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Motif
Explanation and Analysis—Apricots:
Apricots are a motif in the novel. They represent hope, joy, and comfort in difficult times. They first appear when Carl returns to the Divide in Part 2. Marie breaks off a branch of fruit and asks Carl if he planted the apricot trees. He confirms with Alexandra that they are indeed the "circus trees" they planted long ago. They reminisce together about the day they tried to go to the circus but did not have enough money. Dejected, they returned home.
On the way, they ran into a man selling apricots for just 25 cents a peck. They had enough money between them for three pecks. After enjoying the abundance of fruit, they planted all the seeds. It took until now for the trees to bear fruit. Carl is startled that the trees he gave up on years ago are now giving something back to him. Just as the cheap apricots offered consolation and abundance at a time when scarcity had denied Alexandra and Carl the pleasure of a day at the circus, the apricot trees welcome Carl home to the Divide and symbolize the still-living hope that this place might hold opportunity for him.
Later, in Part 3, Chapter 1, Marie hosts Alexandra and Mrs. Lee at her and Frank's house for the afternoon. She serves her guests apricot rolls, a Czech delicacy:
Marie took out a pan of delicate little rolls, stuffed with stewed apricots, and began to dust them over with powdered sugar.
Marie has been very unhappy of late on account of Emil's absence and Frank's abuse. She confesses to Alexandra that she had been crying the last time they spoke on the phone. But for now, Frank is out, and Marie is in the company of friends. The apricot rolls, for which she most likely used the very same apricots Alexandra and Carl once planted, represent a gentle grasp at normalcy and happiness in a dark time.
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