The perception of symbolism can affect the outcome of the entire novel whether you interpret a particular subject one way or the other. Symbols often times can be interpreted into many different thoughts, whereas themes affect the entire novel as a whole, which causes the theme to be stagnant. In the novels, Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton and Native Son by Richard Wright, a majority of the novels can be interpreted only by the use of symbolism. In both of these novels they portray the constraint of moral and social desires that society places on an individual as a whole. The use of symbolism throughout these two novels are very similar with a few particular symbols, as well as exceedingly contrasting within the others. Both novels use a symbol to describe the aberration of human nature and the effect it has on our society. Another similarity is the use of snow, which symbolizes darkness and obscurity. However, Ethan Frome uses the color red to show good health and endurance, whereas Native Son uses red to illustrate the possible dangers to society.
During Native Son, the belief of aberration and its effect on human nature and society plays a major role throughout the entire novel. There are a few symbols that associate themselves with this belief, however the most crucial and influential symbol is Mrs. Dalton's blindness. Bigger would never have killed Mary Dalton if it wasn't for Mrs. Dalton being completely blind, which then in turn would change the entire plot of the novel. Her blindness is often times considered to be a metaphor for the atrocious circle of racism. With Mrs. Dalton not being able to see Bigger which causes him to kill, similarly relates to whites seeing blacks not as humans, but as animals and their everyday fear of life. This "blindness" also affects the other characters causing them to be blind from reality. Bigger states "I'd just as soon go to jail as take that relief job", which shows that what is considered "normal" for the black community is closely related to Mrs.
