Cat's Eye Symbolism

The story Cat’s Eye comes to it’s grand conclusion, and leaves the readers stunned and in awe of Elaine’s story. The impact the title Cat’s Eye holds over the story is significant and as the story comes to a close, it’s clear what the title Cat’s Eye actually represents. From her childhood, Elaine kept a single marble as a keepsake of the times when her brother and her would play marbles. The marble was called Cat’s Eye, and the marble was a huge aspect of her childhood and symbolized her innocence and her identity. It held cherished memories and the idea of holding onto the marble during the tough periods of Elaine’s life symbolized how the marble was really a beacon of hope for her and a constant reminder of who she used to be. It was something

To begin, the title of the story Cat’s Eye represents the marble that Elaine was fond of in her childhood. She stated that the marble was something she could protect herself with, and it represented her lost childhood because as time carries on, she didn’t care much for the marble and forgot about it completely till she discovered it later on in her life. It symbolized her innocence and who she was, and when she lost the marble, she lost that part of herself as well. Later on, Elaine’s paintings have been revealed to the public, and it’s been made clear what those paintings represent. She talks about several paintings she made, describing them all in detail, and as the pieces tie together, one realizes that these paintings had a great deal to do with who she is and her past. Elaine describes an aspect of one of her paintings, saying “[s]he is the Virgin of Lost Things. Between her hands, at the level of her heart, she holds a glass object: an oversized cat’s eye marble, with a blue center.” (200) This describes how the Virgin of Lost Things, was holding a cat’s eye marble, the same marble from Elaine’s childhood. It’s safe to assume that the marble is the lost thing, and as previously mentioned the marble represented Elaine’s childhood and identity. This is just one example, as there are several other paintings depicting certain aspects of Elaine’s identity and her journey through

Most would expect a dramatic revelation, or an epiphany, however Margaret Atwood had a subtle way of tying things together. Elaine still has problems, and the demons inside her head never fully escape, but she received a sense of closure. As Elaine is standing by the bridge for one last farewell, she thinks “[t]here’s nothing more for me to see. The bridge is only a bridge, the river a river, the sky is a sky. This landscape is empty now, a place for Sunday runners. Or not empty: filled with whatever it is by itself, when I’m not looking.” (204) This signifies that whatever value this bridge held for, whatever change that happened here, no longer affects her. It’s merely a bridge in her eyes, and maybe when she turns away it becomes something so much more, but it’s best for her to not look at those kind of things, because there’s no point for her anymore. Although she hasn’t walked away from her past unscathed, the fact that she can look at something that used to hold something traumatic for her, and not feel anything at all speaks volumes. She’s not letting that memory affect her anymore, or let that stand in the way of being who she is. She knows her faults, and she knows what she’s done. But she accepts that regardless, because that’s who she is, and there’s no point dwelling on it. Elaine thinks right before leaving for home is, “[i]t’s old light, and there’s not much of it. But it’s enough to see