Writer's Craft: The Use of Symbolism.
Writers often use different literary techniques in order to bring greater understanding and reveal some truth about a character to the reader. One of these techniques is the usage of symbolism. A symbol is something that means more than what it is; it has a different, abstract meaning apart from its literal significance. It can be an object, a person, a situation, an action, or any other thing presented in a story. In Katherine Mansfield's short story "Miss Brill", symbolism is used to bring about a greater understanding of the character, Miss Brill. In D.H. Lawrence's "The Rocking Horse Winner", symbolism is used to reveal conflicts between Paul and his mother to the reader.
In Katherine Mansfield's "Miss Brill", the use of symbolism underscores Miss Brill's innocence. One of these symbols is the fur collar she wears. The fur represents a pet to her, something cute she can love as other people love their dogs or children. However, she does not know her fur, which was once very stylish, is now the victim of jokes. Miss Brill lives for the days that she spends in the park. This can be seen when she rubs "the life back into [her fur's] dim little eyes". Not only does this quote reveal that the trips to the park rubs life back into Miss Brill, but also the condition of the furs eyes implies that Miss Brill is not as young and full of life as she once might have been. It seems that Mansfield was deeply trying to convey this bond between Miss Brill and the fur. For example, throughout the story when Miss Brill is happy, the fur is also happy, and when the fur is insulted then Miss Brill is also insulted. Perhaps the best example of this bond is when Miss Brill is sitting in her cupboard like room and puts her fur away, and thinks that she hears "something crying". Another symbol which plays an important part in Miss Brill's characterization is that of performing.
Is Alice Walker the Symbolism Behind The Color Purple? ... She used to read on and on for hours. ... Sex within the novel is a huge symbolism. ... In the novel sex is used to dehumanize Celie. ... Alice Walker is the symbolism behind the title The Color Purple. ...
The symbolism is the most important element in "A Rose for Emily." A symbol is used to imply things which otherwise are unable to be said. ... Miss Emily's house is also an important example of symbolism in this story. ... Another element of language used in this story is situational irony. ... In "A Rose for Emily," William Faulkner uses many elements of language, especially symbolism, irony and imagery. ...
A comparison of the use of symbolism by Gabriel Garcia Marquez in "Chronicle of a Death Foretold" and Anton Chekhov in "A Selection of Short Stories." Symbolism could be defined as the use of "indirect" expression; a situation where the reader comes to recognize that what the writer is presenting and describing is not after all what he is chiefly concerned with, but that there is a hidden or deeper meaning. ... Chekhov's "A Selection of Short Stories" consist of stories with a simple plot, with a greater emphasis on vivid, descriptive writing Various stylistic devices are used to gr...
Symbolism in the two stories of death In the two stories of "The Lottery" and "A Rose for Emily" symbolism is used in the same way. These two stories are about death and the way symbolism is used in both. ... In the story "A rose for Emily" the symbolism is between the Grierson's house and the physical attributes of Miss Emily. ... Perhaps the most significant comparison occurs when the Grierson house is used to symbolize Emily Grierson's unwillingness to accept change. ... It is precisely this open usage of symbolism and the expert utilization of foreshowing that earned both Wi...
Symbolism is used greatly in the short stories "Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck, and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson; therefore, symbolism has a tendency to influence the plot in both short stories. The short stories both share the use of symbols, but the symbols are used to express different thoughts in ones mind while reading them. ... For example, Jackson uses the name Mr. ... Jackson also uses the name Mr. ... Jackson uses symbolic acts to stress the evil in mankind. ...
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. They use objects, actions, and characters to give more meaning to the thing itself. In Greene's short essay "The Destructors", there are uses of symbol. ...
Symbolism plays a large role into this perception. ... Symbolism is used by authors to keep the interest of the reader but also to portray their own lives into the story through those characters. ... Her use of symbolism to inspire the reader to look deep was unique. ... Other such authors use the same technique to relate their own lives into their stories. Guy De Mauspant, author of The Necklace, used the same technique. ...
In the short story, "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner, symbolism is used frequently throughout the story. ... Miss Emily used the servant to take her to get the arsenic in which she used to kill Homer Barron. ... Faulkner used the servant to introduce death to Miss Emily and what she did to Homer Barron. "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. ...
