The Shawl

The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick is a memorable short story that is about motherly love. In this story Rosa becomes a selfless woman during a difficult time. A time in which their worlds have been turned upside down and have become oppressed by a crazy mad man. During this time, Families are ripped apart and innocent people are killed on a daily basis. Rosa is a mother that has to protect those around her, her daughter Magda and sister Stella. Magda is a symbol of hope. She is young and innocent to the mad world around her. All she seeks is the comfort of being close to her mother and wrapped in the comfort of a shawl. Stella is a young woman that is constantly suffering and still needs to be cared for. The Shawl is a symbol of protection and life. It protects the young Magda from the world and keeps her close to her mother. It also keeps her protected from the harsh elements. However the shawl is something that is coveted by Stella because she is always cold. In the end Magda becomes a symbol of hope "Sometimes she laughed -- it seemed a laugh, but how could it be? Magda had never seen anyone laugh" (ozick, 2300). This shows that a young child has no way to comprehend the harsh reality, but gives hope to Rosa.