Premium Essay

The Theme of Symbolism in Literary Works

In:

Submitted By jellis0218
Words 2255
Pages 10
The Theme of Symbolism in Literary Works

ENG 125: Introduction to Literature

August 1, 2011

The Theme of Symbolism in Literary Works There are many literary works available to discover different themes, such as, symbolism. There are stories of death, love, racism, and much more, and not only that, but they are found in any form of literature from dramas to poems to short stories. However, the symbolism of the “journey of life” is most interesting because most people are drawn to stories that involve human nature, and knowing that they are able to connect to the story or people in the story, on a more emotional or personal level. The poem, The Road Not Taken, and the short story, Used To Live Here Once, are literary works that are both about viewing life from different perspectives. With both of these literary works, the reader is captivated by the mystery of the unknown future, and the challenges of the present from two very different perspectives. The Road Not Taken was written by Robert Frost in 1916, and is a poem about someone making a decision to go down one path versus another, and how taking the “path least traveled” is the best way (Clugston, Sec. 2.2: How Use of Persona Effects Your Response To Literature, para. 4). The symbolism that is being displayed in the poem is that of the literal and physical path that the storyteller is contemplating walking down, against the action of taking a path or making a choice in life. The poem is written in a first person point of view, and as such, the reader is able to identify with the confusion and unknown certainty of the writer. When poems or stories are in the first person, “This often means that the main character is the narrator, but some stories are told effectively from the point of view of a minor character who describes and interprets the actions of the central character. First–person point

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Theme and Narrative Elements in a Short Story Essay

...gift for Christmas but they have little money and Della only has $1.87. Della ends up cutting her hair for the money while Jim sells his cherished watch. Through selfless acts done for love, they each end up giving one another a Christmas gift they will always remember and cherish. It didn’t matter to either of them what they had to do in order to provide the gift. The theme was portrayed by the literary elements within the story. Plot, point of view and symbolism are just a few of the literary elements which helped developed the theme of the story. The story I read and critiqued was, “The gift of the Magi”. In order to find the theme of this short story, I had to look beyond the plot, which tells the reader what happened in the story (Clugston, 2010, section 5.5). The theme of this story I believe would be “selfless love”. Other readers, who read the same short story as I did, might have an entirely different theme. This is actually to be expected and is even common. This is because every reader has a different relationship to literature due to each individual’s different experience throughout life. The theme of selfless love, I chose due to I feel like the writer chose selfless love as the underlying idea of the story. The story did have items of joy, sadness, and generosity; however the underlying idea was how Jim and Della went to great lengths in order to make sure they each had an unbelievable present for Christmas for each other. The couple had no idea the other one was...

Words: 1156 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Literature

...Symbolism, theme, and other literary elements within literature Michelle Deckard ENG125 Instructor Heather Neilson 08/18/2014 Symbolism, theme, and other literary elements within literature Literary works are a way of escaping or comparing to day to day life. Many works can grab you with extensive word usage, language, emotion, and even setting. Symbolism which is used in most literary works such as, The Worn path, by Eudora Welty and Good country people by Flannery O’Connor which also have similar themes. Theme consistent in both works is similar due to the religious nature portrayed in, The Worn path and Good country people. Though each are similar each portray a different aspect of faith, from redemption to triumph. Perception of literary elements based on the characters within each work, are portrayed differently the overall themes are similar. Symbolism can be described as one thing meaning more than its literal meaning. (Clugston, 2014) For instance, Welty’s, The Worn path, is seen instantly like: “Seem like there is chains about my feet, time I get this far, she said, in the voice of argument old people keep to use with themselves. Something always take a hold of me on this hill-pleads I should stay.” (Saunders, 1992) The worn path itself is symbolic of the journey of life that has been traveled many times over. Even the character, Phoenix Jackson, her name alone is a symbol. Phoenix is representative of a mystical bird that rises in the air...

Words: 1572 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston: Literary Analysis

...many literary terms within the story. No story, book, essay, or short story can be written without literary terms. This book uses irony, tone, symbolism, and theme. Each one is explained differently and put in so that the readers could have different perspectives. This allows readers to understand a certain book better. Theme, tone, irony, and symbolism all have different meanings to the each reader. Theme is a central meaning or dominant idea in a literary work. It provides a unifying point around which the plot, characters, setting, point of view, symbols, and other elements of work. Zora Neale Hurston writes the theme in many different ways. The one that stands out to me...

