Signs and Symbols
'The Blind Girl' 1854-7 by J E Millias.
 Click here for the interactive version! This painting is about the Victorian social problem of homelessness and poverty amongst children and the disabled. The older girl has a note pinned to her dress labelled ‘Pity the blind’. Millais painted this picture with great attention to detail; he wanted to highlight the beauty and colours of nature that the blind girl cannot see. |
Answers
- Why is there a rainbow in the painting?
c) As a symbol of light
The light of the rainbow makes us feel more sorry for the blind girl as she cannot see it. The Rainbow is a symbol of light and hope, promising a new type of vision for the blind girl.
- What do the birds symbolise here?
b) Warning and death
Because the birds are crows and ravens - black in colour and meat eaters, they provide a symbol for warning and death.
- What does the butterfly represent?
c) Rebirth
This meaning comes from the three stages of a butterfly. The caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly equal life death and resurrection.
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