The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2006

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-7

Chapters 8-15

Chapters 16-22

Chapters 23-27

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Stars

Stars are a constant symbol, meaning different things throughout the course of the novel. In the beginning, Edward is infatuated with the stars. Because he can’t shut his eyes and therefore can’t sleep, he lies awake and stares up at the stars while Abilene is dreaming. He is particularly struck by the description in Pellegrina’s story that says the princess was “as bright as the stars on a moonless night” (34).He finds comfort in this description because he likens himself to the princess, in that he thinks he is as beautiful as her, which means that he thinks of himself as shining bright like a star. When he is separated from Abilene and falls to the bottom of the ocean, he feels sad to be so far away from the stars, because, in a way, he feels far away from himself and the life that he had always known.

Lawrence teaches Edward the names of the constellations, and the idea that stars have names fascinates him. After Sarah Ruth dies, Edward has a dream that she is now a star. For Edward, there is often a correlation between learning the names of the constellations and repeating the names of the people he has loved. Just as the constellations are a memorable way to navigate the night sky, so too is the repetition of names like a roadmap allowing Edward to remember where he has been.

Clothing

For Edward, clothing is synonymous with his identity. As Edward’s clothing changes with each of his owners, so too does his sense of self. In the beginning of the novel, Edward is dressed in fine silk clothing which symbolizes his wealth. During this time, he pays meticulous attention to his appearance and constantly ensures that his silk clothing is in perfect order. His perfect and expensive silk clothes symbolize his vanity. Once he is separated from Abilene and falls to the bottom of the ocean, his clothes become tattered and unrecognizable. It’s during this time that Edward first begins to question his identity and purpose. Without his former clothing and possessions, he doesn’t know who he is.

Once Lawrence and Nellie rescue him, he is dressed in simple gowns like a girl rabbit. However, instead of being upset by his appearance, he embraces his new attire because he is thankful to have been saved. His new clothes reveal how he has become humbler and less concerned with his appearance. This change is even more exaggerated when he is rescued by Bull, who dresses him in vagabond garb that’s even simpler than his former outfit. This change of clothes reflects Edward’s change of perspective; by this time, he is no longer attached to his clothing or material possessions but is instead attached to Bull and Lucy. This awareness only intensifies as he meets Bryce and Sarah Ruth, by which time his clothing is nothing more than tattered rags. This clothing symbolizes his complete detachment from his material possessions, and how he finds his identity in the love he feels for those closest to him.