The Rise and Fall of Little Voice Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Fire

Mari and LV's apartment is burned down because an iron falls over as Ray slams the door leaving. The burnt apartment is a symbol of the relationship between mother and daughter having been destroyed.

Contract

Ray gives Mari an updated contract from him and Mr. Boo for LV to sign. He tells Mari to look it over, but she doesn't; she just throws it in her purse. It is a symbol that she cares nothing for LV, and doesn't seek to protect her but instead only cares that Ray is pleased with her so doesn't ask anything about what is in the contract.

Telephone

A telephone is being installed in Mari's home as the play begins in order that she can get calls from Ray, her new boyfriend. The phone is a symbol of Mari's willingness to do anything to please Ray, while at the same time she doesn't communicate with LV at all.

Cherry Picker

Billy comes up to LV's window nearly every night in a cherry picker on the back of a telephone company truck. It is a symbol that he is not a conventional young man, but someone who has ingenuity.

Elevation

LV seemingly elevates off of the ground at the end of the play as she sings with Billy's light show going all around her. Her elevation is a symbol that she has claimed the song within her that belongs to her, and by singing from this place she has become whole, full; her music causes her to levitate off of the ground.

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