The Meaning of the Name "Burden"
Posted August 13, 2008 at Teachnology
"His characters' names belie their final roles. Loomis is sinister, a male representation of human demise, one who instigates disaster. Ann Burden is a girl sorely put upon."
There are much better interpretations of the meanings of these names.
The name "Burden" does not just refer to Ann but to the whole valley, Burden Creek, and Burden Hill. Rather than thinking that the name just suggests Ann has to bear difficulties, it makes more sense (and is backed up explicitly by the text) to view the name as referring to the burden of responsibility borne by both Ann and the valley for ensuring the continuation of life on Earth, including the human species. As Ann puts it, "I was the one, or one of the two, who might keep it [the planet] from dying, for a while at least" (96). She sees herself as having this role.
The idea of the valley fulfilling this role also is stated at various times, such as here by Loomis: "we've got to plan as if this valley is the whole world, and we are starting a colony" (152).
As for Loomis's name being sinister and representing demise, that's a bit of a stretch. Has it occurred to you that a looming threat is often an illusion, something imaginary, or a threat that does NOT actually materialize? Check a dictionary!
LOOM: vi 1: come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions 2a: to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form b: to take shape as an impending occurrence.
LOOM: n: the indistinct and exaggerated appearance of something seen on the horizon or through fog or darkness; also: a looming shadow or reflection.
These meanings are certainly relevant to the story. Consider that Ann THINKS LOOMIS IS A THREAT BEFORE SHE HAS ANY EVIDENCE OF IT, and even despite evidence to the contrary (such as his obviously eager call when he first enters the valley, yearning for human companionship).
From Ann’s viewpoint, Loomis is often a LOOMING threat. It is mainly her groundless fear of him that makes the looming threat seem to manifest itself in his clumsy attempt to make love with her; and her extreme reaction to this then results in his desperate efforts to make her return home.
During his sickness she feels such strong affection for him that she thinks of marrying him, creates a romantic atmosphere for dinners, prays desperately for him to live, and wants to hug him when he starts recovering. What changes her feelings is NOT anything he does but simply the return of the paranoid fear she has always had of being "enslaved" by a physically stronger man. Added to this characteristic fear is her growing distrust of him because she knows he killed Edward--even though she also KNOWS he probably acted in self-defence. It is these groundless fears which make her nervous with Edward as he gets stronger and tries to go further with the intimacy they shared while he was sick--the feeling of attachment that was also responsible for bringing him back from the brink of death.
If she had not been unreasonably afraid of him, this story could have had a happy ending. She would have continued feeling happy in his company, waved to him from the tractor (instead of feeling oppressed), and read stories and played the piano gladly (without wondering if he was listening, or fearing he was "creeping up"). And she might have accepted him in her bed, or (at worst) scolded him for being impatient and told him they would have to get married in church first; and he would probably
accept such a demand despite its absurdity.
Admittedly, it is rather disturbing to think of the "incestuous commune" that would have to result if
they made a colony together. But there is no choice in the matter; it is better than letting millions of years of evolution go to waste; and, for those who believe the Bible story, it's no different from the way human history started the first time.
Anyway, Loomis is always mainly a threat that LOOMS in Ann's imagination more than a real threat to her. Even when he is at his worst, driven to desperate extremes, he is NEVER the insane murderer she imagines, and he doesn't want to make a slave of her. He is just insanely desperate to get her back.
There are much better interpretations of the meanings of these names.
The name "Burden" does not just refer to Ann but to the whole valley, Burden Creek, and Burden Hill. Rather than thinking that the name just suggests Ann has to bear difficulties, it makes more sense (and is backed up explicitly by the text) to view the name as referring to the burden of responsibility borne by both Ann and the valley for ensuring the continuation of life on Earth, including the human species. As Ann puts it, "I was the one, or one of the two, who might keep it [the planet] from dying, for a while at least" (96). She sees herself as having this role.
The idea of the valley fulfilling this role also is stated at various times, such as here by Loomis: "we've got to plan as if this valley is the whole world, and we are starting a colony" (152).
As for Loomis's name being sinister and representing demise, that's a bit of a stretch. Has it occurred to you that a looming threat is often an illusion, something imaginary, or a threat that does NOT actually materialize? Check a dictionary!
LOOM: vi 1: come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions 2a: to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form b: to take shape as an impending occurrence.
LOOM: n: the indistinct and exaggerated appearance of something seen on the horizon or through fog or darkness; also: a looming shadow or reflection.
These meanings are certainly relevant to the story. Consider that Ann THINKS LOOMIS IS A THREAT BEFORE SHE HAS ANY EVIDENCE OF IT, and even despite evidence to the contrary (such as his obviously eager call when he first enters the valley, yearning for human companionship).
From Ann’s viewpoint, Loomis is often a LOOMING threat. It is mainly her groundless fear of him that makes the looming threat seem to manifest itself in his clumsy attempt to make love with her; and her extreme reaction to this then results in his desperate efforts to make her return home.
During his sickness she feels such strong affection for him that she thinks of marrying him, creates a romantic atmosphere for dinners, prays desperately for him to live, and wants to hug him when he starts recovering. What changes her feelings is NOT anything he does but simply the return of the paranoid fear she has always had of being "enslaved" by a physically stronger man. Added to this characteristic fear is her growing distrust of him because she knows he killed Edward--even though she also KNOWS he probably acted in self-defence. It is these groundless fears which make her nervous with Edward as he gets stronger and tries to go further with the intimacy they shared while he was sick--the feeling of attachment that was also responsible for bringing him back from the brink of death.
If she had not been unreasonably afraid of him, this story could have had a happy ending. She would have continued feeling happy in his company, waved to him from the tractor (instead of feeling oppressed), and read stories and played the piano gladly (without wondering if he was listening, or fearing he was "creeping up"). And she might have accepted him in her bed, or (at worst) scolded him for being impatient and told him they would have to get married in church first; and he would probably
accept such a demand despite its absurdity.
Admittedly, it is rather disturbing to think of the "incestuous commune" that would have to result if
they made a colony together. But there is no choice in the matter; it is better than letting millions of years of evolution go to waste; and, for those who believe the Bible story, it's no different from the way human history started the first time.
Anyway, Loomis is always mainly a threat that LOOMS in Ann's imagination more than a real threat to her. Even when he is at his worst, driven to desperate extremes, he is NEVER the insane murderer she imagines, and he doesn't want to make a slave of her. He is just insanely desperate to get her back.
