Names In Edward Tulane

I really got to thinking about names. It easy to forget how important names are in a book or story. Details and dialogue are not the only ways to convey vital information about a character. Names can express subtle messages about a character’s disposition. In The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate Dicamillo, the various names Edward receives throughout the book reflect the nature of situations he encounters and his different states of mind.
In the beginning of the story, Edward lives in England with his owner, Abilene, and her family. He is described as arrogant and vain: “In all, Edward Tulane felt himself to be an exceptional specimen” (6). Abilene deeply cares for Edward; however, Edward finds humans to be petty, and he even disregards the conversations her family has: “But, in truth, he was not very interested in what people had to say” (9). Edward is emotionally distant and does not express feelings of love for Abilene. It is ironic that Dicamillo chooses the name “Edward” for the rabbit. In England, during the 1930’s, Edward VIII became king. He deeply cared for Wallis Warfield Simpson, an American woman, who was in the process of divorcing her husband and had two previous marriages. The church and Parliament frowned upon his intention to wed Simpson and denied his request for marriage. As a result, on December 10, 1936, he became the first king in England’s history to willingly renounce his title. George VI, Edward’s younger brother, received the title of king, but he kindly gave Edward the title of Duke of Windsor. With his new freedom, Edward married Simpson in France on June 3, 1937. Even though The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was written seventy years later, Dicamillo possibility juxtaposes Edward VIII, a king who cared so deeply for love that he was willing to give up his kingship for it, with Edward Tulane, a rabbit who does not care for love at all.
After Edward is thrown overboard, he is found by a fisherman, who gives Edward to his wife, Nellie, as a present. Nellie renames Edward, Susanna. Edward’s name not only changes. His gender is changed as well. Dicamillo conveys that this is the first instance that Edward changes; however, the change cannot be subtle. Edward must change in every way possible to gain the ability to love. Edward learns to appreciate listening to human conversations and being loved by Nellie: “But now, the stories Nellie told struck him as the most important thing in the world and he listened as if his life depended on what she said” (69). Edward realizes that Nellie confides in him, and he abandons his vanity and becomes grateful that he has people who care about him: “But then Edward remembered lying on the ocean floor, the muck in his face, the stars so far away, and he said to himself, What difference does it really make? Wearing a dress won’t hurt me” (68). Edward learns that superficial details and items are not essential for one’s true happiness and that love makes one truly whole.
Next, Edward is given the name “Malone” by a homeless man, Bull, who finds him in the dump. The name “Malone” is interesting because the prefix “mal” suggests something negative. The rest of the name is the word “one.” This suggests that solitariness is bad, or that it is harmful to exist by oneself without loved ones. The homeless community takes much comfort in each other, and Edward soon becomes a member of the group. The members, like Nellie, tell Edward their grievances and treat him as if he were a human being: “After this, wherever Bull and Lucy and Edward went, some tramp would take Edward aside and whisper the names of his children in Edward’s ear” (103). Edward further learns the comfort one can find in a family.
After Edward is separated from Bull and Lucy, he is found by a woman, who names him “Clyde” and uses him as a scarecrow. Edward feels despair and loneliness. The name “Clyde” is not well thought out and suggests that the woman uses Edward as a tool and does treat him with love, like Abilene, Nellie, and Bull had. Unlike his previous owners, his new name holds no significance. Edward realizes how important it is that he has been loved: “I have been loved, Edward told the stars” (113). Edward learns the pains of loneliness and being given a thoughtless name.
Edward’s next name is “Jangles.” He is found by a young boy, Bryce, who gives Edward to his sickly sister, Sarah Ruth, as a present. She cares deeply for Edward. Edward beings to truly love her: “He wanted to take care of her. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to do more for her” (135). The name “Jangles” may allude to Edward’s discovery that Bryce can make him dance using strings. This thrills Sarah Ruth. Also, Edward gets his wish granted in that he can do one more thing to reward Sarah Ruth for her love for him. Edward is able to recognize and feel love: “I have been loved by a girl named Abilene. I have been loved by a fisherman and his wife and a hobo and his dog. I have been loved by a boy who played the harmonica and by a girl who died” (183). Edward’s journey is complete in that he learns how important it is to love and be loved.
I am very curious to know what others think about the names in the book.