The Importance of Peonies

In our past readings in World Literature, we have encountered symbolism in the form of various flowers, most notably, “A Sea of Blood-red Azaleas” which centers on the multi-dimensional meaning of the small, red flowers in Taiwan and China.  Once again, we see the significance of the flower in “Alias Grace.”
The novel begins with the line, “Out of the gavel there are peonies growing.”  Immediately, we are confronted with the image of the peony, a flower native to parts of North America and Europe which often blooms in shades of red, white, purple, and pink.  The flowers are coming up through the gravel, the rough stone which make up the path.  I think it is interesting that Atwood choose this imagery of a delicate flower coming up unlikely circumstances.  We know that most types of flowers need the right conditions, particularly soft soil, to flourish, so perhaps Atwood chose to have peonies growing form the gravel to symbolize life prospering in harsh conditions. 
I was curious as to Atwood’s decision to make the flowers peonies, I Googled the symbolism of peonies in various cultures.  According to TeleFlora.com, the significance of peonies dates back to Greek mythology.  One story tells of Paeon, a physician to the gods who brought the flower to Mount Olympus.  Many other tales exist in Easter cultures that claim the peony to be a “flower of honor.”  Also, in the Language of Flowers, peonies hold the meaning of bashfulness, due to the myth that woodland nymphs would hide in the pillow-like pedals.  Since they are often grown for ornamental purposes, peonies are also considered to be a symbol of high class.

It is interesting what Grace goes on to say later in the chapter about the peonies as she walks past them and, “reach[es] out [her] hand to touch one.  It has a dry feeling, and [she] realize[s] it’s made of cloth.”  I believe the flower being made of cloth symbolizes the constructed reality in Grace’s story.  Although the flowers are so beautiful and seem so real, they are really fake.  Throughout the story, the reader is left questioning what truth will come from Grace’s stories and how much she keeps from Dr. Jordan, as well as what she will even keep from admitting to herself.  Although flowers appear in many aspects of the stories, this particular passage really struck me as a way for Atwood to set the stage of false perceptions.