Words: 728 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Symbolism of the Jorney

...Symbolism of the Journey Michelle Van Dyke ENG 125 Introductions to Literature Professor Alicia Giffin April 25, 2012 In reading there is always a story to be found within the words written, whether it is in the form of a poem or a short story. “Reading creates imaginary experiences. It connects you to new experiences that become meaningful when you allow them to influence your thoughts and feelings’ (Clugston, 2010, Ch. 1). The writers are able to capture our imagination with the use of characterization, setting, theme and tone throughout their literary works. It is by imagination that we are able to mentally visualize what the author would like us to drawing us into the piece and then allowing us to grasp it by use of symbolism or a descriptive word. How many times have you had a path to choose in life? Have you ever taken a journey? We have all found ourselves on a journey of some kind or another alone, but what is more important is how we choose to end it! In my essay I will compare and contrast the literary works “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost (1916) and “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty (1941). At the conclusion of this essay I believe you will see we all have journeys in life although similar not always the same. In the poem “The Road Not Taken” (Frost, 1916) or the short story “A Worn Path” (Welty, 1941) the theme is analogous. While one speaks of a “Path” the other a “Road” the theme that each of these writings share is presented differently throughout...

Words: 2712 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

The Journey of Symbolism

...SYMBOLISM OF THE JOURNEY The Journey of Symbolism September 2012 SYMBOLISM OF THE JOURNEY A poem and short story, no matter how different are two literary pieces where a story is told. Authors of these works use a blend of different literary elements to take simple script and turn it into something captivating. This lets the story come alive to the reader and seem like so much more than a simple story. For this paper I chose to write about “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost as it has always been a favorite poem of mine, and the short story “I Used to Live Here Once” by Jean Rhys as it was the story that spoke to me the most from our text. These two literary works both share a similar story dealing with symbolism of their journey, which have several similarities as well as some differences. I the three literary works I have chosen to discuss are; the poem “The Road Not Taken” the short story “Used to Live Here Once” and the short story “A Worn Path” all share a common theme, even though they were all differently written. The theme for all three writings shows that no matter how long or how tough life’s journey is the end of the road still depends on the choices and decisions made by the journey person. The person on life’s journey essentially finished their own story. In the poem “The Road Not Taken” there is a traveler who comes to a split in a path in the woods. The traveler is trying...

Words: 2888 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

The Journey: Symbolism of “a Worn Path” and “the Road Not Taken” Final

...Journey: Symbolism of “A Worn Path” and “The Road Not Taken” Expedition. Voyage. Excursion. Pilgrimage. There are many words that are used to describe the word journey but what does it really mean? Many people consider the word journey as merely a distance in which they have traveled or will eventually travel; often they fail to recognize that there can be great meaning beyond each step that is taken. Too often, people become more focused on the destination rather than the process that it takes to get them there. While focusing on destination people neglect to recognize the value of whole process that gets them there. A journey can bring forth exhilaration and excitement as well as agony and anguish. A journey always has a power which affects the lives of people and also changes their beliefs, thoughts and ideals, thus changing them ultimately. Have you ever taken a journey? We have all found ourselves on a journey of some kind or another alone, but what is more important is how we choose to end our journey. The two literary works that I have chosen to compare and contrast are “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty and “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. At first glance the two literary works appear to be about the same thing, but upon deeper reflection we conclude that they are not, as one is written as a short story and the other is written as a poem. The short story speaks of a “path” while the poem speaks of a “road.” The theme that each of these literary works...

Words: 2218 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Week 5 Compare and Contrast

...Contrast Table Select three literary works that you have read in class, and that you think are connected in at least one way through convention or device. Consider the following: theme, genre, literary technique, culture, use of literary devices such as symbolism, and how diction is used to suggest culture, class, ethnicity, historical period, or age. Use the three works you have selected to complete the Literature Compare and Contrast Table. |Literary Work: |#1 |#2 |#3 | |(insert titles) |The Glass Menagerie |Who Will Light The Incense When |Salvation | | | |Mother’s Gone? | | |Author |Tennessee Williams |Andrew Lam |Langston Hughes | |Genre |Play, tragedy. |Story, nonfiction |Story, nonfiction | |Technique |Drama, |Character |Visual settings, | | |Plot, Character, Setting, |Setting |Holds value, | | |Gestures. |Symbolism |Expression...

