Across time and space, humans have been drawn to the natural elements, finding meaning in what they each represent to our own lives. Throughout human history, artists have used depictions of the elements as representations of human emotions, relationships, and experiences. The goal unique to homo sapiens is the constant struggle to comprehend the world around them, through means of art and science. Jill Patterson’s short story, “The Fires We Can’t Control”, utilizes the classical elements, earth, air, water, and fire to further the readers’ understanding of a relationship disintegrating at the hands of an ignorant husband. The element of Earth is represented in Patterson’s story through the motif of trees, going so far as introducing the story, as…show more content… It becomes evident that the oak tree and the cypress from the excerpt of The Prophet are representations of the wife and husband when the husband declares, “I’m an oak. You’re a cypress,” (293). The oak represents power, durability, fertility, and healing (Tree Symbolism and Meanings, 2016). The husband considers himself to be his mistress’, Lori’s, savior, using his power of healing to repair the damaged, stupid woman back to health. He feels as though he is almighty, commanding respect and acceptance of every choice he makes, demanding all honor his wishes. He determines that the narrator is a mere cypress tree, who cannot defend themselves against the brutal threat of fire. The cypress is mournful, often seen at graveyards (Tree Symbolism and Meanings, 2016). The cypress understands its role in sacrifice, that accepting the fate of themselves and the world around them is all they can do, and that challenging otherworldly power would be futile. Furthermore, Patterson concludes the story with the narrator’s embodiment
