The wreath of orange blossoms that the Bridegroom gives to the Bride on their wedding day signifies their community’s lavish and materialistic beliefs about marriage. Proud of the impressive wreath he has presented to his future wife, the Bridegroom boasts to her about the fact that it will last forever because it’s made of wax, a sentiment that illustrates his investment in material items, as he takes pride in the idea that she can truly possess these flowers. This impulse toward ownership and external beauty is exactly what keeps him and everybody else from recognizing that the Bride wants more out of a relationship than beautiful objects and worldly possessions. Of course, the only person who does understand this is Leonardo, who comments that a smaller wreath would “suit” the Bride better. By saying this, he demonstrates his ability to pinpoint what the Bride actually likes and wants. Because the orange-blossom wreath becomes the focal point of this discrepancy, then, it comes to stand for the vast disconnect between the Bride’s desire for true love and her community’s fixation on marriage as a transaction of tantalizing but altogether emotionally insignificant benefits.
The Orange Blossoms Quotes in Blood Wedding
SERVANT. It’s no time to be feeling sad. (Spiritedly.) Give me the orange-blossom. (The BRIDE throws the wreath away.) Child! Don’t tempt fate by throwing the flowers on the floor! Look at me now. Don’t you want to get married? Tell me. You can still change your mind. (She gets up.)
BRIDE. Dark clouds. A cold wind here inside me. Doesn’t everyone feel it?
LEONARDO (getting up). I suppose the bride will be wearing a big wreath of flowers? It shouldn’t be so big. Something smaller would suit her better. Did the bridegroom bring the orange-blossom so she can wear it on her heart?
BRIDE (she appears still in petticoats and with the wreath of flowers in place). He brought it.
SERVANT (strongly). Don’t come out like that.
BRIDE. What’s the matter? (Seriously.) Why do you want to know if they brought the orange-blossom? What are you hinting at?
LEONARDO. What would I be hinting at? (Moving closer.) You, you know me, you know I’m not hinting. Tell me. What was I to you? Open up your memory, refresh it. But two oxen and a broken-down shack are almost nothing. That’s the thorn.
The Orange Blossoms Symbol Timeline in Blood Wedding
