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Symbolism In Under The Persimmon Tree

Decent Essays

(AGG) Symbolism is a huge part of our world in everyday life, the stars have been used in literature and storytelling to convey meaning and feelings, “Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night” (Sarah). (BS-1) In the book Under the Persimmon Tree, Suzanne Fisher Staples establishes Najmah’s association with family and home, with the stars. (BS-2) The author then manipulates the personal connection Najmah has to the stars, to foreshadow an event in Najmah’s life, exploding and destroying the things she loves. (BS-3) Similarly, later in the story, the stars mirror Najmah’s emotional changes, as her hope fluctuates. (TS) Clearly, Suzanne Fisher Staples in the story Under The Persimmon Tree uses symbolism to get across a deeper meaning involving stars.

(MIP-1) Throughout the story, the stars have a meaning to Najmah on the surface. (SIP-A) Wisdom about the stars are passed down from her father to Najmah throughout her life, giving them a memorable meaning. (STEWE-1) Najmah’s name has the literal meaning of star. Najmah explains, “Baba-Jan loves the stars so much that he named me Najmah, which means ’Star’” (Staples 11). Her father gave her this name, therefore on the surface, stars are a connection that Najmah has in relation to family. When Najmah sees the stars, they give her comfort. She knows that they are a constant. They will always be there and will always be associated with her father, due to the fact that Najmah and her father have so much history and memories formed by the stars. (STEWE-2) Baba-jan has taught Najmah how to use the stars for guidance. Baba-jan promises, “As long as you know the stars,you will never be lost,” (Staples 10). This quote can be interpreted in different ways. The literal meaning of the stars in this particular sentence is being, a sense of direction in case Najmah gets lost. They are also a reminder that she can always find her way back home. In addition to this, they have a deeper symbolic meaning using the fact that Najmah’s name means star. When the author has Baba-jan telling Najmah to be sure to know the stars so she will never be lost, it is being implied by the author to the reader

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