Symbolism In Joseph M. Flora's Absinthe

150 Words1 Pages
The girl then indirectly expresses her resentment towards the American’s behaviour. When she compares the new drink he ordered, the Anis del Toro, with licorice, he responds, “That’s the way with everything”. She then says: “Yes,” “Everything tastes of licorice. Especially all the things you’ve waited so long for, like absinthe. “ (252). Absinthe, a strong alcoholic drink with some bitterness, has an Anise flavour, as well as licorice. The girl does not like its taste, but neither does she like what the American wants her to do. Absinthe is compared to his wish of her having an abortion. What he wants seems bitter to her, unpleasant. As Joseph M. Flora says, “ The girl agrees, unhappily, that life moves inevitably toward the bitter.” (45).