Micheal Ondaatje creates meaning and representation in The English Patient, through the structure of his novel. The author portrays the sequence of events in a non-linear fashion to incorporate them as a puzzle-like story. The puzzle is significant because, the reader is constantly unraveling the novels excerpts together. Symbolism is an important aspect of these passages because, it provides a better understanding of the issues related to the novel such as, destruction, identity, escape, unity, and love.
Fire is used symbolically and has an appearance in the lives of all characters as a destructive element. Once the bomb is dropped on Japan and, "It rolls across cities like a burst map, the hurricane of heat withering bodies as it meets them, the shadow of humans suddenly in the air." (284), Kip realizes the destruction fire causes in the world and decides not to live the life of an English. Although, the war united Kip with many friends, such as Miss Morden, Lord Suffolk, Mr. Harts, he is affected by their deaths, which were also the result of fire. Kip's character takes a dramatic change when he realizes how the American have only tried to change his lifestyle when he states to the English Patient, "I grew up with traditions from my country, but later, more often, from your country...You and then the Americans converted us. With your missionary rules." (283) Fire destroying Japan results in Kip's decision to no longer be a war officer. Kip and Hana's relationship is also shattered due to the dropping of the bomb. Kip's realization that he cannot continue to live as a cause of destruction gives him a reason not to continue his relationship with Hana, who belongs with the European. However, Hana is also a victim o...
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...ir affair. Books also depict how they can be used to reach out to others. When a few steps leading to the English Patient's room were damaged Hana, ."..had gone into the library, removed twenty books and nailed them to the floor..." (13) to create new stairs. Books are also portrayed as an escape for Hana, because, ."..she fell upon books as the only door out of her cell." (7)
The lack of clarity of events reveals that the events of the novel do not take place one at a time, instead many events are taking place at the same time to show the importance of the images and symbols constructed. This is very different to the majority of novels. These symbols give an insight on the different themes the author presents. Michael Ondaatje uses symbols to represent ideas and concepts as well as draw attention into readers by creating an imaginative web of events.
Throughout the novel, the reader is presented with many different symbols. The symbols are clearly seen by Holden's constant repetition of their importance. The symbols are so important and their symbolism is directly related to the major themes of the novel.
Symbolism shows the reader that there is a deeper message within the diction. “The Lottery” addresses the theme more successfully than “The Ones Who Walked Away from the Omelas” with the greater use of religious and traditional symbolism. The symbolisms in “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” are various, but “The Lottery” uses symbolism for personal appeal and also makes a deeper connection between the symbols and the theme, making the short story more successful.
Interpretating and understanding these characters and objects as symbols, bring a whole new light to the novel. As you read this, or any other story, let it get inside your head a little and try to find out if there's a Devil, one devoted to decay, destruction and demoralization.
Symbols usually consist of objects, characters, or figures expressing a larger concept or idea. In 1984, symbols find themselves in many main ideas and themes. Some symbols are used to represent a deeper meaning in characters and plot, while others show comparison and contrast between ideas. Several of these symbols are clearly shown throughout the book, catching the attention of the reader to further the understanding of the battling themes. Sometimes, words do not come close to describing what is going on.
Some of the main symbols of the novel are The Hanging Wall, the colours of the clothing of the different women and the Eyes. All these symbols add different features to the story which are important. Some add fear, suspense, and overall they all add an important understanding of the story line. Margaret Atwood, was able to successfully create symbols which added depth and helped with the understanding of the novel. With these symbols she used in the novel she proved the importance and the positive effects strong symbolism can have with plot and character
The most direct way in which an author reinforces the themes of a novel is through the use of literary devices. In Cloudstreet by Tim Winton, one of the most prominent of these devices is symbolism, which plays upon the aesthetic sensibilities harboured by the text's audience and provides insight and deeper understanding to the themes of the novel. Indeed, Cloudstreet itself, the river and religious symbolism contribute to meaning and the author's endorsement of love, family, determination, and spirituality in the search for completeness.
Symbolism is one of the most effective and powerful elements in writing. We see various examples of this all throughout "The Things They Carried." Symbolism enables us to tell a story one way, while all along trying to say another. I believe Tim O'Brien has achieved success in doing so in "The Things They Carried."
