During the internal oral presentations, I learned a many
number of things, but the main focus of what I learned was the multiple number
of ways symbolism can effect a novel or a graphic novel. From my own presentation, and several other
people’s presentations, I learned that symbolism played a large role in the Great Gatsby through many different ways.
Firstly, the colors used by Fitzgerald symbolized not only multiple if
not all characters’ emotions, they also showed foreshadowing towards later
major plot events. Another way Fitzgerald
used symbolism was through frequently mentioned objects in the novel. For example, he used the green light at the
end of Daisy’s dock to symbolize Gatsby’s hope and desire for a future with
Daisy. Also, through the clock Gatsby
knocks over at Nick’s house can symbolize how time had stopped for Gatsby when
he met Daisy and how time had slowed down in Nick’s eyes as he got to know the
other characters seen in the book such as Daisy, Tom, Myrtle, Gatsby, and
Jordan. Finally, weather was used by
Fitzgerald in the Great Gatsby to
symbolize something of greater meaning.
The weather throughout the novel changed along with character emotions
and certain events. One example of this
is that it is raining not only when Myrtle is ran over, but also when Gatsby’s
funeral takes place. Fitzgerald uses the
weather to portray different emotions of the characters at that particular time
in the novel.
In both Maus and Siddhartha, animals are used as
symbolization in order to further plot and character development. In
Maus, Spiegelman not only uses animals to make to book more accessible to
younger ages but to show characters of certain nations’ personalities through
the attributes associated with specific animals. For example, he uses mice to portray the
Jewish because mice represent vermin and that’s what the Germans considered the
Jews to be. Spiegelman also used dogs to
represent Americans this is symbolic because it shows that the Americans were
seen as loyal protectors. In Siddhartha, Hesse uses animals to
further the plot line and foreshadow upcoming events. He uses the black snake that bites Kamala no
only to symbolize her untimely death, but also to show her peaceful ending as
she reaches enlightenment. His use of
carp in the novel symbolizes reaching enlightenment, and Hesse’s use of starks
represent Siddhartha leaving home and the inner balance it takes one to become
enlightened. Overall, I learned many
things throughout the IOP’s, and from each one, I take new knowledge to apply
to the next novel I read in this class.
