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To kill a mockingbird examples of symbolism
To kill a mockingbird examples of symbolism
To kill a mockingbird examples of symbolism
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Symbolism in Raisin in the Sun Throughout the play A Raisin in the Sun multiple types of symbolism are clearly shown. Hansberry does a wonderful job of allowing these symbols to be seen, like a specific object (Mamas plant) or a general object (money). She sometimes even uses symbols through people (Beneatha) to get certain points across. She is clever in her use of symbolism because she is able to get a feeling of the time period in which they are in, from certain objects that represent something else. Using symbolism is very important because it helps the reader get a more detail sense of the issue, problem, or event that is occurring. The first use of symbolism is the plant in which Mama takes care of .This plant represents many things …show more content…
but the most obvious example is that the plant represents her family. Though the family is falling apart, she wants desperately to keep the family going, even though they are almost an inch away from "death". She tends for them each and every day; however she sees no progress in the family much like the plant. Every day, she takes care of the plant and looks after it even though it is still dying; she pushes to keep it alive. "Lord, if this little old plant don't get more sun than its been getting it ain't never going to see spring again" (40). This quote, by Mama clearly explains that the old plant is dying because the sun is not shining on it.
As of this point in the play no sun is shining on the Younger family either. The second type of symbolism in the plant is Mama needs to and wants and take care of a garden. It is her dream to move out of their old rundown apartment and into a house where it would be possible to have a garden, however once again it comes back to the subject of Mama wanting to be a part of something. She feels as if her family has no need for her anymore, she needs someone to need her, she has fallen on the hopes of this little plant that is all she has to take care of in this …show more content…
world. The second form of symbolism in this play is Beneatha and her quest to find out who she is. This symbolizes the way in which she is finding someone or something else to blame for their misery. She believes that because we are forced into this land, we are doomed to have a life which is not happy. She also explains to her family in the play that all their problems will be solved if they go back to their country of origin and find out who they are there. "You're looking at what a well dressed Nigerian women wears…Enough with all this assimilation junk!" (76) This quote clearly explains that Beneatha has gone away from her belief that the only thing that matters in the world is getting rich. She now believes that the only reason why they are contemplating the subject of money is because we were brought here in the first place, and we are now obligated to have this burden. This symbolism, I believe is very important because it shows the way Beneatha acts towards her family, instead of blaming them, because she knows that, that will get her nowhere, she decides to find another purpose for the family's position in society. Her vision of a perfect family no longer involves the crowded walls of their apartment but the vast land of Africa. Her quest to find who she is starts with the first step of going back to the land from which their ancestors came from. The last form of symbolism is the problem and burden of money.
Throughout the play the subject of money plays a very important role in their lives. From Walter's point of view, money symbolizes a ticket. The only way to have a name in society or have some importance is to have this "ticket". Without it you are rejected and an outcast. This need to have this "ticket" is driving Walter to the point of insanity. He, in the beginning of the play, is very calm about his proposition of investing money in a liquor store. He goes to Ruth, explains how this will make him rich and happier. However Ruth just blows him off and says "eat your eggs". Walter then tries with Mama, explaining that to have money will make Travis appreciates him more as a father. Mama then says that he has a job; Walter interrupts and says that his job is opening and closing doors for white people, and that, that is not considered a job. Then Walter completely explodes when Ruth tells him she is pregnant. He pressures the family more saying that it is even more important now that they are going to be paying for another person. He then cracks and goes to the bar multiple times during the play. He finally is cornered by Mama who gives him the left over money from buying the
house. "Mama, something is happening between Walter and me. I don't know what it is - but he needs something - something I can't give him any more. He needs this chance, Lena" (25) In this quote Ruth is asking Mama on Walters's behalf to give him the money. Mama still hesitant finally gives in and gives him the money. In conclusion, there are many types of symbolism in A Raisin in the Sun, from starting off with the subject of money which is carried all throughout the play and then to Mama's plant which is important in symbolizing the family and her role in their life. Finally, the subject of Beneatha's idea of assimilation and her way to deal with the wrath of her family caused by her decision to go find and explore more about their past. All of these are part of what made A Raisin in the Sun so well known and memorable play.
