The setting can be seen as a symbol. The old plantation houses and the seedy locations represent the decay of the old South. For example, the decrepit buildings are like the crumbling values of the society.
Characters can also be symbolic. Temple Drake is a symbol of the vulnerability of women in a male - dominated society. Her experiences symbolize the exploitation and lack of protection that women faced. The criminals in the story symbolize the chaos and lawlessness that exists beneath the surface of the so - called civilized society.
Objects in the novel can have symbolic meaning. The gin mill, for instance, is a place of vice and corruption. It symbolizes the seedy underbelly of the town. The clothes that Temple Drake wears at different times can symbolize her changing state of mind and her loss of innocence as she goes from wearing innocent - looking clothes to more provocative ones as she is corrupted by her experiences.
The rose in the title is a symbol. It can represent love or perhaps a token of respect for Emily. However, it's also something that is not actually given during her life, suggesting the lack of real love or positive regard she received.
The rose in the title can be seen as a symbol of love or respect that was never fully given to Emily during her life. It also represents the beauty and delicacy that was missing from her harsh existence.
The barns themselves are a major symbol in the story. They represent the wealth, power, and stability of the landowners. When Abner burns them, it is not just an act of destruction but also a symbolic attack on the established order.
Sandra Cisneros uses symbolism in multiple ways. The number eleven is not just an age but a marker of a new identity that the protagonist is struggling to come to terms with. The classroom setting also symbolizes the society that is starting to impose different rules and expectations on her. The teacher, for instance, represents the authority that doesn't fully understand the child's internal state. And as I mentioned before, the red sweater is a powerful symbol of misattribution and the confusion that comes with growing up and being misjudged by others.
The character of Beloved herself is a powerful symbol. She can be seen as representing the past that won't go away, especially the painful past of slavery. For instance, her insatiable need for Sethe's attention and love could symbolize how the past demands to be acknowledged. The house where Sethe lives also has symbolic meaning. It is a place full of memories, both good and bad, and it stands as a sort of battleground between the past and the present.
In 'Everyday Use', the quilts symbolize different things to different characters. For Dee, they are a symbol of a more glamorous and showy version of her heritage. She wants to hang them on the wall as if they were art pieces. But for Mama and Maggie, the quilts are symbols of family, love, and the practical side of heritage. They are meant to be used, like how their ancestors used them. The yard in the story also symbolizes the family's connection to the land and their roots. It's a simple, unpretentious place that represents the real, everyday side of their heritage, as opposed to Dee's more idealized and somewhat removed view of it.
The theme of sexual exploitation is also prominent. The character of Temple Drake is a victim of sexual abuse, which reflects the power dynamics between men and women in that society. Also, the theme of moral decay runs throughout the story, as characters engage in immoral behavior without much remorse.
The new dress itself is a symbol. It represents the protagonist's insecurities and her desire to fit into a certain social class. It's not just a piece of clothing but a sign of her social standing and self - perception.
In the story, the symbols are quite interesting. The book's strange writing and illustrations can be seen as symbols of the inscrutable nature of the world. Also, the fact that the book cannot be catalogued or controlled symbolizes how some aspects of life and knowledge are beyond our reach and manipulation.
Well, the mockingbird is the most obvious symbol. Killing a mockingbird is a sin because they don't do harm but sing. Tom Robinson is like a mockingbird. He's a kind man wrongly accused. Then there are the trees on the Radley lot. The gifts that Boo Radley leaves in the tree for the children can symbolize his hidden kindness and his attempt to reach out to the outside world despite his reclusive nature.