In a simile, she compares gardening to “boxing… The wins versus the losses” (Hudes 16). Through this comparison, Hudes conveys Ginny’s deep desire for a sense of control and success in her life. This desire is fed by the memory of her father, who was only bearable when he was gardening. Specifically, the assertion of this desire for control is evident as she recalls that her father “was a mean bastard…” but “became a saint if you put a flower in his hand” (Hudes 15). From those experiences of dealing with her father, a psychological analogy between nature and peace was instilled in Ginny’s mind at a young age, and is what she relies on as an adult to handle her emotional trauma. Additionally, Ginny constructs a metaphor, as she asserts that “a seed is a contract for the future” (Hudes 16). To Ginny, planting a seed guarantees that she will soon be able to visually see the fruits of her labor, and will be able to relish in the joy of creating new life. This point means that imagery is as vitally important to Ginny as it is to her story, as her visualization of the future of her garden fuels her happiness and ability to cope with what she is going
In “Marigolds” by Eugenia Collier the coming of age short story where a now grown up Lizabeth reminisce her childhood especially going into Ms.Lottie’s garden. Ms. Lottie, who did not like children but treated her precious marigolds gets them destroyed by Lizabeth. After destroying them, Lizabeth realizes her errors believing she became a women in that moment. This short story has several literary device that are used in it to help deepen the meaning. The use of imagery, symbolism and metaphors in “Marigolds” helps the reader that it is important to not lose
“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature” by Gerard De Nerval. In the story “The flowers” flowers play a major role in the development and symbolism of the story. Flowers symbolized Myop 's innocence. Surprise is the element that Alice Walker illustrates in her story. The theme of surprise is driven forward by imagery and setting. At the very beginning of the story, Walker uses diction to show Myop childhood innocence. Walker describe her
In John Steinbacks “The Chrysanthemums,” the shift of the setting from the ranch to the road plays an important role in the development of the main character, Elisa. Therefore, in the first setting, Elisa is in her garden attending to her the chrysanthemums, which she loves and cares for. Immediately, we’re placed in a rural setting, where women happen to live in isolation and man is manly. Elisa sneaks quick glances towards the men by the tractor shed, who is talking to her husband, waiting for them to leave, so she can throw aside her gloves and work her fingers into the soil of the garden. However, Elisa shows her fearless side by quickly digging in the garden, with her eagerness to grow her chrysanthemums, right after the men leave. Consequently,
From Miss Maudie’s near perfect garden to Mayella’s vibrant red geraniums among a landfill of trash, flowers are a large symbolic presence throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Some might think that the flowers are merely a coincidence to the plot, but I believe that there’s a further significance to them. In particular, Ms. Maudie, Mayella, and Mrs. Dubose all are characterized in part by the flowers that they grow. The flowers unite these characters in the fact that they all highlight feminine qualities of their personalities. Some may say the flowers are nothing more then a plot device, but the flowers throughout the book showcase aspects of femininity in each character they’re associated with.
Transitional states of maturity can be challenged or championed by unexpected discoveries which can be confronting or provocative. This is explored through Alice Walker’s 1973 prose fiction, “The Flowers”, as the protagonist’s view on the world is transformed due to the personal zemblanic discovery made. The short story explores the themes of loss of innocence and death in order to address cultural indifference and the prejudice experienced by certain groups within society, which in turn causes individuals to be effected negatively. Walker hopes to evoke sense of political and social reflection in her audience, hoping that intimate discoveries of past inequity by her readers will ensure cultural equity maintains future momentum.
How is it that an entire society can envision their future in freedom when one girl can’t? Chains, Laurie Halse Anderson’s award winning book is a compelling historical fiction story that will show instead of tell you the tear jerking truth about slavery, whilst keeping you at the edge of your seat wanting to continue on your literary journey with every page awaiting your arrival. Because she’s gullible, and superstitious Isabel’s negative characteristics are obstacles in the path of her finding her freedom. Despite these flaws her resilience is able to help her win against slavery.
Alice Walker uses imagery and diction throughout her short story to tell the reader the meaning of “The Flowers”. The meaning of innocence lost and people growing up being changed by the harshness of reality. The author is able to use the imagery to show the difference between innocence and the loss of it. The setting is also used to show this as well.
