Important Symbols Essays

  • Important Symbols in The Glass Menagerie

    1189 Words  | 3 Pages

    Important Symbols in The Glass Menagerie In his play The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams uses a multitude of symbols. From these symbols, there comes a deeper understanding of the relationships between the play's four characters. The most obvious symbol in this play is Laura's glass menagerie, representing the world she lives in. Another recurring symbol is that of the fire escape. Outside the fire escape is the dance hall, a symbol for the reality of the outside world. Candles and rainbows

  • Three Important Symbols in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

    1428 Words  | 3 Pages

    Three Important Symbols in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams In Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, the narrator is used to reveal elements of Williams' own life as a victim of the Depression in the 1930s. Williams does this through his eloquent use of symbolism. Three symbols seem to reveal Williams' intent especially accurately; the unicorn, the picture of Mr. Wingfield, and Malvolio's coffin trick. The unicorn is a symbolic representation of ways that Laura is unique or

  • Use of Signs and Symbols as Important Forms of Communication

    2946 Words  | 6 Pages

    Use of Signs and Symbols as Important Forms of Communication Signs. They're everywhere. Though this statement is in no way enlightening, it is none the less very true. Within our culture, we are so completely surrounded by signs of all types that they become nearly invisible unless they are looked for. Though this likely seems true to you upon some reflection, it is just as likely that you have only considered "signs" in the most basic literal sense, that is, signs such as those that offer

  • The Symbolic Briefcase in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man

    961 Words  | 2 Pages

    when in reality they are using him for their own benefit. They give him the illusion that he is useful and important, all the while running him in circles. Ellison uses much symbolism in his book, some blatant and some hard to perceive, but nothing embodies the oppression and deception of the white hierarchy surrounding him better than his treasured briefcase, one of the most important symbols in the book. The briefcase is introduced in the very first chapter. The narrator receives it after giving

  • Hucklebery Finn Literary Figures

    875 Words  | 2 Pages

    to rip people’s money off. They were later both tarred and feathered. DICTION: The diction used in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is mostly informal and neutral. SYMBOLISM: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has many important symbols throughout the novel. One major symbol is the raft that Huck and Jim travel on through a majority of the book. In Chapter 18, Huck states, “We said there warn’t no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You

  • Religion in Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving

    727 Words  | 2 Pages

    very self of him, and he seems to learn from the events that occur around him, rather than to himself. Irving’s use of symbolism in the novel is very effective in supporting this theme of religious faith.  One of the most obvious and important symbols is Owen himself.  He is portrayed as a Jesus figure, and himself exclaims, “I AM GOD’S INSTRUMENT.”  There is also reference to the nativity set in the Meany’s home.  It just so happens that the Baby Jesus is missing from the crib in the

  • Human Values and Social Structures

    1876 Words  | 4 Pages

    represent purity and innocence in a normal society. Through the use of children, the reader finds that barbarity and savagery can exist amongst even the smallest and most innocuous form of human beings. In Lord of the Flies, many key characters and symbols represent the almost civilized impulse. Some examples are Ralph, Piggy, and the ‘conch shell’ the boys use to call meetings. These are signs of order and control in a place full of fear and mental pressure. Simon is an example of how humans slowly

  • Comparing the Philosophy of Life in Christianity and Chinese Buddhism

    829 Words  | 2 Pages

    Comparing the Philosophy of Life in Christianity and Chinese Buddhism Chinese Philosophy not only is the fruit of thinking of the Chinese nation, but also is the important component part of world culture. In Chinese philosophy, there are three main parts: Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Among them, Chinese Buddhism, which came from India, experienced a course of sinicization under the influence of Chinese traditional culture represented mainly by Confucianism and Taoism , so it keeps the

  • Vanitas

    705 Words  | 2 Pages

    baton), statuary of a young, virile man and a young child, a portrait of another young man, and a clean palette hanging on the wall. The meaning behind these articles can be manifold, depending upon one’s point of view, but I think they are all important symbols of the passing nature of vitality and life itself. The flowers, once brilliant and lovely, are now withering in their vase. Music, represented by a man playing a lute in a portrait on the wall and by numerous music related items (a recorder,

  • F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby - Symbols and Symbolism

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    Virtually anything in the novel can be taken as a symbol, from the weather, to the colors of clothing the characters wear.  There are three main symbols used in The Great Gatsby, they are The East and West Egg, the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, and the eyes of Dr.T.J. Eckleburg. One of the most important symbols in the novel is class and social standing. It is like a barrier for almost every character. East and West Eggs act as a symbol of this by its physical makeup. Tom and Daisy live

  • J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye: The Symbolism Behind the Book

