Signs and Symbols
'The Long Engagement' 1854-9 by A Hughes.
 Click here for the interactive version! The Long Engagement was painted to tell the story of a cleric and a girl called Amy. They were in love but couldn’t get married (possibly for money or family reasons). They have to meet secretly in the woods. The name ‘Amy’ has been carved into the tree but they have been meeting here for so long that the ivy has grown over the top of it. |
Answers
- What does the purple and green of Amy's clothing symbolise?
a) Purple for sorrow, green for life
Purple is for passion and also sorrow. Green makes us think of life and rebirth and therefore hope.
- What does the ivy symbolise here?
a) Eternity and affection
Ivy is sometimes a symbol of death, however because it is evergreen, here it is used as a symbol of eternity. Also because it is clinging to the tree it also means affection.
- What does the dog represent?
c) Faithfulness
The dog is a traditional symbol of fidelity, protection and faithfulness.
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