Symbolism In American Novels Essay, Research Paper

Symbolism In American Novels

When looked up in the dictionary, it states that symbolism is the art of relating something concrete that represents or suggests another thing that cannot in it self be represented or visualized. Authors use symbolism as a way of inserting special hidden message that would otherwise not be known. Different authors use symbolism in different way s from animals and nature in the story (Steinbeck), colors (Fitzgerald) or more of a radical symbolism used to describe racism (Lee).

In The Grapes of Wrath a novel by John Steinbeck uses symbolism to give the reader more information without actually writing it. There are several uses of symbols in the novel from the turtle at the beginning to the rain at the end. As each symbol is presented through the novel they show examples of the good and the bad things that exist within the novel.

The opening chapter paints a vivid picture of the situation facing the drought-stricken farmers of Oklahoma. Dust is described a covering everything, smothering the life out of anything that wants to

grow. The dust is symbolic of the erosion of the lives of the people. The dust is synonymous with “deadness”. The land is a ruined way of life; the farming is gone, people uprooted and forced to leave. Secondly, the dust stands for profiteering banks in the background that squeeze the life out of the land by forcing the people off the land. The soil, the people (farmers) have been drained of life and are exploited:

The last rain fell on the red and gray country of Oklahoma in early May. The weeds became a dark green to protect themselves from the sun’s unyielding rays…. The wind grew stronger, uprooting the weakened corn, and the air became so filled with dust that the stars were not visible at night (Steinbeck 2).

As the chapter continues a turtle, which appears and reappears several times early in the novel, can be seen to stand for survival, a driving life force in all of mankind that cannot be beaten by nature

or man. The turtle represents a hope that the trip to the west is survivable by the farmer migrants (Joad family). The turtle further represents the migrants struggles against nature/man by overcoming every obstacle he encounters: the red ant in his path, the truck driver who tries to run over him, being captured in Tom Joad’s jacket: And now a light truck approached, and as it came near, the driver saw the turtle and swerved to hit it (7). The driver of the truck works for a large company, who try to stop the migrants from going west, when the driver attempts to hit the turtle it is another example of the big powerful guy trying to flatten or kill the little guy. Everything the turtle encounters trys its best to stop the turtle from making its

westerly journey. Steadily the turtle advances on, ironically to the southwest, the direction of the migration of people. The turtle is described as being lasting, ancient, old and wise: horny head,

yellowed toenails, indestructible high dome of a shell, humorous old eyes ( 7 ). The driver of the truck, red ant and Tom Joad’s jacket are all symbolic of nature and man that try to stop the turtle from continuing his journey westward to the promise land. The turtle helps to develop the theme by showing its struggle against life/ comparing it with the Joad struggle against man.

The grapes seem to symbolize both bitterness and copiousness. Grandpa, the oldest member of the Joad family, talks of the grapes as symbols of plenty; all his descriptions of what he is going to do with

the grapes in California suggest contentment, freedom, and the goal for which the Joad family strive for: I’m gonna let the juice run down ma face, bath in the dammed grapes (90). The grapes that are talked

about by Grandpa help to elaborate the theme by showing that no matter how nice everything seems in California the truth is that their beauty is only skin deep, in their souls they are rotten. The rotten core

verses the beautiful appearance.

The willow tree that is located on the Joad’s farm represents the Joad family. The willow is described as being unmovable and never bending to the wind or dust. The Joad family does not want to move, they prefer to stay on the land they grew up on, much the same as the willow does. The willow contributes to the theme by showing the unwillingness of the people to be removed from their land by the banks. The latter represents the force making them leave their homes. Both of these symbols help contribute to the theme by showing a struggle between each other. The tree struggles against nature in much the same way that the Joad family struggles against the Bank and large companies.

