Abstract
This thesis seeks to prove the existence of a well-planned, pattern of
images and symbols in Proust's work, a pattern denied him by many critics.
The images which concern us the most are the flower images through which
we can analyse Proust's "human landscape". That is, Proust expressed his
main theme, built up a symbolic code of colours, described his important
characters, and contrasted Society and Nature - Paris salons and Combray
countryside - through his flower imagery. The main theme which this thesis
follows most closely is that of the apprenticeship of the young artist, who
must be tested by suffering, symbolized by the storm motif which is associated
with many flowers. Proust's important colours, in brief, are the white of
innocence, ignorance, or denial of suffering; the red of experience or
passion, in all senses of the word; and the mauve or black of dangerous love,
especially homosexuality or lesbianism. The main characters we will trace
through various flower symbols are Marcel himself, Gilberte, the Duchess of
Guermantes, Odette, Swann, Aunt Leonie, Charlus, and, perhaps most important
of all, Albertine. The hawthorns, the apple blossom, the pear blossom, the
red and violet flowers of the Guermantes' estate, the lilacs, the dried limetree
blossoms, the water-lilies, the cattleya, the orchid and the pine tree,
the rose and the forget-me-not all deserve and obtain a chapter each. Another
chapter discusses the grand panorama of the seasons, which Proust expressed in
vast human landscapes found in Odette's winter garden salon, the Bois de
Boulogne, and the winter forest of aged friends which confronts Marcel at the
final reception at the Guermanteso In this study of the seasons, social and
natural, we find Proust, through Marcel emphasizing the sterility of denying
the processes of change in this world and the creativity of accepting Time
and incorporating it into a work of art. Since Proust did, in fact, plan his
novel extremely carefully, an analysis of his conclusions forms the conclusion
of this thesis.
