Symbol Analysis
Despite the fact that "Oranges" is set on a gray December day, there is plenty of light in this poem. While the light sources vary in the context of the tale (porch light, faces, oranges, fire), the true source turns out to be something a little less tangible. Any guesses? We'd just love, love, love to give you a hint, but… we think you can figure it out.
- Lines 9-11: The speaker doesn't use color or style to describe the girl's house. Nope, he goes with the porch light. While this seems like a strange choice, it makes sense when we consider the significance of light in the poem. Everything associated with the girl is luminous—even her house. As the object of affection, the girl shines in the speaker's mind "night and day," brightening even the gloomiest weather. She sounds like quite a gal.
- Lines 13-15: The first time we see the girl, the speaker describes her "bright" face. Once again, on this cold gray day the girl's luminescence brightens the scene. It might be cold outside, but the love that the speaker feels for the girl is keeping things nice and toasty from his perspective.
- Line 28: Her house is bright. Her face is bright. Anything else? Oh, there's "light in her eyes" too. We're not saying that the girl is actually glowing. Remember—this is the girl from the speaker's perspective. How he feels about this girl makes everything about her, from his perspective, luminous. It's the love that the speaker feels for the girl that makes her shine. Or, you know, maybe she just has some of those special contact lenses and a super-good facial cleanser.
- Lines 51-53: As a wise Shmooper once said, "love conquers all." If you don't believe it, all you have to do is check out the way the orange's luminosity conquers "the gray of December." The orange represents love (for more on that check out the previous section, "Symbols: Oranges"). It's shining, warm, and fire-bright—against the gloomy backdrop of fog and frost.