Introduction
(AGG) Many authors use symbolism to show the development of a character, like the author of Under The Persimmon Tree does. (BS-1) In the beginning of the novel, Najmah changes from a childlike girl to an adult-like woman and the author uses the bukri, or baby goat, to symbolize this change. (BS-2) When Mada-Jan and Habib die, Shaheed is born and Golestan Najmah dies and the author uses Najmah’s first haircut to give a deeper meaning to this change. (BS-3) After Najmah meets Nusrat, she develops into another version of herself and the author uses another haircut to add another level beneath this literal change. (TS) The author uses symbolism to show Najmah’s development throughout the novel.
(MIP-1) Najmah goes from an innocent child in the family to an adult in the family and the author uses the bukri to show this change. (SIP-A) The author shows that Najmah grows up to be an adult after her father and brother were taken away. (STEWE-1) After Najmah’s brother and father are taken away, her mother goes into depression and just silently sits. This is like a role reversal between Najmah and her mother. Before, Najmah used to need to be told to do the work because she was much like a child. Now, it is the other way around. Najmah knows she has to have the maturity of an adult in order to survive, so she does. This is why she tells her mother, “‘You may choose not to live, but the baby and I need you. And the flock needs food. I don't want to die”’(38). Right after
Symbolism is a clever device used by authors to impart a deeper understanding to the reader concerning the story. “The Scarlet Ibis” is about a newborn baby named Doodle and his struggle through his limited life being “different”. After Doodle’s accomplishment of walking, his older brother strived to make him “normal enough” to go to school. In the end, Doodle did not complete his training and brutally died in a storm. “I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain” (Hurst 198). James Hurst used the scarlet ibis to tie the story together. In many stories, such as “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, authors use foreshadowing through object symbolism to convey what is happening to the characters.
In Chapter 12 from HTRLLP, the author describes in detail the usage of symbolism in different types of literature. Developing the information happens
(AGG) In this story, Najmah will encounter many people who help her along the way.(BS-1) When Najmah first encounters the Taliban, it matures her outlook on different types of situations.(BS-2) Akhtar and Khalida help Najmah regain her strength after the loss of the majority of her family.(BS-3) Nusrat helps Najmah see that she can trust people.(TS) In Under the Persimmon Tree Najmah encounters many people to help her become a stronger and more independent girl. (MIP-1) when Najmah first encounters the Taliban, it mature’s her outlook on different situations. (SIP-A) Before the Taliban came to take away Bada-jan and Nur, Najmah used to be free, and do whatever she likes. She used to never have to worry about adult situations. (STEWE-1)Before
Symbolism is used to signify ideas and qualities about an object or idea and is used when the author wants to give those objects or ideas meanings different from their literal sense. Symbols are often used in literature to bring a deeper meaning to a story or work. These meanings can emphasize or intensify feelings of anything from love and hope, to danger and sadness. James Hurst uses symbolism in his work, “The Scarlet Ibis”, to convey and emphasize some of these feelings and ideas in his story. “The Scarlet Ibis” centers around the lives of Brother, a very driven and determined child, and his younger brother, Doodle, an innocent and naive individual with a heart condition that causes doctors to believe that he
(AGG) Losing a loved one is an immeasurable pain that many experience throughout their life, but from the darkness, something beautiful always emerges with more strength than ever before. (BS-1) The death of Nusrat’s sister, Margaret, caused a variety of different changes in her life. (BS-2) The loss of Margaret led Nusrat to discover a new way of life and find her true love, Faiz. (BS-3) Faiz’s passing causes Nusrat’s void to reopen, but is disclosed after an important realization. (TS) In Under the Persimmon Tree, one strong message is that people are shaped by those who they lose in their lives.
Najmah’s brother, Nur, reveals Najmah’s childish character “‘I saw a leopard's pug marks in the dust here last night,’ Nur says...But I really am convinced a large animal with long, pointed teeth is waiting to pounce on me. I am terribly afraid of leopards, although I have never seen one in my life”(5, 6). In other words, this quote asserts that Najmah is gullible and becomes alarmed by things that she has never seen before. This testifies that Najmah was tremendously fearful of her misconceptions and therefore immature. In addition, when Najmah’s brother and father were abducted by the Taliban, Najmah’s thoughts portrayed her character in a time of conflict. According to an excerpt: “I began to feel hopeless. I can’t imagine surviving without Baba-jan and Nur to look after the animals and tend the fields”(37). This quote evinces that Najmah is oblivious and naive because she feels hopeless because of the absence of her father and brother. She habitually doesn’t have to take responsibility, ergo, she is unable to lead her family when in a conflict.