Words: 567 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Harrison Bergeron Symbolism Essay

...The Meaning Hid Behind the Symbolism Stop signs, company logos, mascots- all these things exemplify symbols in the real world. In a fictional literary work, symbolism can be used by the author to augment the writing with either a subtle or more obvious symbol. Rain as a symbol could represent cleansing or healing, specific flowers have different meanings, almost any fictional work could be analyzed to find symbolism in it. The three short stories “He Hid Behind the Stove,” “The Scarlet Ibis,” and “Harrison Bergeron” all used the literary device of symbolism to augment the story with extra layers of depth, contributing to the overall theme. Firstly, “He Hid Behind the Stove” by Walter Lewis Wilson has the most prominent symbol of the work in...

Words: 670 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Literary Devices In The Lottery

...Amanda Karski Professor Kipple English 1202 CD 2 November 2015 Literary devices in “The Lottery” Literary devices are specific language techniques that are used in a text to make it clearer. Shirley Jackson author of infamous horror story, “The Lottery”, uses five literary devices such as symbolism, allegory, foreshadowing, theme and irony. Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. This literary device is used most often throughout the short story to keep the suspenseful ending a surprise rather than a shock. Three main symbols are used in this story, the title “The Lottery”, the black box, and stones. The reader can look at the “The Lottery” title itself to see it exemplifies symbolism. A lottery typically represents...

Words: 1135 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

The Necklace vs. the Story of an Hour

...The Necklace vs. The Story of an Hour Pamela Richard ENG 125 Lesa Hadley May 11, 2012 The Necklace vs. The Story of an Hour A short story, “The Necklace” (“La parure”) written by Guy de Maupassant in 1884 and a poem, ‘The Story of an Hour” written by Kate Chopin in 1894 are literary works that are very comparable yet are different. The two women, Madame Mathilde Loisel and Louise Mallard, portrayed in these literary works are protagonists who have trouble because of conflicting expectations imposed on them by society. Both Mathilde Loisel and Louise Mallard want something more than what their lifestyle offers them. During the time when the authors wrote these pieces, the social behaviors showed gender suppression/oppression. This essay will compare and contrast elements of content, form, and style between two different literary works. Both authors chose the theme of gender roles in marriage. During the time when the authors wrote theses pieces, the social behaviors showed gender suppression/oppression. The nineteenth century was impacted by the industrial revolution which caused a gap in gender roles, especially in the upper and middle classes (Radek, 2001). Men and women were thought to have completely different natures. Men were considered to be powerful, brave, rational and independent. Women were considered weak, timid, emotional, and dependent. Those differences separated their functions in society. "Men were thought to have natures suited to the public...

Words: 3460 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Deat and Transfiguration

...obfuscate. Just serve it up gently. An upset writer isn’t going to hear your points anyway. But an encouraged one will. Trust me on this. — Julie Gray PRINTER FRIENDLY PAGE  Literary analysis looks critically at a work of fiction in order to understand how the parts contribute to the whole. When analyzing a novel or short story, you’ll need to consider elements such as the context, setting, characters, plot, literary devices, and themes. Remember that a literary analysis isn’t merely a summary or review, but rather an interpretation of the work and an argument about it based on the text. Depending on your assignment, you might argue about the work’s meaning or why it causes certain reader reactions. This handout will help you analyze a short story or novel—use it to form a thesis, or argument, for your essay. Summary Begin by summarizing the basic plot: “Matilda by Roald Dahl is about a gifted little girl in small town America who learns to make things move with her mind and saves her teacher and school from the evil principal.” This will help ground you in the story. (When you write your paper, you probably won’t include a summary because your readers will already be familiar with the work. But if they aren’t, use a brief summary to orient them.) Context Research the author’s background and other work. This can give insight into the author’s perspective and bias, as well as tell the reader what he might be commenting on. For example, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Ringsis about...

