...The poem that I choose to write about is “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver. In this poem she compares the behaviors of wild geese and humans. The poem doesn’t have rhyming words, but it does have a calm tone. The poem starts out saying “You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it is”, these lines show repetition because she uses the word 'You' over and over again. These first few lines grasp the reader’s attention because you will think she is talking directly to you. These lines are telling the readers that they don’t have to ask for forgiveness all the time and they should be love themselves like the wild geese they have no regrets they don’t have a concept of right and wrong. The next lines also show repetitive rhythm using “Meanwhile”, “Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.” In these lines she is saying that the no matter what wrong we have done the world still goes on, it’s not going to stop. These lines have a lot of descriptive words that allows the reader to grasp a picture in their mind. The last line here shows that the geese are returning home and so can you. The last lines of the poem “Whoever you are, no matter how...
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...symbolic journey from the very inception of the work. The use of the word “menagerie” meaning a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition or a strange collection. In this case, the strange collection is the Wingfields. The play and the text presents us with an overbearing mother who clings to yesterday year, a daughter that is mentally bound by her psychological insecurities that stem from her physical disability, and an irresponsible brother who want to escape his this reality he has with his mother and sister. The word “Glass” represents their fragility, individually and as a unit. Frankly the family’s external problems seem fairly miniscule on the grander scale of the issues known to plague any familial unit. They are not rich, but not destitute, they have lost a parent, but they have each other. The play is set in the midst of the great depression following a war, therefore this family portrait was one that would have been mirrored in many American homes; financial turmoil and lost family members was commonplace. However, the psychological torment and idiosyncrasies characteristic of all three of our main characters holds them captive in misery. While a closely-knit family can often be the bridge that carries people over rough times, this family’s toxic interdependence on each other is what ultimately tears them apart. Williams uses very literal symbolism as well as strategic directorial methods throughout the narrative of this play to convey his point. The...
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...In the novella of Mice and Men and the TV show Fargo, the idea of masculinity and its surrounding ideas are played with allot. From the idea of a male partnership to animal symbolism, these texts show similar events happening to similar collections of people, however, these two texts are different in the audience that they are appealing towards. In Steinbeck’s novella, it is very much a piece of its time, being centered around the great depression and a man's struggle to find work in these hard times, very much reflecting on Steinbeck’s own life. Whereas Fargo focuses more on the ideals of the American dream, following a lowly ‘failure’ of a man as his life gets ripped from him. The idea of the traditional Lone Wanderer is portrayed in both...
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...Bailey Belser Professor Ippolito English 112-11F February 3, 2014 In the Eyes of the Other Person Authors will often choose to use elements to help give the audience a better understanding of the message in their story. Elements are what make up the story in its entirety and help the reader create an image in their mind. A great example of a short story that includes such elements is William Carlos Williams’ “The Use of Force.” In this story, elements such as theme, background, symbolism, and image are utilized in a way to communicate the idea that there are two sides to every situation. In this short story, there appears to be an overall theme. William Carlos Williams seems to want to make the audience understand that there are usually two sides to every situation—in this case, for a little girl, a doctor’s visit is frightening and for a doctor, it is just another job. Williams demonstrated just how scared the little girl was throughout the story in many ways. In one instance, the mother reassured the little girl to not be afraid and that the doctor would not hurt her (Williams 80). In another instance, Williams writes, “As I moved my chair a little nearer suddenly with one catlike movement both her hands clawed instinctively for my eyes and she almost reached them too” (81). Williams uses the girl’s actions to further convey his message that she was frightened. It is easy to assume that a grown man having to deal with this would get frustrated. Williams chose to demonstrate...
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...Symbolism, Chaos and Disorder Symbolism is the use of symbols to indicate or represent a concept or idea. Symbols are used in literature to give things a meaning beyond their literal one, and as a way for readers to see further than what is stated in text. This allows them to come to their own conclusions and it contributes to the theme and mood of the text to make it more effective. In Macbeth, nature symbolism is used to reflect the events in society through the weather atmosphere, and animals. Light and darkness imagery is used in correlation with chaos as well; night and darkness being used to cloak evil, and light and dark used to suggest the occurrence of evil events . Sleeplessness, another symbol, is also used to show how the chaos causes the characters in Macbeth to fall apart, from how they caused sleeplessness for themselves to how it drives them to self destruct. In William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, symbols are constantly used to illustrate growing chaos, evil and destruction which suggests that Scotland is on a path to its downfall. First of all, the motif of nature and disruption in the natural world is used to suggest that something unsettling has or will happen. For one, animals are used to illustrate the chaos occurring after Duncan's death. In the scene...