The analysis argues the use of symbolism as it applies to the aspects of the characters and their relationships. Henrik Ibsen’s extensive use of symbols is applied to capture the reader’s attention. Symbols like the Christmas tree, the locked mailbox, the Tarantella, Dr. Rank’s calling cards, and the letters add a delicate meaning to the characters and help convey ideas and themes throughout the play.
All forms of literature consist of patterns that can be discovered through critical and analytical reading, observing and comparing. Many patterns are discussed in the novel, How to Read Literature like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster. Among these patterns, he discusses the use of symbolism and the representation something can have for a different, underlying aspect of a piece of literature. These symbols tend to have multiple meanings and endless interpretations depending on who is reading and analyzing them. No matter
Symbolism is commonly used by authors that make short stories. Guin is a prime example of how much symbolism is used in short stories such as “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” and “Sur.” In both of these stories Guin uses symbolism to show hidden meanings and ideas. In “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” there is a perfect Utopian city, yet in this perfect city there is a child locked in a broom closet and it is never let out. A few people leave the city when they find out about the child, but most people stay. Furthermore, in “Sur” there is a group of girls that travel to the South Pole and reach it before anyone else, yet they leave no sign or marker at the South Pole. Guin’s stories are very farfetched and use many symbols. Both “Sur” and “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” have many symbols such as colors, characters, objects, and weather. The four types of symbols that Guin uses help the readers understand the themes in her short stories. Although her stories are farfetched, they need symbolism in them or the reader would not understand the theme; therefore the symbols make Guin’s stories much more enjoyable.
When reading a story, novel, or except there are numerous literally deceives that can be spotted. These literally techniques make the reading more interesting while having a specific purpose. There can be personification, anecdote, illusion and symbolism. Symbolism is the literally technique when the author refers to an object, person, situation, or place that has a more profound significance in the story. Following this further, in the two short stories, The Pigeon and Cathedral, both authors use symbolism. In The Pigeon the main character Jonathan is confronted with an issue that would not bother most people. From this, he changes himself and learns what would make his like better. Likewise, in Cathedral the main character also reaches an epiphany when he realizes how to make his relationship with his wife more fulfilling, which will improve his life. Moreover, symbolism is used in both short stories to reach a greater interpretation of the stories.
Over the past few months in class we have learned about many aspects of literature. Some examples of them are characterization, setting, style, tone, allegory, theme, and symbolism. I chose to write this essay about the symbolism aspect that is featured in so many great works of literature. Two such stories that we have read in which symbolism is demonstrated is in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck, and The Worker in Sandalwood by Majorie Pickthall.
Everything is a symbol. Everything has a deeper being in which it represents once it is unlocked. The father of deconstruction, Jacques Derrida, was quoted in an interview saying that deconstruction is “to not naturalize what is not natural”. Therefore symbolism is deconstruction in its rawest form. Symbols beg to not be taken at their natural face-value, but rather dived into to reach their deep inner-core of true meaning. One must use every element of deconstruction to unlock the true meaning of a symbol. Symbolism in literature allows the author to express his thoughts and motives in a way that is engaging and entertaining to the reader. The reader must dissect every bit of knowledge presented in order to reach the full fountain of knowledge that can be expressed by a symbol. Symbols are a beautiful thing. It allows the reader to make his own connections to the author’s expressions. The reader can especially be engaged in George Orwell’s 1949 dystopian novel 1984. Symbolism is important in 1984 because the reader can find connections to today’s government in Orwell’s message of control, propaganda, and oppression within the symbols that Orwell creates.
In the original play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Hamlet is funneled into a situation where he feels obligated to avenge his murdered father. Disease imagery is evident all throughout the play ranging from the beginning with the King’s ghost, to the end with Hamlet’s confrontation with his mother. Through disease imagery, William Shakespeare illustrates the human nature of corruption that drives an individual to benefit his own greed at the expense of others.
The issue of identity is of primary importance in the cosmopolitan today’s world characterized by blending of cultures and globalization processes. Identity is a construct: the ways an individual understands what it is to belong to a certain gender, race or culture. As Jonathan Culler says “Literature has not only made identity a theme; It has played a significant role in the construction of the identity of the readers. Literary works encourage identification with characters by showing things from their point of view” (2005: 112). In this regard there is a lot of theoretical debate that concerns the nature of ‘subject’ or ‘self’. The question about the ‘subject’ is ‘what am I?’ and further the question whether the identity of the ‘subject’ ‘something given’ or ‘something constructed’ has