The rains that come at the end of the novel symbolize several things. The Rain, which is excessive, in a certain way, fulfills a cycle of the dust, which is also excessive. In a way nature has restored a balance and has initiated a new growth cycle. This ties in with other examples of the rebirth idea in the ending, much in the way the Joad family will grow again. The rain contributes to the theme by showing the cycle of nature that give a conclusion to the novel by showing that life is a pattern of birth and death. The rain is another example of nature against man, the rain comes and floods the living quarters of the Joads. The Joads try to stop the flood of their home they are yet again are forced back when nature drops a tree causing a flood of water to ruin their home forcing them to move. In opposite way rain can be helpful to give life to plants that need it to live. Depending on which extreme the rain is in, it can be harmful or helpful. This is true for man, man can become both extremes bad or good depending on his choosing.

Throughout the novel there are several symbols used to develop the theme man verses a hostile environment. Each symbol used in the novel show examples of both extremes. Some represent man, that

struggles against the environment, others paint a clear picture of the feelings of the migrants. As each symbol is presented chronologically through the novel, they come together at the end to paint a clear

picture of the conditions, treatment and feelings the people (migrants) as they make their journey through the novel to the West.

The novel The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald is rich in symbolism on all levels. The concept of symbolism is used in such a way as to blend in with the story and occur naturally. Through the use of symbolism, Fitzgerald is able to provide the reader with adequate information as to the personality traits of characters, social standings, place of residency, and their views on the existence of God.

Through the use of color symbolism, F. Scott Fitzgerald is able to portray the class and mood of not only the people, but also their residency.

A daisy most commonly consists of white petals, adjoined by a yellow center . Nick’s first impression of Daisy is enhanced by the use of the color white to portray her innocence and purity. In comparison to the flower: the yellow center resembles the sun (Fitzgerald 5). This suggests a brilliance or beauty about Daisy. Their spacious home is described as having shades of red, white, and cream, and overlooking the bay. This portrays them as a member of an elite upper class. Snobbishly commenting on his house, Tom states, “I’ve got a nice place here (5). In the beginning of the novel, the green light on Daisy’s dock seen by Gatsby symbolized promise, hope, and renewal. But by the end of the novel, the wealth accumulated by Gatsby for the hope of reaching Daisy turns sour and this mutates that very same object into just a burning light at the end a dock (20). The color yellow is also used to show cowardliness and as a sign of unhappiness among the people living on the island.

The island of residence, just like the mainland is split up into two sections, the east and the west. The East Egg is a socially prominent and exclusive residential area. Eastern America, better known as the “seashore” was also a place where only the rich and established families resided. The people of East Egg are “old money”, which means that their wealth has been handed down by previous generations. Although having many of the finest mansions New York has to offer, East Egg is also filled with a materialistic and “carefree” attitude. Their modern society advocates the status quo while their neighbors, the West Egg represents constant changing. The West Egg is a wealthy neighborhood filled with self-made millionaires. Just like Western America, this society has strong values in relation to idealism and romanticism. This area of settlement represents the location of the elite social outcasts. In the mainland, the social outcasts most always headed West. The only strip of land that connects these two so very different social standings is one of very poor social standing itself, known to everyone as the “valley of ashes (46). The “valley of ashes” in its own also symbolizes the morality that is lost while traveling from the West Egg to the East Egg. Overlooking the valley of ashes sits a rather large billboard with the sightless eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleberg. George Wilson, Myrtle’s Husband, identifies the eyes to that of God. As stated in the Bible: “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (Samuel) yet, nothing is done when “God’s” eyes see all the immorality and garbage during the “ballyhoo” years. After the death of Myrtle, George realizes that these eyes in fact symbolize the notion that God is dead (Fitzgerald 237). This is not only due to Myrtle’s death, but also by the same eyes witnessing the troubled ’20’s, as well as seeing the affair between Tom and Myrtle.

Throughout the history of literature, symbolism has been used by many to convey a different image then what they are actually talking about. Seldom does one find in a novel, so many different uses of symbolism on so many different levels. F. Scott Fitzgerald brilliantly communicates to the reader what he wants them to get out of the book. The Great Gatsby is just one of many great examples how concrete objects are used to convey another subject that, when looking upon without the analytical mind, would seem totally unrelated.