The symbol of the tulips contributes to my thesis by describing Serena’s flowers as sex organs, but they will be in vain since Serena Joy negligent about their fruits. The tulips are parallel to the handmaids because they are both are fertile and covered in red. As can be seen in Chapter 6, Offred claims, “The red of the tulips in Serena Joy’s garden, towards the base of the flowers where they are beginning to heal. Each thing is valid and really there” (Atwood 40). In other words, Offred is saying red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while tulips to Serena Joy represents false love. The effect of the red tulips emphasizes Offred birth and fertility, how she’s afraid to give away a child. Power and education have been taking away from the handmaids. And even though they will “begin to heal”.
Chrysanthemums are beautiful, delicate flowers, which often symbolize happiness. In the short story, “The Chrysanthemums,” John Steinbeck walks the readers through the lives of Elisa and Henry Allen. They live on a foothill ranch in Salinas Valley, California, where they spend most of their days living a simple lifestyle. The Allens focus their time on maintaining their ranch, but in the eyes of Elisa, this meant more time for her to tend to her beloved chrysanthemums. Steinbeck incorporates quizzical diction and repetition to characterize Elisa and to define happiness, to convey the message that it is more important to be happy than to try to please everybody else.
Walker’s essay shows the dehumanization and abuse that black women have endured for years. She talks about how their creativity was stifled due to slavery. She also tells how black women were treated more like objects than human beings. They entered loveless marriages and became prostitutes because of the injustice upon them. Walker uses her mother’s garden to express freedom, not only for her but for all the black women who had been wronged. Walker described her mother as radiant when she was planting, her work outshining the wrongdoings done to her and the people before her. The garden was where her mother could make truly make “art.” The garden was also a representation of the creativity of the women who hold a talent close to their heart
Flowers symbolize so many things in society nowadays. People receive and give flowers on several different occasions. Flowers are symbols of love, sadness, apologizes, excitement, passion, and many others. Flowers also play a big role in the story “Paul’s Case” written by Willa Cather. The main character, Paul, often gives special meaning to the flowers present in the story. That being said, the flowers in the story represent who Paul is. They represent the beauty in dismay, but most importantly they symbolize Paul.
Would you be tempted to eat the forbidden fruit is displayed in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s gothic short story “Rappaccini’s Daughter”. A long time ago a young man named Giovanni Guasconti moved to Italy to pursue his studies although he discovered something else. A garden so beautiful and enchanting similar to the daughter of the owner of the garden, Beatrice, who was the forbidden fruit of the town. So Giovanni watched her from afar until he could not any more so he discovered a secret entrance into the garden. Once he snuck into the garden Beatrice and Giovanni fell in love just as fast as Romeo and Juliet. Although as their love for each other bloomed something else was lurking in the forefront of Giovanni’s mind. The warning that Guasconti gave him to avoid Rappaccini and his daughter.
Layers of illusions are burned away and all Paul has left is reality. In Willa Cather’s tragic short story “Paul’s Case: A Study in Temperament,” the flowers capture the reality world Paul departs from. For instance, critic Sherry Crabtree asserts that the red carnation symbolizes Paul’s alienation from the world of Cordelia Street (Crabtree 206). Crabtree observes the patterns of how the flowers reveal Paul’s negative outlook on life. On the other hand, some critics claim that the flowers capture the fantasy world Paul envisions. For example, author of short stories Edward Pitcher claims that the flower in Paul’s lapel portrays his world of illusions with his “own sense of color and need for embellishment” (Pitcher 547). What Pitcher fails
Dana Gioia’s poem, “Planting a Sequoia” is grievous yet beautiful, sombre story of a man planting a sequoia tree in the commemoration of his perished son. Sequoia trees have always been a symbol of wellness and safety due to their natural ability to withstand decay, the sturdy tree shows its significance to the speaker throughout the poem as a way to encapsulate and continue the short life of his infant. Gioia utilizes the elements of imagery and diction to portray an elegiac tone for the tragic death, yet also a sense of hope for the future of the tree. The poet also uses the theme of life through the unification of man and nature to show the speaker 's emotional state and eventual hopes for the newly planted tree. Lastly, the tree itself becomes a symbol for the deceased son as planting the Sequoia is a way to cope with the loss, showing the juxtaposition between life and death.