The Japanese Quince
Symbolic Sapling
Literature is a wonderful form of escape from our daily stresses, but not every book on the shelf should be taken at face value. In John Galsworthy?s ?The Japanese Quince,? a small ornamental Oriental tree in the heart of a nearby public park plays a powerful role and is an important symbol in the life of the ?well known? Mr. Nilson. The quince tree represents life, growth, freedom and joy, all of which Mr. Nilson is lacking in his daily schedule.
Mr. Nilson is a well-to-do London businessman who follows the patterns of the wealthy and takes advantage of its benefits, yet Mr. Nilson is far more unfortunate than the classification he looks down upon. Mr. Nilson may have the life of the wealthy, but he does not live a rich life. An average day in the life of Mr. Nilson consists mainly of schedule and order, to everything its own place and time. As mentioned before, his breakfast is served to him at precisely eight-thirty each morning. On one specific morning, Mr. Nilson feels an uncomfortable sensation ?just under his fifth rib? (73), and proceeds to exit out his French window in his
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