Mercè Rodoreda's Broken Mirror: Analysis of Symbolism

Mercè Rodoreda's Broken Mirror: Narrative and Themes

Mirall Trencat (Broken Mirror) belongs to the narrative genre. It is a novel that reflects the lives of several characters belonging to the wealthy Valldaura family. This novel, characteristic of 20th-century literature, aims primarily to entertain the reader, offering simple enjoyment without attempting to indoctrinate or impose a specific message.

Narrative Structure and Lexicon

The lexicon used by the author, Mercè Rodoreda, is simple yet clear and precise. The primary narrator of this novel is omniscient, although this perspective is sometimes inconsistent across certain chapters. Rodoreda masterfully alternates between the omniscient voice and internal monologues in various episodes, showcasing a sophisticated exchange of narrative types within this masterpiece.

Broken Mirror is not merely a projection of a single character's inner world; Rodoreda employs diverse expressive and technical resources to capture the complex world depicted in the novel.

Key Symbolism in Mirall Trencat

Symbolism is crucial in this work. The primary symbols include:

• The House/Bay: This setting is perhaps the most important symbol. It represents the Valldaura family itself, which slowly and gradually degrades over time. The house is present during all the Valldaura deaths and witnesses every event that occurs within its walls. For instance, when the war breaks out and the family flees, the imagery suggests blood running down the house/bay.
• The Mirror: Just as literature and the novel form a mirror reflecting life, the mirror in the Valldaura home captures the family's history. In the final chapters, Armanda breaks the mirror, which holds the memories, snapshots, and lived experiences of Mrs. Teresa Valldaura's family—those who have lived and died there. The mirror reflects the interior life of each character and the entire history of this third generation of the Valldaura lineage. This generation is the central element represented by the broken mirror. With Teresa's death, everything concludes.
• The Rat: The rat serves as a provocative image. It is the only sign of life remaining at the novel's end, yet it is the clearest sign of the family's destruction and disintegration.