Question

So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.

Answer 1

Literary analysis of excerpts shows that hair often symbolizes beauty, identity, and significant character developments, embodying deeper themes within the narrative.

Step-by-step explanation:

In literature, authors often use hair as a powerful symbol to convey various themes and character traits. The descriptions you've provided show hair representing beauty, identity, and the passage of time. Descriptions touch upon characters' relationships with their hair, its impact on their self-perception, and how it affects the way others perceive them.

The emphasis on Della's hair in your excerpt suggests a potentially transformative moment, perhaps a change in her life or an act of sacrifice. The narrative about the woman running contrasts the movement and freedom implicit in her poised action with the delicate, fine fringe of her attire, possibly suggesting a blend of strength and femininity.

A character's drastic change in appearance, such as the haircut described as 'ugly as sin', can indicate an internal transformation or turmoil. The yellow hair dishevelled by the elements, and described as stubborn, could symbolise a character's resilience or unyielding spirit.