How do you think the Berlin Wall works as a metaphor in the novel? How does this resonate with your own associations from this time?

How do you think the Berlin Wall works as a metaphor in the novel? How does this resonate with your own associations from the time of its fall?

I am having hard time seeing a metaphor here. It is probably just me but hopefully someone will draw me a picture.

As you pointed out in answer to another question, joyes, I too think this is a coming of age story more than anything. In that way maybe the Berlin Wall is a metaphor for the walls of Kate's youth falling away. Her horizons are expanding, etc.. Possibly a bit far fetched, but I'm putting it out there for discussion. I'm open to others' opinions on this. What do you think?

I felt like the dysfunction of the family was related to the Berlin Wall. Every facet of this group was crumbling in some way.

It was pretty abstract. I guess the wall was symbolic of those things that we think of as permanent and stable no lasting forever. That could be relationships, talent, health or whatever else we hold sacred in this world. The wall could have also Been there to show a time in history that also was undergoing a lot of chance. A nice parallel to the central story.

Hmmm... I have to admit that I never thought of the Berlin Wall as a "metaphor" in this book.

Actually, I didn't think the Berlin Wall had much to do with the story,except that it showed that Lydia's work involved current world events.

I agree with Linda B. I also think it was representative of Kate. She wanted to "break out" and become her own person, and yet she stuck with her oldself for quite awhile; people pleasing, codependency. Like the people in East Berlin who didn't have many choices when the wall was up, Kate went along with what she knew regarding her old behaviors. It took her awhile to break down that wall and find who she really wanted to be.
I remember when the turmoil was going on about the Berlin Wall coming down. It was a process that took awhile. It didn't just happen in a day or so. People living in East Berlin weren't sure how it was going to affect them. Would they still have there state jobs and pensions? It must have been frightening and confusing. Change is never easy, and that is what Kate finally realized.

River Lee put it very well - the Berlin Wall was representative of the change going on in Kate's life.