The Contrasting Symbolisms in The Wars.
Although The Wars by Timothy Findley is not a very long novel, it packs a punch. The major reason for this so-called punch is not because of the plot line, but because of the imagery in the novel that brings it to life. This gives the novel a meaning that is found on a deeper level, giving an opinion as to what the war brings. The imagery is symbolic of the death, despair and destruction that inevitably come hand in hand with war. The most symbolic of these images are the recurring themes of the story-telling photographs, mud, and fire.
Photographs have always been seen as a way of capturing events in peoples lives (and in some beliefs, capturing the soul). The photographs that Findley has supplied the researcher (and consequently, the reader) are more pictures that give insight into that time; they are windows into the past and into peoples lives. The knowledge that these photos show history brings up the idea of the past, of things long gone, or long dead. A saying that is often used at funerals and said about ones who have passed on is "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." This is similarly shown in the novel and said about the photographs. "As the past moves under your fingertips, part of it crumbles." (Pg. 11) The photographs show captured life, and because they are decaying photographs, it symbolizes the decay of life, in other words, death. It shows that everything has a time and place, and for this particular piece of history, that time and place has come to an end, much like life in the death-bringer called war.
The second symbolic theme of this novel is mud. When one thinks of mud, the usual image brought to mind is a moist or wet, sticky, gooey, earth toned substance, earth toned to feel warm. However, the picture of mud that is painted by Findley is one of grey, steel-coloured mud, making reference to metal, bringing forth the image of cold steel, and therefore creating an environment that seems unwelcoming and uninhabitable.
In literature a very common literary device is symbolism. Authors often use symbolism to communicate a deeper idea than they actually write. Symbolism is an object used by an author to open doors of meaning. ... The second form of symbolism in The Destructors is the effect of the war on younger generations. ... The third example of symbolism in The Destructors is Trevor himself. ...
When reflecting on a text such as Hamlet, it is difficult to do so without acknowledging the poetry and symbolism within, and thus the poetic and symbolic nature of the play. ... However, imagery, themes and motifs employed by the playwright must also be considered when studying poetry, symbolism and the poetic and symbolic nature of Hamlet. ... Notions of time, war and battle, infection, disease and decay are major ideas expressed throughout Hamlet. ... Symbolism of disease and decay is also employed by the playwright when addressing the issue of Hamlets sanity. ... The symbolism and imagery ...
The Symbolism in a Soldier The story oThe Red Badge of CourageA¶, by Stephen Crane, was written to reflect the harsh Civil War realities. CraneA†s style of writing to portray these realities included the technique of symbolism. ... Another soldier who had a great impact of symbolism was Jim Conklin. To begin with, Jim ConklinA†s name has symbolism -- his initials are J.C. just like Jesus Christ. ... One technique that makes his writing superb is his style with symbolism. ...
Symbolism is often used by writers to enhance the plot and relate certain aspects to real life. In Lord of the Flies, William Golding shows a great deal of symbolism. ... Golding demonstrates symbolism through descriptions and situations when the symbols are used. ... Jack compares them to war, "for hunting, like in the war dazzle paint." ... Symbolism is well described through the course of this novel in many different ways. ...
In the short story, "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner, symbolism is used frequently throughout the story. ... The story basically addresses the changes in the South after the Civil War. ... "A Rose for Emily" contains many examples of strong symbolism, which is thoroughly spread and revealed throughout the entire story. ... Symbolism is very important throughout the story, and plays one of the biggest roles in the essential meaning of the entire story. ...
Religious Symbolism in Alberto Moravia and Vittorio De Sica's Representations of Two Women. ... In 1960, Vittorio De Sica adapted Moravia's novel and directed Two Women, a film that filters reality through religious symbolism. ... She says, "We'll go to the country, and we'll wait there for the end of the war. ... The instincts of the peasants to self-interest, indifference and greed occur in the extreme times of war. ... The scene immediately following the rape furthers the holy symbolism. ...
Bradbury is also a very symbolic writer who adds symbolism into his book. Bradbury's use of symbolism throughout the novel makes the book more powerful by using symbolism against censorship. ... Soon after he discovers that war has been declared. ... Fire is another great example of symbolism. ... Symbolism added to the power and overall affect to this book. ...
The two decades between World War I and World War II were a golden age of American fiction. ... He overcame the precious flaws and applied imagism and symbolism to present moral history of his contemporary times from the view of Nick. ... Hence symbolism in fiction aims to present the hidden things and thoughts under phenomena. ... The symbolism of the hero evidently plays a vital role throughout the story.From the legendary life of Gatsby, we can actually find a great deal of Fitzgerald himself in it. ... The amp lified symbolism entrenched the significance of the great work and show care to...
During his life, he was affected greatly by two wars, The Spanish Civil War and World War II. ... Salvador Dalí effectively convinces his audience that war leads to infinite fatalities and hardship through the use of symbolism, color, and pathos. ... With the use of symbolism, the faces in the paintings show decay, death, and misery. ... The symbolism in "Face of War" strongly shows the dark aspects of war. ... In conclusion, Salvador Dalí painted "Face of War" to show the hardship and ugliness of war using symbolism, color and pathos. ...
