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Symbolism Essays

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Imagine a world with no superior power and no rules. When a group of small boys’ plane crashes on a deserted island, they do not live with any of these. They have to survive and in the process many flaws in present society are pointed out. Certain objects can be used to show these connections and how they relate to today. In Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses a conch for a symbol of civility and power, a signal...
1 Page 655 Words
Introduction to Steinbeck and Symbolism John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California in 1902 and is the author of many famous novels such as The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and Of Mice and Men and he is known as one of the greatest storytellers of the 19th century. His novels are known for their social criticism, including the addition of economic problems and social class. Most of Steinbeck’s novels take place in rural areas and tend to consist...
4 Pages 1923 Words
“A painting being painted, one or a few strokes at a time,” meaning that one can learn and progress quickly or slowly. In some cases, some can learn through a tougher challenge, while others have it easier. Either way, it is part of the process of transformation and maturation. The author uses symbolism to show how Jerry wants to be independent and not rely on his mother. She also uses imagery to describe the setting, create suspense, and create the...
2 Pages 724 Words
Throughout Harper Lee’s Novel To Kill a Mockingbird there is extensive symbolism throughout. Some subtle and others obvious. The most preeminent symbol is undoubtably the mockingbird itself. A symbol of courage, innocence and adulthood. These are illustrated throughout the characters Atticus Finch, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. Atticus Finch demonstrates courage when he chooses to defend Tom Robinson in a legal case that no one else would even consider taking, a seemingly unwinnable fight. The opposite of courage in their...
2 Pages 884 Words
“For they do not look through to the soul, nor have a keen eye for virtue, but they stop at the outward excellencies of the body and admire daring, and strength, speed in running, and size, and consider these as fit qualifications for the purple robe and diadem” (Goodreads). In this quote, Anna Coleman portrays how society views others and the fundamental views of the narrator in the short story “Cathedral.” In the story, the author Raymond Carver displays the...
3 Pages 1425 Words
Science fiction can be one of the most distinct and interesting genres to portray. This is because of how directors and filmmakers use various cinematic techniques to create and tell an interesting and compelling story. Three elements of styles that directors use to enhance the viewing experience of science-fiction films are mood, symbolism, and diction. One key element of style in science-fiction films is mood. Mood can help create a clear atmosphere in a story or film. This is achieved...
1 Page 579 Words
There is something quite interesting when people talk about the American Dream. Gatsby spends his whole life trying to work hard to get money and the girl. Daisy on the other hand has everything handed to her and didn’t want someone with no money. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbols such as the valley of ashes, the green light, and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg to indicate how greed, materialism, and the loss of moral values in society contributed to...
2 Pages 761 Words
Struggles between knowledge and ignorance often occur in society. In Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, the government attempts to control the people by enforcing censorship of information and the burning of books. The main character, Guy Montag, struggles against himself, his boss, Beatty, and the government as he tries to stop promoting ignorance and seeks change in a conformist society. In this novel, the author cleverly changes the significance of the fire motif to represent the change from a negative association...
3 Pages 1182 Words
In a world where technology has taken over and freethinking and information from books is prohibited, how does one carry on with their life? Fahrenheit 451 gives us that giving technology a chance to assume control over us can prompt some detrimental results. Throughout Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury utilizes various instances of symbolism to show character advancement and to feature major themes. One of the most noteworthy antagonists in the novel, The Hound, symbolizes the perils of technology and modernization....
2 Pages 819 Words
Comedian, George Carlin once said, “That's why they call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.” Of Mice and Men follows the journey of two men trying to achieve their version of the American Dream, which leads them to their unfortunate demise. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck conveys that the American dream is unattainable - through foreshadowing and symbolism - no matter how much hard work is put in, it leads to pain...
2 Pages 915 Words
George Orwell uses a range of language features such as metaphor, characterisation and symbolism to convey his personal view of people involved within the Russian revolution, through his story known as Animal Farm. Animal Farm is a short story about animals who run a farm and the eventual downfall of its perfection. Though being a fairly simple short story, it is an allegory that lines up with events that occurred in the Russian revolution. Orwell uses metaphors to allow his...
