“The Thing in the Forest” by A.S. Byatt is a peculiar fairytale. Throughout the story the reader can sense a darker tone inferring that deeper meanings may lie beneath the forest. By taking the setting into account, we are made aware that a great war is about the land. World War II, in all of its horrific grandeur is plaguing the country and the two young girls are sent away. Through the “uneasy silences”, “snuffles and sobs”, and “gray shoddy blankets”, the reader understands what strife these children are going through. Perhaps not a direct horror of the actual war about them, but the indirect dread of what is going on around them. The girls run into the forest with hopes of exploration. Their childhoods have been utterly dampened; perhaps they can find a simple joy in adventure. The thing serves as the crucial symbol in the story. This thing is described painstakingly in the most horrific manner. This image remains haunting to the girls for years to come, indicating that this monster represents the loss of their own innocence. Frightening for years to come, this image has eaten away at the lives of the two and leaves the story to end just as it started. “ There were once two little girls who saw, or believed they saw, a thing in a forest.”
“Aminadab in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birth-mark” ” by Conor Walsh is filled with interesting perception and a new aspect of the symbolism on Hawthorne’s character Aminadab in that in breaking down the name and the character separately, one can more clearly analyze the misunderstanding protagonist and the seemingly insignificant character to gain a more evolved discernment of the story. In “The Birthmark,” the reader is presented with two main characters [Aylmer and Georgianna] and one minor character [Aminadab]. Although mentioned further into the story and less often than the other characters, Aminadab has a greater role than can be read on the surface. Walsh utterly breaks down this character and analyzes him so that we can clearly gain a true image of Hawthorn’s symbolism-filled manservant, Aminadab.
In the short story, Aylmer is a brilliant but misguided scientist, obsessed with his work and obsessed with the idea of human perfection. His wife, Georgianna is the caring and beautiful idealistic woman with but one flaw and it merely being physical. When Aminadab is introduced, the reader automatically pictures him this insignificant and brooding character. Aylmer, often in a near degrading tone, refers to him as a “human machine” and a “man of clay.” Walsh observes that perhaps Aminadab’s earthy appearance represents man’s physical nature. Much like the birthmark, Aminadab is considered “flawed” by Aylmer. This to show how Aylmer displays disdain for imperfection of humankind and misunderstanding about life itself. For no man can be perfect, Aminadab and Georgianna are similar in their humility and acceptance of their flaws. Walsh also incorporates the meaning of names in his article; Aminadab meaning, “my nation is noble.” Why then does Aylmer talk down to him so and disregard his humanity? Perhaps this was just another symbolic method representing Aylmer’s misinterpreted theories of what man should be. Although flawed, he is mortal; Aminadab is truly nobler than Aylmer will ever be. Ernest Hemingway, author of “Hills like White Elephants,” illustrates his abundant usage of ambiguity throughout the short story. Ambiguity leaves opportunity for the analyzing reader to fill in the blanks of the story. Initially upon reading “Hills Like White Elephants,” confusion can overtake the mind. This short story shows extreme vagueness and certain emptiness in the dialogue that causes the reader to become more curious about Hemingway’s true meaning.
After the detailed description of the setting in Spain, the story takes a turn from the lighthearted and the characters initiate a prolonged dialogue about a subject unknown to the reader. The debate between the two protagonists about the operation lengthens but never quite goes into depth. All the reader is aware of is that the operation is simple, common, and the man is desperately trying to convince the woman to have it. The conversation seems so simple and meaningless but subtle undertones force the reader to sense a tenseness of the two. Although the text never clearly states that the two are upset or unhappy with their situation, one can infer this when the American says, “It’s the only thing that bothers us. It’s the only thing that makes us unhappy.” We know something has happened that is affected the couple’s relationship and this operation has a weigh in on the ultimate outcome of the two. When the girl even questions his love for her, it is written plainly. However by putting the quote into context the reader can sense an uncertainty in her imaginary voice. Hemingway has a profound use of ambiguity in that it creates a curious tone for the story. Although simple, the text is flowing with indirect undertones and suggestions. This indistinctness breaks down the walls for the reader and allows him to make his own connotations of the text. Of the many themes that can be derived from Kafka's short story, "The Metamorphosis," the individual's struggle toward understanding, awareness, and or spirit enlightenment serves as a prevalent idea. In this case our individual is Gregor Samsa. Samsa is a desensitized shadow of a man so to speak. Working to provide for his family as a travelling salesman has made his life miserable and in loathing his situation as an isolated individual, he begins to loathe his family subconsciously. This subconscious seems to be filled with apathy and confusion. Gregor is faced with depression and isolation that eventually makes him lose his identity as a person. This dehumanization can be considered a major theme throughout the story. Human nature is the fundamental dispositions and traits of a human being. Qualities of humans can vary but where does one begin to classify the dehumanized individuals?After Gregor’s transformation, it becomes obvious to him that he cannot properly communicate with his family, much less with people from the outside world such as the chief clerk, the boarders, and the maid. Without Communication, one cannot properly function in our society. Many movies depict individuals stranded on deserted islands going mad due to lack of communication or interaction with humankind. This is how I picture Gregor, slowly dehumanizing himself until nothing is left except a buglike representation of who he has become. Like a roach he lives alone, speechless, and shunned, however, the reader realizes that these characteristics after his metamorphosis seem rather similar to his description as a man. Although the reader understands this, it seems as though our protagonist does not.
Throughout the story, Gregor is in a constant struggle to please his family. Whether it be working to repay their own debt, or dying to free them of a wretched burden, he does his best to understand what he can do to be what they want him to be. In this process, Gregor has lost his inner-most self as a independent individual. The reader watches helplessly as Samsa struggles to understand his own dehumanization and ultimately meets his own demise trying. |
Archives
May 2015
Categories |