52 pages • 1 hour read
Jennifer A. NielsenWords on Fire
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Magic
At the age of 12, Audra “[knows] magic [isn’t] real” (1), demonstrating her maturity. However, throughout the novel, during times of danger or fear, she frequently does wish for a magical intervention, reminding readers that she still is just a child. Magic has always been a part of Audra’s life because of her father’s work as a traveling magician, but it takes on new meanings for her when she starts smuggling.
The night of her parents’ arrest is also the night of the summer solstice, which, according to Lithuanian folklore, is full of magic. The magical frivolity stands in stark juxtaposition to the trauma Audra experiences that night; however, by claiming to have found the mythical fern blossom, Violeta is able to use the night’s “magic” to keep Audra safe from Rusakov.
Henri’s magic tricks help Audra feel connected to her father even while they are apart and, as she quickly learns, become a useful tool in book smuggling. Despite her initial self-consciousness, Audra uses magic tricks to convince Lukas to help her to Venska, keep Roze calm during a search, and save Milda from arrest. The skills needed to accomplish magic tricks—thinking creatively, redirecting an audience, sleight of hand—make Audra a successful smuggler. Through doing magic tricks, Audra gains confidence in herself and a sense of power to resist the Russian occupation.
After months of book smuggling, Audra learns that “the true magic” (310) lies within the pages of Lithuanian books, for these have the incredible power of transmitting ideas and sustaining hope for a better future.
The Story of Rue
Nielsen utilizes an embedded narrative within this novel when Lukas tells Audra the story of Rue. This story within a story functions as a motif and symbol within the greater narrative. As a motif, the initial story and its continuation distract Audra during fearful or stressful times. It also teaches Audra the power of a story, and as she learns to read and write, she begins to see herself in Rue’s character, which inspires her to continue resisting the occupation.
Lukas’s first version also teaches Audra the purpose of symbolism within a story, which they go on to discuss. Audra figures out that Rue symbolizes Lithuania as a country, who trusts the smugglers and freedom fighters (the bear) to help her keep her family’s land from being controlled by the Russian Empire (the snake). Writing down more chapters for this story empowers Audra to use her voice and sustains her confidence that one day Rue’s land will be free of the snake.
Rue Flowers
Nielsen incorporates rue flowers as a recurring symbol throughout the novel. Rue, called “rūta” in Lithuanian, is a low shrub with greenish blue leaves and yellow flower petals. As Audra sees at the village wedding, rue flower crowns are traditionally worn by brides and then replaced by another head covering once they are married. This symbolizes the transition from adolescence to married life and parallels the transition from childhood to young adulthood that Audra experiences during her year as a book carrier.
Rue is the national flower of Lithuania, which provides an additional implication that the fairytale hero is symbolic of Lithuania as a whole. The fact that Henri has nicknamed Audra “Rue” also suggests that his generation of activists intends to secure Lithuania’s independence for the younger generation. The rue bouquet that Audra finds on Milda’s grave at the end of the novel not only announces her parents’ return but also symbolizes Lithuania’s forthcoming independence.
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By Jennifer A. Nielsen
