In T.C. Boyle’s “Greasy Lake,” three boys who are looking for their identities put themselves in a vindictive situation that uncovers the truth about who they really are. The narrator starts by introducing the boys as “bad characters,” (insert quote citation) but it is all a facade. The denial of character is noticeable with the early symbols of the story. The boys are blinded by their need to fit in, and when the veil of true “badness” is uncovered they are terrified. By the end of the story the boys come to realization of their true identities. The narrator uses symbolism in many aspects of the story. The first and most noticeable symbols are the cars. Early on in the story we are told that the narrator drives his mother's Bel Air which
Henry and Lyman take the car out on a cross country road trip which symbolizes the changing mental state that the boys were in during that time in the story. During this point in the story the car represents the boys way of living as described in the story as “we just lived our everyday lives here to there” (453). The car symbolizes a hope of what the future might hold for the brothers. The mind that Henry has at the beginning of the story is carefree and unknown. This is shown when the speaker writes on how the brothers did not know where they were like when stated “we are somewhere in Montana or maybe the Blood Reserve” (453).
Many books can convey an underlying idea by using different means to do so. Symbolism using motifs is an example of a literary element an author could use to represent the story. In Maximum Ride: School’s Out Forever by James Patterson, wings could be used as symbolism to represent the plot of the story and hidden messages that can apply to the plot of the book as well. Firstly, the wings can be used to describe the characters’ escape from Itex.
In the story “Greasy Lake” by T.C. Boyle, the author utilizes the physical setting of Greasy Lake to reflect on the nuances and effects of American culture at the time. He accomplishes this by using the lake to represent the group’s (narrator, Digby, Jeff) shift in character throughout the story while also using the environment as social commentary on the state of America. The effects of these methods are exuberant and successful in what type of story Boyle is trying to convey. The lake itself is vividly described as disgusting and ruined by the likes of previous party-goers/ visitors but used to be pristine and beautiful, hence its less-used name “Wakan”.
Only when the narrator finds himself bumping shoulders with a floating body in Greasy Lake does he feel “the tug of fear” (5) and the darker side of the persona he attempted to take on. “Greasy Lake” is written in 1st person point of view. The narrator is a college age boy whose use of “I” such as “I blundered into something” (4) and “I don’t know how long I lay there” (5) shows that the story is seen through his perspective. The use of 1st person in “Greasy Lake” better allows the reader to understand the complex emotions and viewpoints of the narrator.
Also a symbol can mean something in real life. Could be a person or an object. In this story there were a lot of different symbols with different
What is the reason for all the symbolism in the poem? “Auto headlights” are depicted as more sudden than anyone knew (11). Auto headlights symbolize new chances. New chances always pop up when you least expect it. Due to humans “burrow[ing) backwards” when new prospects come around “nothing begets” (13-14).
One of the most important symbols of this story is Harrison; he symbolizes the revolution that everyone wants ad needs, he also symbolizes independence and doing what you think is right. We know this because he is the only one in the story who at least tries to gain independence and freedom. Another important symbol are the handicaps; which symbolize the oppression, conformity and the false equality. The handicaps show this because they are the tools the government uses to oppress people and stop them from being themselves. Symbolism shows the tone of foreboding because every symbol relates to something that could happen like the handicaps are like chains that hold us back and Harrison is like the revolutionist with a new idea or
It serves as a contrast between who Arnold is and who he is disguised as. The car symbolizes the fantasy and the reality aspect of Arnold. The new paint job on his car is used to symbolize Arnold’s fake disguise that he puts on to lure Connie in. Arnold’s car becomes a major example of his dark appearance and nature. The color of his car which is gold represents being flashy.
“Greasy Lake” is about the idea of being free spirited and having the young freedom to feel energetic and do whatever comes to mind, including rebellion. This story is about a journey in experiencing risk taking and learning from ones mistakes. In the story, the narrator describes their trip to Greasy Lake as an adventure that started off with a group of friends having fun to the situation escalating into something dangerous. The narrator says, “I was terrified. Blood was beating in my ears, my hands were shaking, my heart turning over like a dirt bike in the wrong gear” (Boyle 307).
In the Color of Water by James McBride, Ruth and James both grief over Hunter Jordan’s death in different ways. Hunter is James stepfather but he sees him as his real father because he was always in his life, until he passed away. Ruth didn't care to communicate much with others. She wouldn't even talk to her neighbors. She was a white women in a black neighborhood, so i take it, she didn't have much respect.
The cat, the L shaped barn, the red pickle dish, and the elm tree all have an important symbolic meaning to the story. Wharton uses all these objects as a way of creating and developing the theme of failure in this story. One major, but not the most important symbol used in this novel is the Fromes family cat. The cat is used symbolically throughout the book.
This quote gets us to know how equality is in the book. From this quote we can get that white people have an advantage, and black people have to be patient enough to see how they are being treated by having to wait for the white people to pass when they are the ones who got to the bridge first. The cars show/represent how they fit in the line of respect. It is known in the book for the characters, that if you are black you are likely to not own a car, but maybe a wagon; if not, then you go around on your
Later, they encounter a man they refer to as a bad character and his girlfriend. The narrator knocks out the bad character and sexually assault the girlfriend. After, they see people coming towards them. They begin to hide. The narrator jumps in Greasy Lake and finds a dead body.
Toward the end of the twentieth century, American literature saw a wave of fresh analysis about the Vietnam War. Tim O’Brien, one of the most popular authors of this historical event, wrote a few of the popular Vietnam-themed novels. In the Lake of the Woods is among these novels about the Vietnam War, fictitiously depicting events that have changed society’s perspective on the history. Tim O’Brien expresses his rebuke of numerous ways, including how the war has changed modern warfare. He also displays his views in an anti-war tone, speaking out against the war itself and the individual damage it has caused.
“Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.” Symbols can add a deeper meaning than just an object itself that the author is trying to make. Symbols can also foreshadow what is yet to come. The audience can interpret a symbol in many ways it depends on their experience. In Southside Chicago the Younger family is struggling to have hope as they are always facing society.