Dark Roots

by

Cate Kennedy

Contraceptive Pills

In “Dark Roots,” the contraceptive pills that the protagonist takes symbolize the societal pressure on women to alter their bodies and suppress their own needs in order to be attractive and desirable partners. Though she…

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Film

In “Dark Roots,” film functions as a symbol for fantasy in a relationship. The protagonist and Paul, who, significantly, first met at a film screening, are united by their connections to film; though it…

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Roots

The titular roots in “Dark Roots” represent the protagonist’s failure to hide her true age from her lover, Paul, and from herself. In the story, the protagonist’s decision to dye her is a…

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