Symbolism

Symbols are used to represent something else. They can range from a red octagon representing a stop sign to a fish representing Jesus. They give depth and entice imagination and expressive thinking. They are often overlooked but can give new meaning to the work when discovered. Symbols and symbolism can be found all around in language, in art, and in literature [PAR]. Language, in and of itself, is a bunch of symbols combined in a way to represent ideas and physical objects. In art, an artist can use symbolism to portray an underlying message behind his or her painting. Symbolism, within irony, plot, characters, etc., is used in literature [SAS]. In the novella, Billy Budd, Herman Melville effectively uses symbolism throughout the story. Billy Budd best shows symbolism through the name of the novella, Billy Budd as Jesus, and Billy's speech impediment.

Herman Melville did not just accidentally and randomly choose "Billy Budd" as the title and name of the main character. In fact, like most great authors Melville carefully and wisely chose the words he wanted to be symbolic, such as the name Billy Budd. Billy is the common nickname for William which makes the name Billy more naïve and supports his innocence [SAS]. Melville wrote: "his unpretentious good looks and a sort of genial happy-go-lucky air" and wanted to portray the idea of Billy's innocence (9). The last name "Budd" given to billy was also cleverly chosen symbolically representing a flower bud. The bud idea suites Billy Budd well because it represents the beauty within that has not yet developed to express itself to the world. This also parallels to the idea of his innocence because like the bud being undeveloped, Billy is naïve and has not yet fully developed as a ch...

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...ered after being accused of mutiny. Regardless of Billy's imperfection he is still symbolic to Jesus.

Billy Budd with his charming appearance, outgoing personality, and forgiving nature is portrayed as Jesus [PAR]. With many more important symbols in Billy Budd, Melville displays his genius mind through his clever symbolism. He was able to create a character to symbolize Jesus while giving him a necessary flaw. Billy Budd is not just a story about a sailor who is admired by all and then praised after his death but it also has an underlying religious message about forgiveness created through symbolism. Symbolism helps add another element to writing and art. It is often used to send a message to its audience about a moral or societal issue. Symbolism is an effective tool in literature and can be found in more pieces than realized once a second look, or read, is taken.