The Key to Extraordinary

Flowers represent strength and courage but are also a motif representing The Impact of Family Legacy. All women in Emma’s family have a dream in which they stand amid blue flowers and receive a clue about their extraordinary destiny. Emma’s mom once explained, “We call the women in our family the Wildflowers. Because no matter how difficult the circumstance, and no matter where the wind carried them, they bloomed, bold and bright” (31). The sturdiness of wildflowers to survive all conditions equates to the strength and courage required to fulfill their destinies and leave a powerful legacy. Furthermore, Blackbird Hollow’s magical flowers are also linked to these family ideals. Keeping Susans have the power to preserve old items, keeping texts like the Book of Days and the old hymnal intact. Telling Vines share messages from the past, so Emma can unravel her own destiny and stay connected to her mom and other Wildflowers. Finally, the Starblooms illuminate Emma’s path to treasure. In addition to the magical flowers, everyday blossoms like the ones Emma sees in her dream—violets, daisies, and red roses—were also identifiers of those willing to help free previously enslaved people in the Underground Railroad, a destiny fulfilled by the Abernathy sisters.