with the plant as it envelops the Sutpen mansion. The wisteria, with its aggressive growth and pervasive nature (it is an invasive species in the southeastern United States), mirrors the past’s inexorable influence on the characters and the Southern landscape.

The wisteria’s presence is not merely ornamental but carries thematic weight. It symbolizes the entangled history and relationships that haunt the characters, weaving a narrative of both beauty and decay. As the vine creeps over the Sutpen mansion, it becomes a living emblem of the South’s historical legacy, creeping into every corner and crevice of the characters’ lives. The wisteria is a visual representation of the past’s beauty and haunting persistence.

Furthermore, the wisteria in Absalom, Absalom! underscores Faulkner’s exploration of the inevitability of time and decay. The vine’s relentless growth and eventual decline reflect the cyclical nature of history and the passage of time. In this way, the wisteria becomes a metaphor for the characters’ attempts to reconcile with their pasts and the enduring impact of historical and personal tragedies.