The Symbolism of Nature in the Tree of Red Stars
The Symbolism of Nature in the Tree of Red Stars
The book “ The Tree of Red Stars” written by Tessa Bridal, gives historical account of the political turmoil and social conditions that existed in Uruguay in the 1960’s. The story is about love and ideals under siege and begins with an autobiographical landscape and reaches into fiction and history. The author was herself born and raised in Montevideo, Uruguay and as a young girl; she had witnessed the gradual power shift in her country into the hands of the military. Her novel is a tender story of love and friendship and terrifying, personal look at Uruguay and the turmoil that existed there in the 60’s. During the course of the story, Bridal has used the Rio-de La Plata and the old poinsettia tree, estrella federal to depict tone, ideas and events at various points in the story.
The story begins with the narrator Magda returning to Uruguay from Europe, where she had spent seven years in exile. As her plane approaches Montevideo’s airport, she sees majestic Rio-de La Plata, which brings back to her happy memories of her childhood: “One hundred twenty miles wide, the river resembled the Atlantic ocean with which it merged at its widest point. I had walked its shores, loved its changing colors, and been buffeted by its waves all my growing-up years. My family’s ties with the river were strong. My grandfather had once owned a hotel on the beaches of Montevideo, and its foundation could still be seen in the sand.(6)” Further ahead, as Magda drives down the coastal road, she feels as if the water of the Rio de la Plata, were welcoming her arrival: “We drove along the coastal road; our view unimpeded… I put my head out of the window of Emilia’s Volkswagen and breathed the cool air, sensing welcome in the Rio de la Plata’s pale blue waters.(7)” Magda had always admired the Rio, in spite of its turbulent nature. The following excerpt best describes this: “I longed for my own river, that changeable, friendly giant. The Rio de la Plata was moody, rough, gentle, and wild, and to me, always beautiful. The river rejected unwanted offerings harbored life, and took it. (4)” The political situation in Uruguay was volatile and was to go out of control in a matter of time. This was much similar to...