Study Buddies discussion

There are two references to butterflies. One is the name of Valek's "poison" and the other is the pendant that Valek carves for Yelena. How do butterflies relate to Yelena? What other symbols in the book represent Yelena's quest for freedom?

Valek says in the book that the butterfly is like Yelena in a way that it looks delicate but has an inner strength. Also, Butterfly Dust could be connected to Valek and Yelena's love in the way that Valek says that Yelena slipped under his skin and poisoned him with her love. ALSO... the butterfly could signify the spreading of ones wings and learning to live life as is represented in Yelena's life and the troubles she has to face and the realization she comes to later that she still has her soul, she is strong, she can live her life the way she wants to, and that she's not a slave to anyone anymore.

Hmm...Butterflies evoke a sense of metamorphosis for me, although what you say, Raissa, is perfectly true.
I see it as a change from someone lowly (sorry caterpillars are cute but low metaphorically! )someone who struggles with too many hardships to someone who goes through a miraculous transformation to this strong, beautiful, flying, free creature!

I think you pretty much nailed it Raissa!
I especially like the association with Yelena and a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Yelena must struggle and fight her way into a new life where she can learn to soar.

It's curious to note how in Poison Study, Yelena is compared to a butterfly, but in Fire Study her spirit guide turns out to be a bat. I wonder what this means about her character development?

Maybe she is still a Butterfly but needs guidance from bats to find her way?

Raissa wrote: "Valek says in the book that the butterfly is like Yelena in a way that it looks delicate but has an inner strength. Also, Butterfly Dust could be connected to Valek and Yelena's love in the way tha..."

WOW Raissa that is amazing don't think I could say it better myself.

She is starting to get all kinds of animals in Fire Study because she also received a snake from valek, I wounder what her animal will be when she takes the master level test? As for the Bat I have no Clue on why that was her spirit guide.

I think the butterfly closely had to do with the poison and how something lovely could be so deadly in a different form.

ooo that one is also nice, I also think it shows that she is one that cant stay in one place very long, you know how you always see them flying away, that is how she does at the beginning always running away.

Yes, I think that works too, I really do think that in Poison Study Yelena fits the metaphor of a butterfly.

yes very much so but I believe that in Fire Study she is more a Valek said a snake as she will always come back to him hehe you have to love that

Reminds you of something really naughty...

hmmmm Ill never tell hahahaha

Meeme said: "She is starting to get all kinds of animals in Fire Study because she also received a snake from valek, I wounder what her animal will be when she takes the master level test?

Technically by the end of Fire Study Yelena had undergone the master level test and her spirit guide turned out to be a bat. Or so said Irys. :)

OK I have to go reread this story because I missed that one thank you

I like and agree with everyone has said so far. I think the bat as the spirit guide fits with the butterfly as well. Yelena had used bats too help people, doesn't it fit well with her speciality as a Soulfinder?

Symbolically, bats are associated with darkness and death. As a Soulfinder, Yelena must guide the souls of the dead to the sky. But as a bat is a living creature so must she guide the souls of the living. :)

Butterflies tend to symbolize innocence. During Fire Study, Yelena becomes increasingly less innocent of her true powers. This awareness seems to coordinate with the appearance of her bat. Perhaps this explains the morphing of her symbol from butterfly to bat.
Hmm!

It's interesting both of Yelena's symbols are creatures that fly! :) I wonder what that could mean?

Alli wrote: "Symbolically, bats are associated with darkness and death. As a Soulfinder, Yelena must guide the souls of the dead to the sky. But as a bat is a living creature so must she guide the souls of the ..."

So Yelena is in a sense a sort of Story weaver?

I suppose you could say that. I believe Moon Man told her at least once should would make a fine Story Weaver, if she weren't already a Soulfinder. :)

I was just studying for my mythology class and learned "psyche" in Greek means both "butterfly" and "soul". Both of which relate to Yelena! So there is a little random connection tid-bit.

Was it random? Maybe we should ask MVS....

OOhh. Maybe they'll be more on Story Weavers in the Glass series and beyond.