1 Page 440 Words
The informational book “How To Read Literature Like A Professor” illustrates the specifics of reading by showing the reader the different techniques and understandings of what the literature is featuring inside it's text. One in depth idea of literature that it talks about in the book is “symbolism”. Symbolism (as shown in the book) is a general idea/meaning that can be interpreted in different ways (not one specific meaning) as it shows us different examples of text that uses symbolism...
3 Pages 1199 Words
Throughout The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams utilizes numerous symbols to assist the characterizations of the people in the play. Each symbol provides a distinct meaning to each character. For example, the fire escape represents a path to the outside world for Tom, while it represents Laura’s inability to leave the apartment. Tom, constantly unsatisfied with his situation desires an escape from reality, where he can be free of the restrictions his family places on him and the desolate job of...
1 Page 420 Words
In Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic tales the use of literary devices such as setting, symbolism, and point of view are frequently used to reveal significant aspects of a central character. This can be portrayed in the short stories by Edgar Allen Poe's tell-tale heart, the black cat, the fall of the house of the usher. The gothic tales are used to portray a person’s deepest and darkest fears and the actions that are caused by them with negative repercussions. Edgar...
3 Pages 1651 Words
Mankind has made so many advancements and created a lot of developments with innovations like the television. However, as young children plug into the television set instead of enjoying being outside or interacting with one another, some might think about whether we are without a doubt moving forward and progressing or if it is actually creating regression. This idea is put to test in the short story, “The Pedestrian”. The story provides what could be our possible future. The main...
3 Pages 1373 Words
Introduction Frida Kahlo, through her use of art as a vehicle for social and political comments, has been able to address world events and relevant social, political, economic, and cultural issues of the time. Not only was Frida one of the greatest Mexican artists and painters of all time, but she was also celebrated for her depiction of political and social issues as well as personal issues experienced. It is evident in her artworks, through the use of color and...
3 Pages 1217 Words
Girl Before a Mirror (1932) – Pablo Picasso For this assignment, I have chosen to discuss the painting ‘Girl Before a Mirror’ (1932) by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (October 25th, 1851- April 8th, 1973). My reasoning for selecting this painting in particular was that a large portion of my micro/macro studio project involved investigating and exploring distortion. Picasso is a master of distorting objects, both the tangible and the intangible, infusing them with emotion and symbolism whilst allowing them to...
2 Pages 1032 Words
Renaissance was a great era of innovation and ideas that followed the Medieval period or the Dark Ages of ignorance and uncivilization. Renaissance can be defined as “Rebirth” in French because it was the rebirth and rediscovery of great ancient art styles, Greek and Roman, which can be seen in many art pieces from this period, for instance, David sculpture by Michelangelo and Venus of Urbino by Titian. Moreover, Renaissance was the efflorescence of Arts (CrashCourse, 2012). This new era...
4 Pages 1662 Words
Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare and published in 1673 during the reign of King James I. Macbeth is thought to be the play that most closely relates to his relationship with the king. Macbeth is a General who receives a prophecy from three witches saying, “all hail Macbeth, he shalt be king hereafter!” prophesying his becoming King of Scotland. This and his wife’s drive for power leads to him killing King Duncan and committing regicide to take the Scottish...
5 Pages 2207 Words
During the fourteenth century, more than half of the European population was killed off by the Black Death. The plague had social, economic, and religious effects on European history. After this incident, people began to transform; and gradually, new attitudes, ideas, and many different works of art were created. Leonardo da Vinci was one of the key figures in the Renaissance Period. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci, “The Last Supper” is a precious piece of art with hidden meaning that...
2 Pages 727 Words
Fyodor Dostoevsky is considered not only one of the most influential writers in Russian history but one of the most respected authors in all of contemporary literature. His most successful novel, Crime and Punishment, is heralded as a masterpiece and its literary influence is still felt to this day. Dostoevsky himself became very religious following his release from jail, and his influence from this can be seen in the many references, religious symbols and themes throughout Crime and Punishment. In...
