Lighting bugs, firedevils, and fireflies are all names to describe a flying bug capable of glowing in the dark. In literature these insects are often used to symbolize the simpler things in life, enjoying moments and all that comes with them. In the excerpt from Tending Roses this idea is also present through the story inside the journal titled “When Did the Fireflies Stop Dancing”. When the main character Katie reads this journal she is shown the life and death of her grandmother’s dreams and desires, she is reminded to stop and look for fireflies. In the eighth paragraph of the excerpt, the quote “I thought of how many times as a girl I stared into that faraway moon and dreamed impossible dreams” is given. In this quote the journal is telling the audience all the big dreams the grandmother used to have, being young and full of hope and belief in the impossible. The paragraph continues stating later on ”I thought of that part of me that once created bigger worlds and I mourned” showing she has lost that part of herself and she feels a lot of sorrow and regret because of it. As the story goes on the grandmother explains …show more content…
After she finished reading her grandmother's journal, the line “In the darkness of the yard, I lifted the lid and promised myself I would remember to look for the fireflies tomorrow night.” is given. This line shows the audience how deeply reading the journal has impacted her mentality, she goes from ignoring the fireflies in the beginning of the excerpt and opting to read the journal instead to promising to look for them the following day. “When Did the Fireflies Stop Dancing” acts as a call-to-action for Katie, showing her that she needs to hold on to her hopes and nurture that part of her that dreams impossible dreams while its still their or else she will be forced to bury that part of herself and mourn it just as her parents and grandmother