    1471 Words  | 3 Pages

    Symbolism Behind the Book The Catcher in the Rye is written by J.D. Salinger. This book in particular is closely based on the life of Salinger. The symbols in this book are very highly developed and have a lot to do with the development of Holden's character and also explain how he feels about certain things in his life. The three most important symbols in this book are ducks in the pond in Central Park, the speech and discussion about digression at Mr. Antolini's house, and, of course, the symbolism

  • Symbols and Symbolism - The Letter A in The Scarlet Letter

    1531 Words  | 4 Pages

    of the Letter in The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter includes many profound and important symbols.  This device of symbolism is portrayed well in the novel, especially through the scarlet letter "A".  The "A" is the best example because of the changes in the meaning throughout the novel.  In the beginning of the novel, the scarlet letter "A" is viewed as a symbol of sin. The middle of the novel is a transition period, where the scarlet letter "A" is viewed differently

  • Macbeth - Symbols

    920 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout Shakespeare’s Macbeth, numerous symbols are used. Many of these depict characters’ actions and appearances, emotions, and events that have happened previously in the play. Although there are many symbols used all through the play, there are three important groups of symbols that are used most regularly. These are blood, sleep and animals, which all have different representations. Blood is an important symbol that is used continuously in the play. In the beginning of the play, blood is

  • Comparing Symbols and Symbolism in Young Goodman Brown and The Lottery

    684 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hawthorne, both frequently use symbols within their stories "The Lottery" and "Young Goodman Brown."  Symbols are utilized as an enhancement tool to stress the theme of each story. Hawthorne uses names and objects to enhance the theme, and Jackson mainly utilizes names to stress the theme, although she does have one object as a symbol of great importance to the theme.  The stories both contain symbols describing evil. The majority of Hawthorne's symbols describe religion (both good

  • Symbolism in The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas and Sur by Guin

    1510 Words  | 4 Pages

    use many symbols. Both “Sur” and “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” have many symbols such as colors, characters, objects, and weather. The four types of symbols that Guin uses help the readers understand the themes in her short stories. Although her stories are farfetched, they need symbolism in them or the reader would not understand the theme; therefore the symbols make Guin’s stories much more enjoyable. In “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” Guin uses characters as the main symbols. In this

  • Lord of the Flies

    936 Words  | 2 Pages

    boys try to build a civilized colony but soon fail. Within the novel, objects that the boys find or make, turn into symbols. William Golding uses symbols in the beginning of the book, the conch is a good example of this. The conch is a powerful symbol that develops as the book progresses. The author puts a lot of detail into this one symbol. The conch is a very important symbol that at the beginning of the book is invested with power and at the end this power is destroyed. The conch during

  • What Does The Fire Symbolize In Lord Of The Flies

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    and imagery to the reader. These symbols can be comprised of an object, person, situation, events or actions that have a deeper meaning in context. Many symbols were used in Lord Of The Flies. Many of which symbolized the progression of civility to savagery. Some of these symbols included the fire, Simon's clearing, and Piggy's specs. These symbols added dramatic effect and a deeper meaning to the story. Of all the symbols, the fire was predominantly the most important throughout the novel. The fire

  • Symbolism In The Birthmark And A Wall Of Fire Rising

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    Symbolism is an important technique in literature that adds depth to a story by taking objects, events, actions, or characters that may seem average on the surface, but when thoroughly analyzed, help create a deeper meaning in the story. Symbolism is a key concept in Nathanial Hawthorne’s, “The Birthmark,” a story of a brilliant scientist and his beautiful yet flawed wife, and in Edwidge Danticat’s, “A Wall of Fire Rising,” a story of a poor family living in Haiti, but both short stories use the

  • What Does The Conch Shell Represent In Lord Of The Flies

    645 Words  | 2 Pages

    and random as a shell or pair of glasses can be viewed as a powerful symbol. In William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” the stranded boys find many distinct elements that have this strong symbolism. Through items like the conch shell, Piggy’s glasses, and a pig’s head, Golding shows how when humans are taken away from society, they begin to crumble and the morals that were once so important becomes meaningless. The first symbol, which is stumbled upon at the beginning of the book is the conch shell

  • What Does The Pearl Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

    530 Words  | 2 Pages

    most prevalent symbols in the book are the scarlet letter, Pearl, and the red mark on Dimmesdale’s chest. This device is probably the most important literary device in The Scarlet Letter. The scarlet letter is the most important symbol in the text because it is basically the embodiment of Hester, the main character, in The Scarlet Letter. Hester is given this scarlet letter because of the affair she had while her husband wasn’t present. Throughout the course of the novel, this symbol changes multiple