The almanac symbolizes the passing of time or life. As a result, it cannot help but point to death and bring forth tears. We see this alluded to with the child's drawing, as the man wears "tear like buttons" (29), symbolizing all that has passed. The almanac is crying but those tears are also nourishing in that they are preparing the child for the next phase in her life. The recurring tears point to the fact that death is not far for the grandmother. Here we see death hiding about in almost every aspect of the daily activities of life, reminding us that it is always around the corner. In "A Certain Lady," Dorothy Parker utilizes symbolism to make an ironic point. The symbols in this poem point to the traditional ones we associate with love and lovers. The poet tells her lover that she will "drink your rushing words with eager lips" (parker 2) and she will "laugh and marvel, rapturous-eyed" (6). These symbol seem to indicate an eagerness for this lover. The metaphor of the "thousand little deaths my heart has died" (8) is very telling, indicating how many times her lover has hurt her. The poet's tales of his lover's are "fresh adventurings" (14) for which she is to enjoy and she does not disappoint. These women and the "lingering hands, and gently whispered things" (16) are symbols of the time in which Parker lived. The twenties...
The poet's kiss as her lover goes blithely on is a symbol of those times as well, as she knows the truth of what goes on behind closed doors. Here we see the double meaning the poet intends with these symbols as they help her make her point at the end of the poem.
Music becomes the symbol that changes the brothers. To emphasize the importance of the power of music, Baldwin's narrator cannot grasp what Sonny is speaking about until he sees him play. It is only when he experiences the sound does he finally "get it." Music bridges the chasm that has existed between these brothers for so long and it literally saves their relationship from further darkness and turmoil. Sonny's
"The drowned face always staring," and "the drowned face sleeps with open eyes" are lines in Rich's poem that correspond with the symbol of drowning as death in Crane's "The Open Boat." The symbol of drowning is that of respect for nature and especially for the power of the ocean over human life. Darkness is another symbol shared in common by these two works of literature. Although Rich's poem has
He insists Cory give up any dream of playing ball and makes him return to the A&P. It is important to note Troy does not intend on making his son's life difficult nor does he want to make him miserable but he does want him to have a stable job that will allow him to provide for a family. There is also the notion that at the A&P, Cory
The comparison is significant because the poet is pointing out that thee emotions do have the ability to destroy humankind just like these powerful forces of nature. The tone of "Fire and Ice" is significant because of the poet's intention. His understatement, "But if it had to perish twice . . ." (5), indicates that fire has the capacity to destroy quickly just like hate does and destruction by ice
Hooper's wearing of the veil only reinforces this notion. We are all unclean and should be aware of our condition. Hooper believed this and says so on his deathbed when he tells those around him, "On every visage a Black Veil!" (Hawthorne 640) G.A. Santangelo believes that Hawthorne was concerned with a delusional state of innocence in that no one can be innocent in this world "because man has
The symbols seem extreme at first but as we become comfortable with the idea, the symbols make perfect sense. While some symbols in Frost's poetry are extreme, others are more subtle. In "Design," the poet uses the smallest of objects to serve as symbols. In addition, he uses them in an unusual manner to make an impact upon the reader. He tells us the spider is white, dimpled, and fat,
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