3 Pages 1560 Words
The exact date of the first cave art found is unknown but they are dated back to Palaeolithic times and said to be around forty thousand years old. There are around 400 sites recorded and among some of the oldest are the Magura cave in Bulgaria, 6300 BC to 3000 BC; Cueva de la Manos, Argentina, 7000 BC; Laas Gaal, Somalia, 9000 BC to 3000 BC; Lascaux paintings, France, around seventeen thousand years old; Serra da Capivara, Brazil, 23000 BC...
6 Pages 2954 Words
Introduction: Symbolism and Female Oppression in "The Yellow Wallpaper" This paper aims to identify and analyze those symbolisms prominent in “The Yellow Wallpaper” which represent the struggles of the oppression of females in the 19th century. “The Yellow Wallpaper” manages to represent the patriarchal society, specifically that of the 19th century in America, and is thus often read as feminist literature. Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1892) is about a woman, the unnamed narrator of this short...
5 Pages 2070 Words
Personal Identity. We all have it, but we don’t all know what this actually is. Identity is the qualities, beliefs, personalities, and attitudes that make a person or group. We’ve all heard of “the Dreaming”, but what does this term actually refer to? The Dreaming is the Aboriginal World's central and deepest reality. For Aboriginals, Dreaming plays a significant role in creating their personal identity. Dreaming is the spiritual dimension of nature that has existed from the beginning and continues...
2 Pages 903 Words
For my research paper, I decided to look into some of the occult symbology and mysticism found in some of Picasso’s works of the 1930s as well as his involvement in elite circles who practiced these ideas. Contemperaries like Carl Jung who also believed in some of these ideas wrote letters to describe their feelings on the meanings of Picasso’s paintings. There are a series of themes that show up over the series of his work that display his knowledge...
7 Pages 3099 Words
When you hear the term 'blood', what comes to mind? Body, violence, life, or death are just some of the words that we think of about blood. The novel, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is set before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Two boys, Amir and Hassan, grew up as childhood friends, but their fates are known to be different. As a Pashtun, Amir enjoys his life as a wealthy young boy in Kabul, whereas Hassan faces discrimination and...
2 Pages 1122 Words
Although published in 1967, Outsiders by S.E Hinton an easy-to-read narrative is still relevant to many teenagers today. Darry and Sodapop host a ‘good cop, bad cop’ bringing up and complimenting one another’s stern affection for Ponyboy. However, Pony also feels Darry is pushing and expects too much of him which is collateral to teenagers today. Hinton also shows one's growth by their capability to view things undividedly and on a wider spectrum. The novel is written in a fourteen-year-old's...
1 Page 663 Words
This short story The Furnished Room is written by American poet William Sydney Porter. William Sydney Porter is known by his pet name O. Henry. He was born in Greensboro in 1862. He moved to New York where Henry's most intensive writing period occurred, he wrote 381 short stories. His short stories are famous for their surprise ending and witty narration. Mostly, his stories are about the ordinary people of New York and deal with the individual aspects of life....
2 Pages 1059 Words
In the epic, The Odyssey, the author, Homer, used symbolism in the description of Odysseus’ bed. He had carved the bed from a tree. The tree’s roots went deep which produced a sturdy, healthy, and long-lasting tree. Since the roots were a part of the foundation of the house, there is an implication that a strong family is fundamental to a strong society. The rooted tree also represents how loyal Penelope (Odysseus’ wife) and Odysseus were to each other despite...
5 Pages 2263 Words
The characters in Things Fall Apart each have their character traits as well as gender roles that they are expected to follow. In Things Fall Apart symbols are used to describe the behaviors and traits of the characters in the book as well as their fears. Three major symbols are used throughout the book, such fire to show the sullen nature and masculinity between Okonkwo and the men in umuofia, the kola nut which shows mutual respect between clansmen and...
1 Page 664 Words
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