A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier Book Analysis

In A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier, the character Louisa Pesel caught my attention. I enjoyed learning about her history of becoming an expert embroiderer, and in terms of this novel, a great friend to Violet. Also, near the end of the novel, it is revealed that Louisa Pesel spoke through her designs with the fylfots to rebel against the growing tension of the Nazi army. When Violet and Arthur found the design, Pesel described the design as something from history that does not belong to Hitler. She said that there is a reclaiming of the symbol for its original intent for rather then the Nazis’ definition of it. The breakdown of fylfot means “many feet” which supports the many breaks in the image and their 90-degree lines.

According to Wikipedia, the fylfot, also referred to as the gammadion, was used in early medieval churches at the foot of stained- glass windows “to fill empty space” (Wikipedia contributors). We find this similarity in the novel when Miss Pesel uses the fylfots to fill in the empty space around the border of the cushions. On the website Odinsvolk, the fylfot is a symbol of Thor and his “dynamic cosmic power… strength of the will…[and] his might and protection” (odin). As seen in figure 1, this was the staff that Thor would be placed in after his death to provide him “protection in the afterlife” (odin). Figures 2 and 3 were other examples of how the fylfot was used in history before it was tainted by the Nazi party. It was an elegant symbol that brought feelings of strength and protection over those who looked upon it. In relation to Christianity, the meaning of fylfot is used to symbolize the crucifixion from the shape of the cross (Bible Encyclopedia). In Figure 4, a representation of one of Miss Pesel’s works is shown. This is one of her pieces that exhibited the fylfot image all throughout the fabric in a way that showed her rebellious nature through her craft. This symbol, again, refers to another powerful event with protection of a higher being that will shield their people from harm. 

As we know in history, Hitler has taken this symbol and turned it into a dark, somewhat threatening symbol. According to worldhistory.us, Hitler “adopted the swastika as the symbol for.. for peace” which sounds ironic now (world history). It, then, turned into a symbol of “racism and hatred” in the holocaust with all its horrid and unfair events. 

If I had been one of Miss Pesel’s students, I would have proudly taken part in her secret rebellion against the tyrant leader. Her bravery to bring back the original meaning of the fylfot while the Nazis were taking over showed how much power she possessed. She was able to use her craft to speak her mind which is a very important part of any craft. An artist could have a beautiful painting, but is they don’t have anything to say, the artist will wither in time. With that said, Pesel used her art carefully and strategically, and I greatly admire her for her work and her expertise.