Symbolism – “My Antonia”

Literary device symbolizationisation Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities symbolic meaning attri hardlyed to vivid objects or facts. There seemed to be nonhing to see no fences, no creeks or trees, no hills or fields. If there was a road, I could not make it out in the faint starlight. There was nothing but land not a country at all, but the square out of which countries are made (10). In all that country it was the smirch most dear to me because when all of the land has been clea rubor for farming, this island where two roads meet is the only place where the tall prairie grass still grows self-possessed (62). Even while we whispered about it, our vision disappeared the ball dropped and dropped until the red tip went beneath the earth. The fields below us were dark, the tilt was increase pale, and that forgotten plough had sunk back to its own littleness somewhere on the prairie (50-51). Willa Cather My Antonia In the book, My Antonia, Jim Burden finds himself an orphan leaving his beloved business firm to a crude, stranger place. When he first arrives he observes the country and how varied the surroundings are. Throughout the story Jim closingly settles in and has a new friend, Antonia. Many things happen and soon we are mourning over the remainder of Mr.Shimerda. His death was a big event and effected Antonia and her family. Her family was forced to employ three times harder to keep themselves alive. As you transition into book two, to a greater extent conflicts are invited and new symbols. There are three main types of symbolization that are appealing to the eye. The first quote uses the prairie as a symbol of Jims friendship with Antonia during his childhood. It may also symbolize the immigrants and the vast sizing of the prairie. Which may suggest both the opportunity for a new livelihood and the overwhelming fear that goes with trying to create a new life.The third base quote is usually missed as a sign of sym bolism. The gravesite is a remnant of the prairie in its purest form, and it symbolizes Antonias and Jims longing for the past. It is also unwelcoming and thesky cries as if in sorrow, and the elements in the new land are not friendly, just as they have not been welcoming toMr. Shimerda (61). In the final quote the symbol is the plough. It symbolizes mans beautiful and harmonious union to the land. The imagery suggests Jims impending separation from Antonia and while Antonia remains on the prairie, Jim leaves for good. Willa Cather uses many examples of symbolism.The lighting is one that is seen in many books, such as Of Mice and Men and more. A vivid description of light shows every major change that occurs in the novel. For example, at the end of the novel, after Jim leaves Antonia for the last time, he stands alone on the prairie roads in the slanting sunlight and reflects on the incommunicable past he shared with Antonia. The light from the sun is setting and at this time Cath er uses the light to show the ending to Jim and Antonias relationship. Symbolism in this novel is important in deciding the lives, actions, and moods of the characters.