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Significance of symbolism in literature
Importance of Symbolism in literature
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Abstract
This paper addresses the issue of portraying the main character, Ad Magic, using literary elements such as symbolism, contrast and imagery by Thom Jones, in his short story "A White Horse".
Keywords
Symbolism, contrast, imagery, literary elements
Introduction
In His short story "A White Horse", author Thom Jones introduces his main characters, Ad Magic's, hunger for mad adventure. This peripatetic-"American Dream" looking character who appears in a few of Thom Jone's short stories seems like the perfect traveling companion. After "abandoning his seizure meds" in Los Angeles, he suddenly finds himself lost in Bombay,-trying to remember who, where and how?- on a bus loaded with tourists,where he almost died during the car accident,but ironical not from the impact of a matter, but of suffocation. This spontaneous, out-of-control odyssey leads Ad to a filthy beach where he comes to the aid of a diseased and dying horse. A good man with a kind heart--not to mention the best name ever created for someone who works in advertising.
What makes reader to see an feel that ? The literary elements used by author to describe and coll or this main character through his journey to find the answer to all of the question arisen in a upcoming situations.
Particularly tree, one of the main, elements used bu Thom Jones in his story "A white Horse" , Symbolism (designed to convey impressions by suggestion rather than by direct statement), Contrast (which is a distinction between two ideas, objects or co lours.
How do fiction storytellers reveal a character’s actions and or characteristics? Fiction storytellers use things like conflicts, diction, and imagery to add a better description to a book. Most of these examples also hook the reader to want to learn more. The mood of a story is also revealed when using this examples. In The Looking Glass Wars Beddor uses conflicts and challenges to inform the reader about Alyss’ characteristics.
Since the emergence of literature, thousands upon thousands of characters have graced our imaginations. From trouble maker Bart Simpson of the celebrated cartoon television series The Simpsons to Mr. Darcy of Jane Austen’s renowned novel Pride and Prejudice, the world has witnessed a plethora of characters in literature. Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner, and Billy Collins, distinguished American poet, as well as countless other authors, share the utilization of characters in their literary works. The manner in which these authors use the literary element of characters varies immensely.
Emotion and attitude that the author reveals through syntax, narrative pace, and characters. Tone influences a reader’s understanding of a novel.
Literary devices are tools used by the author to help the reader understand a given literary work. Writers use different literary devices depending on their style and what they wish their reader to get out of their work. One important literary device that is essential for a successful literary work is theme. Theme is the general insight into life that the author shares with the reader. There are a number of different methods from which an author can choose to present his/her theme. One common strategy is to communicate the theme through the use of mood; the overall feeling or emotion conjured within the reader. In Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Cask of Amontillado," and in Saki's short story, "The Interlopers," the mood evoked within the reader is used to communicate the short story's overall theme.
In literature, insights into characters, places, and events are often communicated to the reader by symbolic references within the text. This is the case in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In this Medieval romance, the colors and textures of fabrics and jewelry are used heavily by the poet not only as a descriptive tool, but also to give the reader information about the characters’ personalities and roles within the story.
Faris, Wendy B. Ordinary Enchantments: Magical Realism and the Remystification of Narrative. Nashville: Vanderbilt UP, 2004. 24 Sept. 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. 21
I think that the good novelist tries to provide his reader with vivid depictions of certain crucial and abiding patterns of human existence. This he attempts to do by reducing the chaos of human experience to artistic form. And when successful he provides the reader with a fresh vision of reality. For then through the symbolic action of his characters and plot he enables the reader to share forms of experience not immediately his own. And thus the reader is able to recognize the meaning and value of the presented experience as a whole. (Kostelanetz 10)
Richard Wagamese, the author of Indian Horse, uses imagery to convey the emotional state of being of Saul. Wagamese uses detailed descriptive language to entail the peace and reminiscence Saul feels at God’s Lake to the reader. Wagamese writes Saul’s experience re-visiting God’s Lake on page two hundred four as “The smell in the air was rich and earthy, with a wisp of swamp and bog. Dying things and living things together. The air was filled with birdsong. I broke through the trees fifty yards from the foot of the cliff. As I knelt on the stone beach, gazing up at the cliff, the clouds as its upper edge moved as though it was a living being, breathing.” Saul goes back to God’s Lake to understand his roots and happy memories once again. He finds peace within himself and nature. Wagamese conveys Saul’s feelings of nostalgia and peace of being close to his peoples’ land by describing each breathtaking experience he had while taking in his surroundings. The reader feels as though they have been taken into the scene and are taking in the same awe of nature Saul is experiencing. Wagamese also uses imagery to describe the regretful feelings Saul has while departing from the Kellys’ home. On page one hundred seventy-nine Wagamese describes Saul’s regretful departure as “ I stood in the kitchen and looked out to where the boards of the backyard rink sat in the pale
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the Lais of Marie de France, the authors use animals as metaphors for human actions, and as characters. By analyzing the use of these animals, we are able to explore the meaning the authors were trying to communicate through specific scenes. The Book of Beasts, a translation by T.H. White (1984 ed.), provides a medieval standpoint when analyzing the use of animals in the Lais and in Gawain.
For a writer, stylistic devices are key to impacting a reader through one’s writing and conveying a theme. For example, Edgar Allan Poe demonstrates use of these stylistic techniques in his short stories “The Masque of the Red Death” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.” The former story is about a party held by a wealthy prince hiding from a fatal disease, known as the Red Death. However, a personified Red Death kills all of the partygoers. “The Fall of the House of Usher” is about a man who visits his mentally ill childhood companion, Roderick Usher. At the climax of the story, Roderick’s twin sister, Madeline, murders him after he buries her alive. Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories employ the stylistic decisions of symbolism, dream-like imagery, and tone to affect the reader by furthering understanding of the theme and setting and evoking emotion in readers.
Effectively using these elements in a piece of literature enhances the reader’s curiosity. One prime example of such usage of these elements is seen in Kate Chopin's writing. Her use of foreshadowing and use of emotional conflicts put into few words in the short piece "The Storm" adds an element that is alluring, holding the reader's interest. In this short piece of literature, a father and son, Bobinot and Bibi, are forced to remain in a store where they were shopping before the storm, waiting for the storm to pass over them. In the meantime, the wife and mother, Calixta, whom is still at home, receives an unexpected visit from a former lover named Alicee. The two have an affair and the story starts to come together. The story shows us how we tend to want what we beli...
the reader to resist seeing what they want to see in him. By the name
Short stories are a form of literature works that authors use to communicate various themes and issues to the reader. As such, it is common for different short stories authored by different people to have a central meaning or theme that differs from each other. In addition, the way the author portrays his/her central theme or meaning would differ from the way other authors would craft their short stories to best portray their central meaning. While some would use characterization as a means of portraying the theme of their story, other authors employ the use of symbols to better communicate their theme. However, some slight similarities can always be drawn between short stories. ‘Hills like White
Most often, people assume literary devices in fiction stories were created to provide structure. To explore theme, one
Reading comes alive as the reader falls into the author’s voice and connects to the protagonist. When individuals read they involuntarily relate themselves to the protagonist. Therefore, a slightly different meanings of the story is created based on the individual’s personal experiences and beliefs. For instance, a novel could be considered a humorous parody of chivalric romance, but another individual could view the work as containing a serious philosophical message. This is a common scenario for Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote in which individuals can conclude many different meaning, and character analysis. Miguel de Cervantes constructed a complex character, who over time has been regarded as a madman, dreamer, or a man in the midst of