Harper Lee uses symbolism rather extensively throughout To Kill A Mocking Bird and much of it refers to the problems of racism in the South during the early twentieth century. Harper Lee’s effective use of racial symbolism can be seen by studying various examples from the book. This includes the actions of the children, the racist whites, and the actions of Atticus Finch.

The actions of the children in this novel certainly do have their share of symbolism. For instance, the building of a snowman by Jem and Scout one winter is very symbolic. There was not enough snow to make a snowman entirely out of snow, so Jem made a foundation out of dirt, and then covered it with what snow they had. One could interpret this in two different ways. First of all, the creation of the snowman by Jem can be seen as being symbolic of Jem trying to cover up the black man and showing that he is the same as the white man, that all human beings are virtually the same. Approval of these views is shown by Atticus when he tells Jem: “I didn’t know how you were going to do it, but from now on I’ll never worry about what’ll become of you, son, you’ll always have an idea (Lee 67). The fire that night that engulfed Miss Maudie Atkinson’s house can be seen as the prejudice of Maycomb County, as the fire melted the snow from the snowman, and left nothing but a clump of mud. The fire depicts the prejudice people of the county saying that blacks and whites are, certainly, not the same. Another way of looking at the symbolism of the snowman would be to say that Jem’s combination of mud and snow signifies miscegenation, marriage or sexual relations between persons of different races. The fire at Miss Maudie Atkinson’s could, once again, be seen as the prejudice of Maycomb County showing that the mixed child is, in fact, no better than a pure black child, and that the two are, actually, one and the same.

Jem and Scout’s encounters with Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose are also filled with symbolism. Mrs. Dubose and her insults, which included: “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for (102)! not only show us her own views, but they also represent the views of the rest of Maycomb County. As they were going by the house later that day Jem snatched Scout’s baton and: “ran flailing wildly up the steps into Mrs. Dubose’s front yard…He did not begin to calm down until he had cut the tops off every camellia bush Mrs. Dubose owned (102-103). Since camellia flowers are white, their destruction could exemplify Jem trying to destroy the ways of the prejudice white people of Maycomb County. Later, Atticus forces Jem to nurse the plants back to health, and read to Mrs. Dubose. Now, Jem’s nursing of the flowers signify his courage, and how he nurses his courage, so he will be able to tolerate what others say about him and his family. The children visiting and reading to Mrs. Dubose is symbolic of their aims to change the racist ways of Maycomb. The actions of the children do, indeed, symbolize various themes in the racist South.

The behavior of the prejudice white people of Maycomb County is greatly expressive, as well. For example, the red geraniums that Mayella Ewell kept in her yard are very illustrative. These flowers represent: “Southern white womanhood (127). The fence that surrounds the Ewells property is symbolic of the fear and racism of the Southern whites that tries to protect this womanhood. The purity of the womanhood is being protected from miscegenation, from the black man. As the black quarters lie just beyond the Ewell’s house, the entire scene (the flowers, the fence, and the quarters) represents the fear of miscegenation, the threat from the black man is ever present, and very near. In fact, a sort of miscegenation does occur, as Mayella Ewell makes advances toward Tom Robinson. Her advances startle Bob Ewell and bring about his greatest fear, as he is willing to end an innocent man’s life because of it. There is also much racist symbolism used in the court case of Tom Robinson. Bob Ewell Stands up and exclaims: “I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella (173)! This obscene language, specifically the use of “ruttin’”, makes Tom Robinson and black men seem like animals, giving black men a bestial, non-human quality. Mr. Gilmer, the prosecutor, adds to this racist symbolism as he cross-examines the witness, Tom Robinson. Mr. Gilmer gives Tom Robinson no respect during his cross-examination. He continually calls Tom “boy,” which is racist when referring to a black man. He also adds to the non-human, bestial representation of Tom Robinson by referring to him as a “big buck.”

