Essay Questions

Explore the use of symbols in Kate Morton’s The Distant Hours.

The writer uses symbols to enhance the story. For instance, castle Milderhurst, the background used in the presentation of most events in the story is personified and resented as a living creature with feelings, sounds, and the ability to keep secrets. The castle, “is a repository for memories, a record, and retainer of all that has happened within its boundaries.” The castle remembers the time when great balls were held within its walls whereas now there are none. In this line, the castle forms a symbol of memories of all the events that were held within its walls. Also, the book Mud Man is Eddie’s symbol and determiner of the future.

Highlight an instance of a metaphor in Kate Morton’s The Distant Hours and bring out the role that it plays in the novel.

The character Edie is portrayed as having no or very few friends. Additionally, her introverted nature is brought out when the reader learns of the fact that she does not enjoy crowds but rather feels at peace with having relationships or conducting them on paper. Edie is a shy person and the writer uses her shyness as a metaphor for her loneliness as presented by her lack of many friends. This metaphor plays the role of enabling the writer to bring out the idea without being explicit.