Words: 1862 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Eng125 Symbolism of the Journey Paths and Roads

...Symbolism of the Journey Paths and Roads Student Name ENG125 Instructor Name Date “A Worn Path and “The Road Not Taken” are literary works that take us on a literary journey exploring choices and obstacles the protagonists encounter adding dimension to the stories. The authors of “A Worn Path” and “The Road Not Taken” use different point of views to narrate their stories. Point of view is the way the author allows you to "see" and "hear" what's going on. Skillful authors can fix their readers' attention on exactly the detail, opinion, or emotion the author wants to emphasize by manipulating the point of view of the story” (Woods, 2010). Both stories use symbolism to show the hardship of life the characters endure along their journey and that how life can change along the way. The readers’ perceptions about the events are changed by the symbolism surrounding the characters and the conflicts that are presented. When it comes to literary works there’s always a deeper implication hidden behind the piece, and it’s up to the reader to dig around to find it. Both forms share a similar theme with different point of views along with several literary devices. Both of these literary pieces focus on one particular theme that is “Life’s Journey”.  A theme of a story should give the reader its point of view and a reader should be able to understand the theme from the story through the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. Both show how the decisions we make...

Words: 2523 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Pursuit of Happiness

...thích từng phần cho mn xem để dễ hiểu nhé. Tuy nhiên tại có 1 số cái trong sách ko có giải thích cụ thể nên tôi tìm thêm trên mạng nếu mọi người thấy cần bổ sung hay cắt bớt gì thì cứ cmt nhé :D 7 tiêu chí gồm: - Plot - Character (Character với Plot tui cho luôn vào Overview nhé ko sợ mn lại thắc mắc sao ko đủ 7 mục) - Setting - Point of view - Style- Tone- Language - Themes - Symbolism Còn đây dàn ý. Tôi hỏi cô thì cô bảo lúc nào cũng phải có Overview ở đầu cho những bạn chưa đọc truyện cũng hiểu đc. 1. Overview: - Mình sẽ phải nói qua về summary của truyện (1 cách ngắn gọn, súc tích và dễ hiểu nhất có thể – cái này tôi thấy cô bảo thế) - The author + Plot + Character - Thông điệp mà tác giả muốn gửi đến 1.1. The author: Life + Famous stories của ông ý 1.2. Plot: - Chronological order: + Start from the beginning period of time till the end + not to make ending surprising + or events move back and forward for the final startling moment - Internal setting + Time and place of the story ( cái này khác với cái External setting là về author + time & place the work was written + 1 số tác nhân ngoại cảnh kiểu political factors, historical events,...) - Rising action: The rising action of a plot is the series of events that build up and create tension and suspense - Climax: problem / tension / suspense / conflict / denouement – “untying the knot” - Resolution: the part of the story's plot line in which the problem of the story is resolved...

Words: 1095 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Story of an Hour

...“The Story of an Hour” Brian Williams English 125 Melissa Eidson April 8, 2013 “The Story of an Hour” I have chosen to describe the theme for “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin in 1894. Theme in fiction is associated with something abstract, something broad. The theme in a story is associated with an idea that lies behind the story. I will give great insight on identifying two of the literary elements in the short story that contribute to the theme. The point of view and symbolism will be the two literary elements, I will provide with examples. Explaining how the selected literary elements affect the narrative theme will be a vital point to this literary work. The theme of Chopin’s piece is essentially a longing for more freedom for women. Chopin reflects her rejection of the “postures of femininity” through her character’s descriptions. She describes her as young with a fair calm face whose lines bespoke repression. Men in the 19th century looked for young and calm attributes in a wife. They wanted a submissive woman to tend to their needs as Chopin’s description suggests. Chopin says that Mrs. Mallard would live for herself. Mallard believes she will be free of marriage, and won’t be repressed as aforementioned any longer by her husband. Chopin displays her character as having a joyous moment after the death of her husband because she is let go being forced into her femininity. Chopin displays a need for more independent women in this piece, suggesting that wronged...

Words: 865 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Business and Management

... |Syllabus | | |College of Humanities | | |ENG/125 Version 3 | | |Literature in Society | Copyright © 2010, 2008, 2006 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course introduces themes in literature and provides guided study and practice in reflecting on themes which describe the human experience across cultural and societal boundaries. The course includes readings from literature in different genres and cultures. Students study the literature in thematic units and are asked to make connections to their own lives and cultures. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each...

Words: 2590 - Pages: 11