A Taste of Blackberries

The book’s title signifies an important symbol in A Taste of Blackberries. Blackberries symbolize natural cycles in addition to seasons: They represent the cycle of life and death and the cycle of grief. The book begins and ends in the blackberry patch. At the beginning, the narrator and Jamie plan to pick blackberries. When they get to the patch, they realize that the berries “need a few more days to ripen” (1). Just like these berries, the narrator must take time to grieve before he can start healing. No one, including him, can reach a point of acceptance before it’s time; the cycle must be completed.

Another cycle that blackberries symbolize is the cycle of life. By the end of the book, the berries are ready to be picked. When the narrator moves to pick some of them, he sticks his finger on the leaves and acknowledges, “Getting stuck was a part of berry picking” (78). Similarly, pain is a natural part of life.

The narrator’s favorite color is blue, and this color appears in the book at moments of crisis. The first time it’s mentioned is immediately after the narrator learns of Jamie’s death.