Racist symbolism is mixed with bitter irony during one of Aunt Alexandra’s missionary circle meetings, as Mrs. Grace Merriweather talks about the Mrunas in Africa. She tells about how they live in “poverty and darkness,” with no one but J. Grimes Everett to help them. The Mrunas in Africa actually represent how the blacks live poorly in their quarters in Maycomb. The bitter irony is that the ladies feel sorry for, and are so willing to help the Mrunas, that they overlook the problem at home, and even criticize their own black cooks and servants. After the Tom Robinson trial is over, Aunt Alexandra tells Atticus that he shouldn’t have let the children watch the trial, and Atticus retorts: “they might as well learn to cope with it…It’s as much Maycomb County as missionary teas (212). Atticus symbolically refers to the missionary teas as being just as racist as the trial. Racism does appear in the Everyday lives of the narrow-minded people of Maycomb County.

The actions of Atticus Finch are also symbolic of themes in the prejudice South. It may not seem so at first, but the shooting of the rabid dog by Atticus was, indeed, greatly illustrative. Here the rabid dog, Tim Johnson, represents prejudice, and how, like a rabid dog, it spreads its disease throughout the South. Atticus Finch is seen as the hero, the avenger, as he kills racism and prejudice, not allowing it to spread itself any further. Realistically, Atticus was unable to dig out the deeply rooted prejudice of Maycomb County. Scout says the trial: “was like watching Atticus walk into the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but watching all the time knowing that the gun was empty (223). Throughout the novel, Atticus Finch personifies justice, and acts rationally as the voice of reason.

Finally, we are back to the title of the story, To Kill A Mockingbird, as Atticus says: “I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird (90). Bluejays are viewed as the bullies of the bird world. They are very loud, territorial, and aggressive. The bluejays represent the prejudice “bullies” of Maycomb County, such as, Bob Ewell. Mockingbirds are innocent, and all they do is sing beautiful songs. They would not harm anyone. Killing a mockingbird was the only thing Atticus had ever told his children was a sin. He also told them, later in the novel, that: “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it -whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash (217). What Atticus tells the children is similar to what he said about killing mockingbirds. Therefore, the mockingbird symbolizes Tom Robinson, and underprivileged black people in general. They are innocent, and would never harm anyone. The mockingbird also symbolizes Boo Radley, since he is innocent, and would never harm anyone. He just stays inside because he does not want to face the corrupt and prejudice world outside. Atticus does, indeed, represent a hero in this novel. He is rational and impartial, in a world that is senseless, emotional, and prejudice.

Symbolism is, indeed, used extensively by Harper Lee in her timeless classic, To Kill A Mockingbird. The symbolism reveals the prejudice and narrow-mindedness of the common citizens of Maycomb County, the fears they have, and all of the moral things they do. It also reveals an attempt to rid Maycomb of these feelings, by a hero figure, a model to the community – Atticus Finch, as well as his two children, who will surely follow in his footsteps. It is, in fact, symbolism that makes this novel so rich and pertinent. To Kill A Mockingbird was an influential novel at the time it was written. However, it remains just as important, influential, and, certainly, as symbolic today as when it was first written.

Symbolism is used in all novels especially the great ones and it is up to you how you interpret it.

All three novels listed above are great examples of literature that use numerous occasions in which symbolism takes place and all use different forms of symbolism from nature, color to more hidden ways to describe social problems. Symbolism is one of the things that make reading fun and, it really adds to the affect of a novel if an author knows how to use it, like the authors listed above.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, Francis Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Sribners, 1953

Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mocking Bird. New York: Warner, 1982

Revelation. www.bible.gosple .Revelation14.com, 14:19. 2000

Samuel. www.wels.net/sab/listener, 16:7. 2000

Stienbeck, John. The Grapes Of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 1984