Symbolism has a powerful effect on both the conscious and unconscious mind. Conspicuous symbolism engages the conscious mind making one think about the many clever connections the author has made. Symbolism of the more subtle variety can have just as much of an effect on the reader; even though the reader may miss an intentional connection made by the author, they are likely to detect it subliminally. This can have a profound impact on the readers understanding and impression of a work. In his novel The Assault, a novel about the consequences of a particular dramatic event that occurred during World War II where the main character’s house was incinerated and all of his close family killed, Harry Mulish takes advantage of this fact by his masterful use of light imagery in many forms, especially that of cigarettes to add selective emphasis to the many philosophical points discussed through the novel, as well as its antithesis, darkness, to help accentuate confusion felt by the characters within the novel.
During several scenes in the novel two characters enter a dialogue discussing two sides of a major philosophical question present in the novel. For example, in the first episode when Anton meets Truus as she is being introduced the narrator makes reference to the small amounts of light entering into the very dark cell, and generally attempts to contrast her from the pitch-black of the cell saying, “As he calmed down, he began to see a pale strip of light under the door and kept his eyes focused on it… She was not as warm as the stove upstairs, yet at the same time she was so much warmer (p 33).” The mention of light as well as warmth in contrast with the dark cold cell that this scene is set in, immediately establishes Truus, as ...
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...allude to the conflagration of the original night of the assault by way of the association cigarettes have with embers and ash. Thusly, this final mention of smoking helps the reader to connect all the information given throughout the novel about what truly happened the night of the assault.
Mulisch’s technique of using imagery to subtly make connections between several areas of the book, especially with constant references to darkness and light throughout the novel, helps make The Assault a thought provoking novel that consistently and effectively connects all its many chronological isolated events into a singular fluent book. He is able to take full advantage of the human ability to subconsciously make connections by filling his novel with recurring references and imagery. Mulisch’s prowess in this skill likely helped him reach the level of acclaim that he did.
Tim O’Brien employs the elements Symbolism, Theme, and Author’s Style in his book The Things They Carried.
Tragedy impacts each human being differently. Some are able to forgive and forget, some become angry and seek vengeance of some sort, while others bury those feelings deep within themselves and become apathetic. In The Assault by Harry Mulisch uses careful diction, apprehensive tone, striking oxymoron, and dark irony to show that while many may have been involved in the same tragedy, their roles in the tragedy and how they handle grief from it create a different outcome for each.
During the process of writing literature, and for works of fiction especially, authors will often utilize a literary device known as symbolism, in order to further engage readers and add a deeper layer of meaning to their story. Any object, person, or situation, can be used as a symbol provided it represents an additional concept or abstract idea apart from its literal meaning. In several fictitious stories, the element of symbolism plays a crucial role in helping writers extend the meaning behind their works beyond the prosaic. Two notable pieces of literature that skilfully demonstrate how symbolic imagery can enhance the narrative include, Frankenstein and “Goblin Market”—written by Mary Shelley and Christina Rossetti, respectively. Within
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.
The prominent theme that was exhibited throughout the novel was inhumanity. The quote "Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky." This quotation shows how a powerful authority had all the control to carry out disturbing actions and no common ma...
imagery and connotation to create pathos and logos to strike fear into the readers, and
In the passage `A Nonsmoker With a Smoker' written by Phillip Lopate, the writer discusses his hatred as well as his fascination with smoking. He tells a story about his girlfriend Helen, who was a smoker, and how her smoking bothered him not only in a distasteful manner but also in a manner of not understanding. Because he didn't smoke he didn't realize what it means to those who do. He couldn't understand why, although Helen didn't like the fact that she smoked, she couldn't quit. He couldn't understand the addiction aspect of it. He goes through many of his life experiences of smoking and tries finding understanding with in them.
...e of the meanings to be determined by the reader, but clearly conveys the meaning behind others. Such variety provides something or someone for any reader to relate to. Symbolism, hidden or obvious, serves to connect the reader with the characters of “The Things They Carried” and follow their development with interest and ease. In many cases, symbols answer the question which the entire story is based upon, why the men carry the things they do.
In a well-written short story, different literary elements and terms are incorporated into the story by the author. Ernest Hemingway frequently uses various literary elements in his writing to entice the reader and enhance each piece that he writes. In Hills Like White Elephants, Hemingway uses symbols to teach the reader certain things that one may encounter during daily life. Symbolism may be defined as relating to, using, or proceeding by means of symbols (Princeton). The use of symbols in Hills Like White Elephants is utterly important to the plot line and to the fundamental meaning of the story. Through this use of symbolism, the reader can begin to reveal the hidden themes in this short story.
Symbolism “acts as webbing between theme and story. Themes alone can sound preachy, and stories alone can sound shallow. Symbolism weaves the two together” (Hall). Symbolism uses the story to convey the theme. Darkness is used in the novel to show the secrecy and lies that the story has. The whole story involves secrecy among two women and a man. Without symbolism the story would just have a very dark house and two very mysterious and disturbed women. Instead there is a feel of secrecy right from the beginning. Symbolism gives the story excitement, while also providing the reader with a good read. The author can read the first few pages and determine the story is not a happy
...at could these five pieces of literature possibly have in common?’ The answer to this question is very simple, these pieces of literature each possess symbolic colors that represent something different. Yellow wallpaper represents a deteriorating mind, a shabby, black box represents a gruesome, sacrificial death, green is the physical representation of power and wealth in society, a mixture of blue and yellow represents the confusion of a clear sky with dead grass and ‘Blue Roses’ and Blue Mountain represent the longing someone feels for something they can never have. Perhaps a paining is not the only symbol for the universe. Perhaps every piece of literature is related to each other in such a way that by reading each piece of literature, one can connect the different symbols an author chooses to use and recognize the complex harmony that binds the literature world.
Although there are no major buildings in the novel, the conch shell, Piggy’s glasses and the fire show how symbols wield different amounts and kinds of power. When each is destroyed, there is a weakening in the power one can get from them. The use of symbols is crucial to this novel, thus, William Golding helps show us that an object is so much more powerful than it may first be.
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
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.
Vasantha speaks with a soldier he meets near a fort; the soldier comes over with a cigarette between his fingers and asks Vasantha for a lighter, from there on the cigarettes takes on the role of exhibiting the soldier’s concealed emotions. “He stared at his cigarette as though it were a slow-burning fuse” (132). Just like Vasantha, the soldier also views his cigarette as a substitute to subside his forlorn feelings. The soldier fell in love with a girl that is on the other side of the war and managed to kill her brother. He is filled with regret. Before he tells his story to Vasantha he holds the cigarette “delicately between his thumb and two fingers.” (129). This contrast of holding a deadly object in his hands “delicately” parallels how he handles his emotions. He averts his thoughts and tries to move on. He questions marriage by asking “What is it about, really?” (132). This shows his desperate need to try and convince himself that the past is meant to be forgotten. His pessimistic views are further shown as he says things like “It becomes a disaster” (133) and “How can you cross the thing that you have built to protect yourself?” (133). For the soldier the cigarettes are a way to forget the immutable past and move on, to rid his mind of unnecessary thoughts. Just like with Vasantha, the cigarettes here are used as a way to