Vicious

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, child abuse, and bullying.

Throughout the novel, in both timelines, Emilia repeatedly paints or sketches cherry blossoms. The trees’ blossoms thus become an explicit symbol of Emilia herself, one that both Vicious and Emilia comment on. Vicious uses this connection to further the plot; when he comes to Emilia’s workplace, he knows that she is a longtime employee due to the cherry blossom mural. Likewise, when he peeks surreptitiously into her room in the high school timeline, he can identify her room over Rosie’s due to another cherry blossom mural.

When Vicious and Emilia begin spending time together in the adult timeline, she explains why the symbolism of cherry blossoms resonates with her: “Grandmama said that the cherry blossom was life. Sweet and beautiful, but so darn short. Too short not to do what you wanna do” (156). Despite this claim that life’s brevity necessitates seeking happiness, Emilia does not spend much time pursuing her own desires. Instead, she begins the novel being highly self-sacrificing, though she does not resent any of the work she does to support her sister or parents. As the novel progresses, Emilia learns the importance of protecting herself as well as helping those she loves.