Previous
Glue
Paint represents the destructive forces of isolation and betrayal. When the High Island Council first sets out its edicts banning the written or spoken use of letters that fall from Nevin Nollop’s commemorative statue, Georgeanne does not hesitate to report another woman, Mittie, for two violations. Rather than finding solidarity with neighbors as the Council’s regime grows more oppressive, Georgeanne takes solace in painting—an activity that does not require talking and can be done alone. But ultimately, when few people are left in Nollopville, Georgeanne recognizes the consequences of what she has done. She finds any paint she can and starts to paint her own body in her depression, which ultimately leads her to die of lead poisoning. Thus, the physical destruction caused by the lethal paint represents the emotional destruction caused by isolation and betrayal—not on upon others, but on oneself.
Get the entire Ella Minnow Pea LitChart as a printable PDF.
Paint Symbol Timeline in Ella Minnow Pea
The timeline below shows where the symbol Paint appears in Ella Minnow Pea. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3
...Tassie’s family. She also asks if Tassie and Mittie want to join her in a painting group.
(full context)
Chapter 12
...Ella’s concern, writes to say that she is fine and that she has started to paint her own body—she is making herself into a kind of abstract painting. Ella responds saying...
(full context)
Chapter 15
...She writes that the end is near and she wonders where she can get some paint.
(full context)
