a swan is used as a messenger. A swan represents a transformation, as in from “ugly duckling’ into a beautiful swan. It also symbolizes loyalty and fidelity, which is why she uses it as a letter carrier to her love. The color of the swan is another important factor. The whiteness of the swan depicts scenes of tranquility and purity. The usage of color and of birds can be spotted out in this book fairly easily and it is this that makes the birds and colors so important for understanding why Marie de France uses them....
