The Symbolism Of Water In 'Gem Of The Ocean' By August Wilson

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Gem of the Ocean Gem of the Ocean was written by August Wilson. In the play, Wilson uses many symbols to convey various messages. One symbol in particular stood out the most. The question of how is water symbolic throughout the play came to mind, when reading. In Gem of the Ocean, August Wilson uses water to symbolize deliverance through new beginnings, death and hardships. Although, Wilson uses many symbols to convey his message there is one particular message that he wants the audience to understand. There is an underlying theme that explains that the society African Americans are living in is unjust. Due to this, African Americans feel as though they must be delivered into a new realm; whether it be death or a new start. Wilson uses …show more content…

Again, in Aunt Ester’s dream Solly is on the ship with his men. “You come on back and all your men had drowned and the boat was sinking” (Wilson 1.1). He leaves and when he comes back his ship and his men both sank. Wilson uses the water to symbolize hardship because this is something tragic Solly had to go through. Another example of Wilson uses to show hardships through water is with Citizen Barlow’s City of Bones trip. “I’m chained to the boat. Who chained me to the boat? Somebody help me” (Wilson 2.2). With this, Wilson is explaining that this trip was not a pleasant one. Citizen wanted to go to the City of Bones, but did not know it would be hard to get there. This showed that you have to go through hardships to get to the good times. Wilson uses Solly’s character to show hardships through water when he says, “I told myself I just can’t sit around and collect dog shit while the people drowning. The people drowning in sorrow and grief. That’s a mighty big ocean. They got the law tied to their toe. Every time they try and swim the law pull them under” (Wilson 2.2). Wilson is personifying the water as the law. He explains that people are drowning because the water is pulling them down. Essentially, he is saying that the law is constricting people and not allowing them to have any opportunity to live their life causing

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