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...Tommy Campbell Fr. Williams Eng 241 26 February 2011 Symbolism Symbolism is a powerful tool used by people every day to force people to look past the obvious and find the deeper meaning. Symbolism is used by authors, musicians, priests, and many others. James Joyce, a well-known Irish author, uses symbolism repeatedly throughout his collection of short stories published in 1916. In these stories, titled Dubliners, Joyce uses symbolism not only to enhance the stories, but to also show the hidden, underlying message of each story without coming out and saying it directly. Joyce’s stories are centered on the problems of Dublin and through his use of symbolism Joyce is able to focus attention on what problem each story is addressing. James Joyce, author of Dubliners, uses symbolism effectively to enhance the stories. The first story in Dubliners deals with the problems of the Catholic Church. “The Sisters” is about a priest, Father Flynn, who goes crazy because of the incredible stress placed on him by the rule-centered church. A note publicly announcing the priest’s death read “July 1st, 1895 The Rev. James Flynn (Formerly of S. Catherine’s Church, Meath Street), aged sixty-five years. R.I.P.” (Joyce 4). Joyce associates Father Flynn with S. Catherine’s Church because St. Catherine was torn apart physically and Father Flynn was torn apart mentally, because of the rules and strict guidelines he was expected to uphold. Making this connection enhances the story because it...
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...like of which no one can equal (lines 11-12). These text describe the walls and how the city Uruk was built by a mighty being like Gilgamesh. This at the end describing the city and certain thing built by Gilgamesh such as the Temples, Gardens, and the league (probably referring to the ocean or body of water). Another passage from I is the 3rd passge from which the people of Uruk prayer to he gods. This passage shows how the people of Uruk don’t enjoy Gelgamesh as a king due to how he treats his people for ex. Gilgamesh does not leave a girl to her mother (?) The Daughters of the warrior, the bride of the young man (line 5-6). Gilgamesh is all powerful so no one can challenge him and he deemed as a bad King as how he treats his people like wild ox. The people get fed up with the treatment and they pray for the gods to make him his match (a zikru). All this so explaned in line 7 of the next passage. (Let them be a match for each other so that Uruk may find peace (line 7 of the 3rd passage). Tablet II This tablet describes the continued evolution of Enkidu character personality from uncivilized to civilized and how he become friends with Gilgamesh but the passages that I believe that expressed great importance in the story would have to be the food and beer which he receives, “eat the food, Enkidu, it is...
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...From the beginning of Lord of the Flies by William Golding, up until the very last punctuation mark, it is, without a doubt, known that this is one of the very best reads you will ever encounter in your lifetime. This wonderfully written piece of work is about a group of British boys whose plane was shot down and the "passenger tube" was released so it could crash land on a jungle. The boys are the first humans to touch this island, and the author describes a "scar" on the island that is represented as the first touch by a human. The author's use of symbolism is apparent and adds to the total "feeling" of the true genius of this book. The main idea in the story is society and the way we as individuals function socially. It is a sort of "guinea pig test" to see how boys would act without adults around, although it is all completely fictional. At the beginning of the story, Ralph pretends to "machine gun" Piggy. This tells the reader of the presence of a war occurring on the world outside this island. After the discovery of the conch, all the boys are assembled on the beach, a leader is picked and the characters are placed before the reader's eyes. We get a good sense that Jack is someone who is a stubborn, spoilt child who is always used to getting his way and will go to extents to get his way. Ralph is that quiet boy who everyone wants to listen to because of his charms and everyone is eager to be his friend. Right away we get a sense of foreshadow that Jack and Ralph...
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...buying these paperback books and reading them cover to cover in two or three days and be scared out of my wits for a few days. I recall at the end of some of these books were teasers about the next story that was due to arrive next. However, at the end of one of the books there was a short story by Edgar Allan Poe titled “The Cask of Amontillado”, I read that story several times and every time I found something new that I Had missed previously. That was the reason I got interested in short stories. My fascination with short stories always have been with a given writers ability to develop main characters, , story plot, and a that in novels might take chapters to develop, in a page or two. The stories are rich in content and packed with symbolisms that requires multiple reading to fully understand. Some of my all-time favorite short stories include, Shirley Jackson’s “The lottery”, Poe’s “tell-tell heart”, and “The Devil in Belfry”. Jack London’s “to build a Fire”, “Wisdom of The Trail”, and “War” My first real novel that I read was Animal...
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...The “Cask of Amontillado” is a gothic tale of revenge and horror, the true genius of which lies in Poe’s abundant use of symbolism and irony. * Symbolism in "The Cask of Amontillado" Fortunato's Outfit: Fortunato's carnival garb is described as follows: "The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells." In short, Fortunato is dressed as a fool, a symbolic representation of what he is. The Setting: The "supreme madness of carnival season" represents the supreme madness of the narrator's mind. It is the backdrop of carnival season that lends the story its fantastic nature, a nature trumped only by the madness of Montresor's revenge. The Cask of Amontillado: The word cask, a sturdy cylindrical container for storing liquids, and the word casket have the same root. The Amontillado represents two causes of Fortunato's demise: (1) Fortunato is extremely drunk, more than likely drunk on wine. It is probable that his venturing into the catacombs has little to do with his desire to serve Montresor. Fortunato understands that the trip will produce one of two results--free Amontillado or Montresor's humiliation; (2) Fortunato's passion for good wine leaves him susceptible to flattery, flattery which Montresor provides. Montresor: In French, mon tresor means my treasure. The treasure the narrator possesses is the knowledge of the perfect revenge. The Montresor Family Motto, "Nemo me impune lacessit": Fortunato...
