COVE

Character Commentary: Tuberose is my favorite scent. My sisters and I always use it. I am pretty sure that the tuberose spray that was sent to me was from Mr. Darrell, which must mean something. That was so thoughtful and kind of him to do so, I will be using this spray all the time. I think that I may be developing feelings for him. I know that everyone would disapprove-especially my sisters...Gertrude in particular and what would everyone else think? The entire town is already breathing down our necks and for being working women and in business with men, so imagine what they would have to say about this! Me, a seventeen year old girl having relations with a married man? My sisters simply must not know, they would not understand and look at me differently. Darrell does not even love her, they do not even talk to one another, I found this out one of the first times I met him. He loves me that is why we must run away to Paris and start a new life where we will not hear the judgment of others. Another thing my sisters do not know-I think I may be sick; I have been coughing a lot recently but I do not want to worry them though. It may be consumption and not many people recover from that. When I die, if I die I want to be wearing a beautiful white satin gown and holding a wreath of tuberose.

 Researcher Commentary: According to "The Language of Flowers; or Flora Symbolica" Tuberose originally came from India and was brought to Europe in 1632. During the Victorian Era tuberose was known as dangerous pleasure, because as beautiful as the flower was taking in too much scent of the flower was also dangerous.  Similar to the flower Phyllis is beautiful but dangerous and she can use her beauty to control men without even trying. One of the first times after meeting Phyllis, Darrel delivered a tuberose spray to her. Usually when one gifts flowers it is saying that you have feelings for that person or appreciate them. Tuberose are also often found in bridal bouquets so on her grave when Phyllis is holding a wreath of tuberose delivered by Sidney Darrell is only fitting. Phyllis was planning on marrying Darrell but never got the chance to so after falling ill and her sister Gertrude coming in to stop her from running away. After Phyllis chose to run away with Darrell she was going to be seen by society as a fallen woman. According to "Advice to a Fallen Women" the fallen woman is innocent but eager to escape their current life and willing to believe anything a man will tell her in a hurry to be accepted by him. Phyllis hastily chooses to go with Darrell not even a day after he tells her he is leaving for Paris, and she was ready to just leave her sisters and her entire life behind for him because she believed he cared for her. Phyllis fits the characteristics of the fallen women.

 Citations:

Advice to unmarried women: to recover and reclaim the fallen; and to prevent the

     fall of others, into the snares and consequences of seduction. Printed for

1. F. and C. Rivington, no 62, St. Paul's Church-Yard (London), 1791,

     link.gale.com/apps/doc/CW0117725982/ECCO?u=uga&sid=ECCO&xid=c362c565. 

Ingram, John Henry. The Language of Flowers; Or Flora Symbolica. Including

     Floral Poetry, Original and Selected. with Original Illustrations, Printed

     in Color by Terry. 1869. Hathi Trust, hdl.handle.net/2027/coo1.ark:/13960/

     t4vh63v8d. Accessed 18 Apr. 2021. 

Herbier. Leif, www.leifshop.com/products/vintage-dried-floral-tuberose. Accessed

     19 Apr. 2021.