The Virgin Suicides 1

"They only live twenty-four hours. They hatch, they reproduce, and then they croak. They don't even get to eat." And with that she stuck her hand into the foamy layer of bugs and cleared her initials: C.L."

The life of the insects is a metaphor for the simplicity and mundane nature of human life. To sum up a life is simple which is what makes it feel unimportant. Cecilia describes the life cycle of the insects using simple diction and short words to reflect the bugs life cycle which in turn shows how short a human life cycle can be. The significance of Cecilia writing her name in the dead insects is that she shares a kinship with them. She feels her life is meaningless and empty and feels as if she matters little to the outside world as little as a dead insect. Describing the layer of insects as foamy portrays the questions of life which contrasted with the "clearing" Cecelia does shows by accepting her small place in the universe therefore identifying the answers to all the questions she has about life and death.