Modest Proposal Symbolism

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Recommended: The importance of settings in novels

Every story requires a setting, or the place and time in which the events take place. In every scenario, the setting in critical because it aids in the development of the characters. For instance, in The Yellow Wallpaper, the main character develops psychosis after being trapped in a room with yellow wallpaper for an extended period of time (Gilman 559-563). Also, in the story of A Modest Proposal, the setting is crucial because it takes place in Ireland in the early 1700’s. Swift explains through his writing that Ireland was overrun by beggars and famine during this time, creating a grievous state for living conditions (Swift 500). 2. Symbols are frequently used in every piece of literature in order to represent something else. In Battle Royal, the main character represents the social injustice African Americans faced. During his speech, the narrator accidentally calls for “social equality” and is immediately met with retaliation from the crowd (Ellison 370). Instead of defending his statement, he apologizes and resume his place in society, as did most blacks during the early 1900’s. In Letters to Birmingham, Dr. King refers to himself as apostle Paul, and that he must “respond to the Macedonian” (King 533). He uses this symbolism to state that the people of In the story A Good Man is Hard to Find, O’Connor introduces a future event by having the grandmother inform the readers that a criminal is one the loose and headed towards Florida (O’Connor 138). This happens to be the state the family is traveling towards for vacation, insinuating that this could result in a future conflict. Also, in The Yellow Wallpaper the main character continuously expresses her intense dislike for the wallpaper but referring to it as “horrid” and “sickly” (Gilman 553-563). This tactic calls attention to how the wallpaper will become a problematic source for the main character in the

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