Symbols

The cherry tree is the most important symbol in the story, also present in the title. In this story, it is a symbol of fertility. This means that the location of the tree also becomes relevant. Its roots are in Roxanne’s garden, symbolizing her fertility (she has an eight-year-old child and another on the way). The fruit hangs over Thea’s garden, which suggests that Thea can only witness other people’s fertility, knowing that it will never be her own. Therefore, we can assume that Thea tries to deny Roxanne her right to the cherries, not only out of shame for how she lives, but also out of spite. 

By denying Roxanne the fruits of the cherry tree, she takes some revenge over the injustice of her own infertility. The cherry tree can also be seen as a symbol of something that only lasts for a brief period of time. The f...