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...How would you survive an island full of rambunctious boys? Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding is an allegorical novella that uses allusions, symbolism, and irony to convey the idea that evil is within us. The story takes place during World War II, when a group of schoolboys are being evacuated from England. They crash on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and have to fight for their lives in a new and strange environment. Two of the boys, Ralph and Piggy, find a conch and use it to gather the other children in an attempt to form order. The elect Ralph as the leader and they work together as a civilization, at least at first. Unfortunately, some of the elected hunters would rather have fun, hunt, and play savage. This leads to a feud between the boys. Eventually, Jack, the leader of the hunters convinces the majority of the boys that fun...
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...You can read a page of this novel and write an entire essay the way Lee has it set up. One I picked up on was how the children never called Atticus father (unless sometimes speaking to someone else, or referring to a past tense incident). The reason, many speculated because of Atticus poor parenting, never teach his children to call him Mr. Finch, father, or sir (although Jem does in later years). Another reason Atticus might allow his children to call him that, is that he seems them as equal, and does not own them in such way. Playing the part of his character having high morals and reason, allow this to fit his character. Many people know this book for the trial, and although that is the main even happening in part two, it is not only thing happening. The racism part of the novel shows everywhere and not just at the trial. From Calpurnia, to where they live (the shacks), even to how others talk about them. The reason why this book is banned is the use of the N-word, appearing constantly throughout the novel (so much that if written today it would not be allowed published). Another is the sexism as Jean struggles to fulfil her...
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...story of an elderly woman’s rough journey. The stories themes are elicited from the symbolism of the journey as well as the encounters that this elderly women Phoenix Jackson faces. The central idea/theme of this story is that love can empower someone to over come many life-threatening obstacles. Phoenix conquers all odds to show her devoted love for her grandson; issues of race, age, and education often are shown throughout the story as well which highly influences the difficulties that Phoenix faces. An African-American woman named Phoenix Jackson lived in the 1930s during the depression. Jackson has to go through discrimination and humiliation all for the love of her grandson. All of the encounters that Phoenix Jackson faces on her journey known as the “worn path” are all examples of the how the white people treated the blacks in this era. A white hunter helps Phoenix out of a ditch after she tripped and fell in it. He says, “I know you old colored people! Wouldn’t miss going to town to see Santa Clause!” (273). He is referring to Phoenix as a colored person. Then he also taunts her and points a loaded gun at her. “Doesn’t the gun scare you?” (273). She explains that she is not scared of the gun and then he says that she must be 100 years old because nothing scares her. “Whites would often call older blacks “aunt,” “granny,” and “uncle” to as a way of denying them their dignity” (Herman). He calls her “Granny” with almost everything that he says to her, which is a term common...
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...Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is usually seen as either the story of a young girl coming into her own or the story of a young girl falling in love with a corrupted soul. The entire story is intertwined with symbolism and other imagery, tying details of Jane’s life together. One cannot adequately assess the masculine presence in Jane’s life without considering the feminine influences. Upon each new location Jane is brought to, she comes in contact with a new female influence, from her Aunt Reed and Helen Burns to Bertha Mason and Mother Nature herself; these influences are often symbolic in nature and demonstrate that, underneath the wild love affair with an unknowingly married man, the story of Jane Eyre is not only a coming-of-age story, but...
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...decay of the house or the role of Roderick Usher (cf. Magistrale 66). That is the reason why I have chosen this short story of Edgar Allan Poe. I was amongst other things fascinated by the complex composition and the impossibility of understanding the story with the first reading. I will analyze Poe's tale with regard to comparing the degeneration of the house to the degeneration of one of the main characters, Roderick Usher. At first I will sum up how the mansion and Roderick Usher are characterized, thereupon I will analyze how you can regain the description of the mansion in the description of Roderick Usher and why they have to collapse together in the end and explain it amongst others with the help of Poe's 'theory of totality' and symbolism. The Outside: Description of the House of Usher The description of the House of Usher can be divided into two parts. In the first one it is said that the mansion in which Roderick Usher is living together with his sister Lady Madeline lays in a grim and plain neighborhood. The narrator, who is an old childhood friend of Roderick Usher and sees and describes the scenery, tells the reader of a strong dark feeling which overcomes him, when he sees the House of Usher for the first time after a long ride during a dark autumn day. The mansion has dreary walls, vacant eye-like windows, only a few withered plants around it and a dark tarn in front of it, in which the narrator can see the mirror image of the mansion. This second look causes...
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