(MIP-2) Secondly, Najmah’s mindset is adjusted once she knows what her goal is, which was ultimately shaped due to the loss of her father and brother. (SIP-A) Najmah starts to regain her focus and sets a goal for herself due to her need of reuniting with
Authors utilize many different literary devices when writing a novel. Harper Lee is especially fond of symbolism. Symbolism is used many times through the novel. The tree symbolized Boo’s connection to the community .In the beginning of the story Boo Radly was seen as a bad guy through the end he became a symbol of good. The title To Kill a Mockingbird is symbolic in the book because mockingbirds usually mean innocence.Thus, to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence.
For example, in the Great Gatsby, George and Mrytle live in a place called the Valley of Ashes which symbolizes that their marriage is dead which allows Gatsby to try and steal Mrytle away from George. Another use of symbolism in The Great Gatsby is associating the color white with Daisy throughout the book to show that she is pure and perfect in the mind of Gatsby which is caused by his blindness to see that she has parasitic tendencies.. The Jelly-Bean uses symbolism in a similar way by making Nancy represent false happiness in Jim's heart which eventually lead to him being heartbroken because he was blinded by the idea of how perfect he thought she was similar to Gatsby. When the two females are symbolized it helps further the theme by creating the concept of that they aren't just characters in a story but also lessons to be learned and retained after the story is over. Overall the use of symbolism sets up the possibility for the reader to further understand a certain characters impact on another either emotionally or
Evidently, symbolisms plays an important role in any novel. Symbolism makes a connection between two idea and reoccurs throughout a story. In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the pomegranate tree Amir and Hassan visit as an important symbolic figure. Literally, a tree grows, blossoms, and eventually may die off. With the case of Amir and Hassan’s friendship, it does similar things as well. The mention of the pomegranate tree throughout the novel connects to the friendship of Amir and Hassan.
(AGG) “The darkest nights produce the brightest stars” (Green). Some people use the light of the stars to find guidance in their lives. (BS-1) In the book “Under the Persimmon Tree”, Najmah, the main character, views the stars by the way her family has influenced her to think of them. (BS-2) Throughout the story, Najmah loses a lot of hope during her journey, and stars reflect this by their invisibility. (BS-3) Stars represent hope and this helps Najmah get through rough times. (TS) Suzanne Fisher Staples uses symbolism throughout the book “Under the Persimmon Tree” to make the reader understand the internal conflicts Najmah faces.
Symbolism is a literary technique that is used to clarify the author's intent. Sometimes it is used to great effect, while other times it only seems to muddle the meaning of a passage. In "Young Goodman Brown," Nathaniel Hawthorne uses objects and people as symbols to allegorically reveal his message to the reader.
Symbolism in literature is used to give an entirely different meaning which is more significant and much deeper to a story using objects representing other objects and giving them a sense that is different from their literal meaning. The meaning of the symbols used to depend on the reader, and there is no universal meaning for symbols used because their purpose is inherent in the symbol itself. In both stories, the authors use symbols to give different meanings to their story.
Symbolism is a major literary device that helps people see a book through symbols that often have a deeper meaning. A symbol is used to explain something in a different way, using images, objects, etc. instead of just saying it in words. As you search for a deeper meaning in a work of art or literature it can help you understand the authors intentions and the deeper significance of a work. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, symbols help reinforce the major themes of the book.
Symbolism in literature is using an object to portray a different, deeper meaning in a story. Symbols represent ideas or qualities that the author has maneuvered into his or her story that has meaning. There can be multiple symbols in a story or just one. It is up to the reader to interpret the meaning of the symbols and their significance to the story. While reading a story, symbols may not become clear until the very end, once the climax is over, and the falling action is covered. In William Faulkner’s, “A Rose for Emily,” there are multiple examples of symbolism that occur throughout the story.