Snow Symbol in Life After Life

Snow represents both rebirth and the unpredictability of life. It is found most prevalently in the scene of Ursula’s birth, during which there is a giant snowstorm. Dr. Fellowes and Mrs. Haddock are both prevented from reaching Fox Corner because of the snow, and Ursula dies because of the cord around her neck. In other timelines, Dr. Fellowes is able to make it and Ursula survives. Thus, the snowstorm evokes the randomness of life and the fine line between two different possible outcomes. Later in the novel, snow appears usually just before Ursula is about to be reborn again, affirming the snow’s association with fresh life. The fact that the snow is white also puts it in contrast with the darkness, which aptly comes to signify death in the story.

Snow Symbol Timeline in Life After Life

The timeline below shows where the symbol Snow appears in Life After Life. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Life, Reincarnation, and Alternate Possibilities Theme Icon

...the birth. Bridget, Sylvie’s maid, tells her that Dr. Fellowes is likely stuck in the snow; Sylvie and Bridget are alone in the ordeal. Their other maid, Alice, is visiting her... (full context)

...closed. He had called for Mrs. Haddock, the midwife, but she got stuck in the snow. Sylvie invites Dr. Fellowes to stay the night, somewhat reluctantly. He delivered all three of... (full context)

Sylvie wakes and Mrs. Glover brings her a breakfast tray with a single, half-frozen snowdrop. Sylvie is delighted by the flower, commenting on how brave it is because it is... (full context)

...thinks to herself that childbirth is a brutal affair. Sylvie goes to the window; the snow has “obliterated everything familiar.” She sees George Glover riding one of his horses through the... (full context)

...breakfast tray. Bridget is confused by this request, looking out at the fresh coat of snow. (full context)

...Be Dead and Buried in My Grave.” She eats the egg she boiled and reads. Snow falls outside the window, gray and ashy. Ursula thinks of Auschwitz. Ursula writes a thank-you... (full context)

...third glass of rum. She had been on her way to deliver Ursula when the snow had forced her to take refuge in a pub. The barkeep tells her that they... (full context)

...help as Sylvie says there’s no point in calling Dr. Fellowes—he’ll never get through the snow. Bridget informs Sylvie that the baby is blue, strangled by her own umbilical cord. Sylvie... (full context)

...but her words are slurred. The man holds her hand, and she is extremely grateful. Snow falls, and she starts to fall asleep. The man tries to hold her hand tighter... (full context)

...is very cold. The man holds her hand, imploring her to stay awake. But the snow begins to fall until she feels entirely shrouded and everything is darkness. (full context)

...falls asleep. She is transported—to a meadow, to a garden, to a field covered in snow. Snow begins to fall around her, until light pierces through a curtain and she is... (full context)

...Sylvie was giving birth, having managed to get back to Fox Corner just before the snow closed the roads. He had literally dragged Izzie back to England from France, where she... (full context)

...third glass of rum. She had been on her way to deliver Ursula when the snow had forced her to take refuge in a pub. The barkeep tells her that they... (full context)

Life After Life

Kate Atkinson

Snow Symbol Analysis

Snow Symbol Timeline in Life After Life