One of the first ideas mentioned in this play, A Raisin In the Sun, is about money. The Younger's end up with no money because of Walter's obsession with it. When Walter decides not to take the extra money he is offered it helps prove Hansberry's theme. Her theme is that money can't buy happiness. This can be seen in Walter's actions throughout the play.
The play depicts the feelings and thoughts of the people of their time. Their feelings are different then what we see today in our lives. The family had to deal with poverty and racism. Not having enough money and always being put down because of the color of their skin held them back from having a lot of self-respect and dignity. I think that Mama was the one who had the most pride and held the family together.
To begin, the flowers represent the racism and prejudice that lies within the tight community of Maycomb, Alabama. One instance of the flowers being used as symbolism is when Camellias
Stephanie Kelley Comp 2 Ms. Caldwell 12 November 2016 The American Dream In Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun,” she uses the Younger family to show that as individuals strive to reach their dreams they often ignore the aspirations of others but they may eventually learn to support each other in an attempt to better their lives. Hansberry uses each character to express the different views people may have about the American Dream. Each family member has their own pursuit of happiness, which is accompanied by their American Dream.
Symbolism. Why is it important in a novel? Why do authors incorporate symbols into their writing? Symbolism aids the reader in understanding what the author wants to portray. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, she writes about the racism in a small town in Alabama named Maycomb set in the 1930’s and about two children growing up and learning that their town is not as perfect as they thought. The theme topic appearance versus reality helps to get a better understanding of the symbols used in the novel and that you should not judge something by their appearance, you should judge by the reality of what it is. “As Atticus once advised me to do, I tried to climb into Jem’s skin and walk around in it.” (Scout page 77) In her novel, there are many symbols throughout the narrative that relate to the theme topic appearance versus reality. Harper Lee writes symbols into her novel, such as the snowman, Mrs. Dubose’s Camellia flower and Dolphus Raymond’s Coca-Cola bottle to help reinforce the theme topic of appearance versus reality throughout the novel.
The civil rights movement brought enlightenment towards the abolishment of segregation laws. Although the laws are gone does segregation still exist in fact? “What happens to a dream deferred, does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?'; said, in a poem by Langston Huges. The story, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry showed segregation and its affects upon all races. This essay will show how Assimilationists and New Negroes fought for their own identity in the mid twentieth century. Whether they were being true to themselves or creating carbon copies of oppression was determined by one’s view upon society.
A symbol can be simple similar to a colour or deep enough to represent a spiritual meaning. The novel, To Kill A Mockingbird is enhanced by many symbols and events that represent the wisdom, theme, setting or nature of a person. Maycomb being a biased town, Mrs.Dubose is one of the most racist women living there. However, the white camellia flower portrays Ms.dubose’s inner self, her real courage and the distinctive person she is. The society of Maycomb quickly judges people either by a rumour or the way their lineage is corresponding to status, race and wealth. Tom Robinson’s race differentiates him regardless of the blame he is not guilty of. The mockingbird symbol
In A Raisin In the Sun Lorraine Hansberry uses everyday objects-a plant, money, and a home to symbolize a family's struggle to deal with racism and oppression in their everyday lives, as well as to exemplify their dreams. She begins with a vivid description of the family's weary, small, and dark apartment in Chicago's ghetto Southside during the 1950s. The Youngers are an indigent African-American family who has few choices in their white society. Each individual of the Younger family has a separate dream-Beneatha wants to become a doctor, Walter wants to open a liquor store, and Ruth and Mama want a new and better home. The Youngers struggle to accomplish these dreams throughout the play, and a major aspect of their happiness and depression is directly linked to their achievement, or failure to achieve their dreams.
