Black and White

[Arite Seki]

Lena is well off. She's the landlord and has been wealthy for quite a good number of years. I don't think the white in her house symbolizes hope. I'm inclined to that idea because when she visits Maureen, she tells her that she loves the vibrant colors of her artistry. You can also notice her cleaning at the laundromat is done regularly. Hence, the white represents her neatness. As for the black dress code, I'd agree it's to symbolize her sorrow and resentment.

I think this is an interesting take on the choice of white in her house in contrast to her all-black clothes. I think this does seem to be the best explanation as the colour signifies an aspect of her personality.

[Lhammamy]

I suppose that white in this situation refers to death while black is for grief. Both are connected with not only the loss of her child by death but the loss of her four children who don't want to be family anymore.

[Brenda Creech]

I think the white unadorned apartment symbolized an emptiness in Lena's life. She didn't consider her house/apartment a “home” She doesn't think of her place of residence as a nest and a refuge from the world.

But on the other hand, there is nothing prettier than large white wall with a single painting on it. When I had a bigger house, that is how I decorated it.

I think she wore black as a symbol of grief for the losses in her life.

I like your theory about Lena's all white apartment symbolizing emptiness in her life. I had never thought of it that way. But, looking at it from your perspective I agree that she didn't consider it a home!

[Higher25]

In my opinion, all what you guys are saying hold a point, but I think religion may be the reason. I didn't come across her religious background but our Muslim sisters wear black most of the time. The colour of the room could also mean anything or just painting. My opinion.

[Harty Muli]

Lena could be suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder which often causes anxiety and a thinking that black or white is only one of two possible things in life, ignoring anything that lies in between. It's likely this condition was triggered by the issue with her children.

[MeganDJ]

Her decision to wear black could be because she still mourns the loss of her son and it is a reflection to others that she has not forgotten. The white in contrast could just be that she would like to lead an uncluttered and uncomplicated life moving forward and some say that white is a pure and clean colour that could promote a healing environment.

[SweetSourSalty AndSpicy]

An interesting observation with the colors. I agree with you about the black color. It could mean that she is mourning for whatever she had lost. The white apartment is like a blank canvas. She wanted a fresh start.

Or the black and white can also be seen as something indivisible and viewed as a whole, similar to yin and yang. They seem like opposing forces that may actually be complementary. The black and white are like a reminder of Lena's life experiences, that all the good and the bad are interconnected and interrelated.

[Mys_Trea]

Lena wears black all of the time, yet everything in her apartment is white. I think she wears the black because of the son she lost, and because of estrangement of her other sons; and I think the white signifies a hope that one day her other sons will want to be a family again. That is what my thoughts are on this. What are your thoughts? Why does she wear black and why is everything in her apartment white? I would love to hear some more ideas on that!

I believe that Lena wearing black signifies mourning and sorrow at having lost her sons. It is often done in many cultures throughout the world. The apartment being all white is perhaps a sign of her being detached and adopting a cold outlook towards life. It is interesting to see how she compliments Maureen on the vibrancy of the colours in her home, possibly signifying that she yearns for a positive change and a warmer life. I think she is a strong woman for having been through so much, and still be open to new things. The author did a good job for layering the story with the colour factor as it gives us room to imagine all the reasons why they have done so.

[Loads Rails]

I think Lena wears black to express her feelings about her son's death and to show that she is mourning. She uses white in her house to show anyone who enters it that she still has some hope.

[Alice Ngugi]

Well, I think she wears black to keep people off by portraying a reserved individual. Only the few people that make it to her house maybe the one's that can see her other side. My thoughts.

[Brenda Creech]

Lena could be suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder which often causes anxiety and a thinking that black or white is only one of two possible things in life, ignoring anything that lies in between. It's likely this condition was triggered by the issue with her children.

That's an interesting theory, I hadn't thought of that. She did begin to add color to her clothes as her relationship with Maureen and Kalayla progressed.

[Chipochashe]

I agree that Lena wears black because she is in mourning. She is taken by the vibrant colours in Maureen's apartment, so I think the white in her own apartment could be that she wishes for a clean slate. She has a lot of regrets from her past as seen from the way she only displays a few pictures in the apartment.

[Kiki-Ogo-Oluwa360]

People wear black for different reasons. Due to the lost of loved ones in some culture, color preference or for what the color means. I think it could be due to her state of mind. Lena expression when she saw the painting in Maureen's house shows she appreciates colors and her house in white may be her own personality look.

[Mr_Dark]

It may be that she likes black. But what I think is that it describes her pain and I believe that the white color may describe her emotions.

[Huini Hellen]

Your observations are very interesting. I would second you that the dorminant use of the two colours symbolize an aspect in Lena's life. For example, her black attire could symbolize her inability to control what bas happened to her, yet her white surrounding symbolizes the peace that she has found in acceptance.