The chasing of a mirage is a futile quest where an individual chases an imaginary image that he or she wants to capture. The goal of this impossible quest is in sight, but it is unattainable. Even with the knowledge that failure is inevitable, people still dream of catching a mirage. There is a fine line that separates those who are oblivious to this fact, and to those who are aware and accept this knowledge. The people who are oblivious represent those who are ignorant of the fact that their dream will be deferred. This denial is the core of the concept used in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. The perception of the American Dream is one that is highly subjective, but every individual dream ends in its own deferment.
In almost every story, one can find symbolism throughout the text to help the reader better understand what the writer wants the reader to takeout from his/her story. Symbolism is something that must be analyzed and explored to experience a deeper meaning to the story. Sometimes, symbolism throughout a story may not be noticeable when first read, but going back to analyze the text can add a deeper meaning to words and can also help to enhance the meaning behind the story line. In some instances, symbolism can leave a reader to ponder what the writer is trying to express with the symbolism used in the story; for symbolism can be interpreted differently and can have many layers of meaning to it. Some good examples of short stories that use symbolism to extend the meaning behind the story line are “The Lottery,” “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall,” and “The Jury of Her Peers”.
Symbolism in literature is using an object to portray a different, deeper meaning in a story. Symbols represent ideas or qualities that the author has maneuvered into his or her story that has meaning. There can be multiple symbols in a story or just one. It is up to the reader to interpret the meaning of the symbols and their significance to the story. While reading a story, symbols may not become clear until the very end, once the climax is over, and the falling action is covered. In William Faulkner’s, “A Rose for Emily,” there are multiple examples of symbolism that occur throughout the story.
Symbols can display the characters feelings towards one another and the major conflict of the text. For example, in the play “Trifles”, Mrs. Wright’s feelings toward her husband and their marriage is demonstrated using the symbols including the bird, the broken birdcage, and the fruit preserves. Mr. Hale retrogresses the night when Mrs. Wright has told him that her husband was dead. Subsequently, the two men and the two women separates in where the women discover several trifles that are the key to understanding Mrs. Wright’s life. The women first find the broken birdcage in the cupboard then later on, the dead bird in the sewing kit. The bird represents Mrs. Wright herself as she was “real sweet and pretty but kind of timid and--fluttery” (Glaspell 7). However, as a result of her marriage, Mrs. Wright felt trapped like a bird in its birdcage. There is a possibility that Mrs. Wright has been physically or emotionally abused by Mr. Wright which can be inferred from the symbols. For instance, Mrs. Wright could not have killed the bird, because she liked the bird so it must have been Mr. Wright who killed it (Glaspell). In addition, Minnie’s decision to kill her husband is represented by the broken fruit preserves and the broken birdcage when she could not take her ma...
Themes are an essential part of any type of story, poem, or even play. Although these writings are of different genres each author used a type of literary element to show their various themes of deferred dreams, contrasting ideas of heritage, and longing for freedom. “A Raisin in the Sun” is a drama about a family that lived during the times of racism and how they struggled to make their dreams a reality. Lorraine Hansberry uses the literary element of symbolism to show her theme of deferred dreams. Hansberry uses Mama’s plant to symbolize her family.
People hold different things to be symbolic. Dove and peace, a rose and love; they are simple things yet widely symbolic. Symbolism is commonly used in literature to change or deepen meanings or instill a different meaning to the mind of the readers. The reader is forced to think, make connections, and succeed in adding a new meaning to the novel. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses symbolism in the form of his characters and to develop the theme, the corruption of the American Dream.
A Raisin in the Sun is a classic tragedy. Through struggle the Younger’s all experience some hardship in learning the value of money and equality. I will have to say that the play was very interesting yet hard to watch. My first impression was that the stage was slanted. I’m still not sure why the stage was slanted and would love to ask the director of why it was slanted. Secondly, the actors were very hard to hear due to their soft speaking.