ipl-logo

Symbolism In Virginia Woolf's To The Lighthouse

1007 Words5 Pages

A ‘symbol’ is a veg noun used to describe the significance of an entire variety of things. A symbol could be the apple sitting on your teacher 's desk, or maybe an inside joke you share with your best friend. In Virginia Woolf’s novel, To The Lighthouse, the highlighted symbol is the Lighthouse itself. Because the word symbol is unspecific this leaves the Lighthouse up for some interpretation. Thought out this work of art, the Lighthouse does not carry the same meaning with each character. Each person in this novel has a different background, and a altered perspective on life, leading them to perceive the Lighthouse in different ways. Mrs. Ramsay has a much different outlook on life then Lily causing a conflict in the analysis of symbols. The family aspect as an entity views the lighthouse slightly different than Tansley would due to his role in the story. The lighthouse in the story is visible from the summer vacation house, however, it is separated by a strace of ocean. Mr. Ramsey loves to look at the lighthouse and his youngest son James, is longing to venture across the water and explore the sight. Speaking metaphorically, the lighthouse in general is a beacon, something people can count on and look towards for guidance. However specific characters, recognize this symbol to have special meaning to them that may different from others in this novel.

The very first character we meet in To The Lighthouse is Mrs. Ramsay. She starts the story by saying, “Yes, of

Show More
Related

  • How Does F Scott Fitzgerald Use Symbols In The Great Gatsby

    113 Words  | 1 Pages

    What is a symbol? In literature a symbol is an object, person, place or an idea that has a real meaning in itself and also a deeper and profound meaning . Many examples of symbols can be found in the novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story of the book takes place in the roaring 1920’s and within the story Fitzgerald uses a lot of symbols as objects and physical location. The physical locations such as valley of ashes, Gatsby’s mansion , Nick’s house , the green light located in the Buchanan residents’ dock are not only places or locations that the author mentions, they symbolize emotions, feelings and other significant information.

    Read More

  • The First Betrayal Analysis

    424 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The First Betrayal Josan, a man who works in a lighthouse finds himself in the midst of a violent storm. Consequently the disheartening storm threatens to destroy the light in the tower, causing the ships to crash into the rocks. In the passage- The First Betrayal, Patricia Bray’s use of harsh diction and vivid imagery creates a mood of suspense. For instance, the author’s use of word choice illustrates a tone of fear.

    Read More

  • Jack Merridew In William Golding's Lord Of The Flies

    476 Words  | 2 Pages

    A symbol, a word by definition means, a material object representing something immaterial. The character Jack Merridew, in Lord of The Flies symbolizes chaos, insanity, and ego. In Lord of The Flies Jack Merridew symbolizes chaos by demanding, “’ We want meat’” (51).

    Read More

  • Symbolism In 'Drummer Boy Of Shiloh'

    430 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Symbolism In Laurie Halse Anderson's 'Speak'

    805 Words  | 4 Pages

    Symbolism is the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. In Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson uses literary devices to help the reader better understand Melinda’s personal changes and growth. Trees, lips, and coldness are all symbolically used to represent the changes of Melinda. Throughout the novel, trees play a big part in symbolizing Melinda. Melinda is constantly drawing and relating to trees in the book.

    Read More

  • The Symbolism Of Pearl In The Scarlet Letter

    465 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Dictionary.com symbolism can be defined as, “the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character.” Nathaniel Hawthorne places many symbols in The Scarlet Letter, such as Pearl. In the novel, Pearl is known as a symbol of treasure for Hester, sin, and unusualness. In the Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne refers to the book of Matthew when he gives the name Pearl to the character.

    Read More

  • What Does The Green Light Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

    725 Words  | 3 Pages

    A symbol in a novel is a concrete object that represents an idea or a set of ideas. Choose 3 symbols in the book and explain what they mean and how they function together to support a central theme. The Great Gatsby novel has various numbers of symbols that are descried and each symbolise very different things. Three symbols that this essay is going to further investigate are the green light, Gatsby’s gold and silver suit and the Valley of Ashes.

    Read More

  • Ignorance And Preconceptions In Raymond Carver's Cathedral

    448 Words  | 2 Pages

    A Cathedral is a place for people to go and worship, to connect with God. By drawing the Cathedral the narrator is in some ways also making a connection. For the first time, he appears to be able to see. The narrator's ignorance and preconceptions fade away because he sees that although Robert has the gift of knowing and understanding people. There is also a sense of irony at the end of the story.

    Read More

  • Essay On Symbolism In The Book Speak

    1197 Words  | 5 Pages

    Symbolism can use an object (like a tree of birds), or art, (like Melinda’s art project or Mr. Freeman's canvas) to represent an abstract idea. Laurie Halse Anderson uses symbolism to hint at a certain mood or emotion, rather than just blatantly saying it. So, the use of symbolism is important because it helps create meaning and emotion in a story. Symbolism makes a book fun to read, the symbolism produces a thought provoking work of art and it, (like in this book), adds meaning to seemingly unrelated objects and elicits emotions in the

    Read More

  • What Are The Symbols In Young Goodman Brown

    613 Words  | 3 Pages

    Short Story Essay: Symbolism Symbolism, self-explanatory, something serving as a symbol. In the short story, Young Goodman Brown, symbolism is shown by the wife’s name, Faith, and the pink bow that Faith wears in her hair, and the snake staff. These three things have odd ways of being symbolic but this essay is going to break it down. First, Goodman Browns wife's name, Faith, is symbolic.

    Read More

  • Mary Shelley's Use Of Biblical Allusions In Frankenstein

    1359 Words  | 6 Pages

    In many novels symbolism functions as a way to reveal much of what is intended for the reader to understand about characters and the work as a whole. Symbols can be ideas, objects, or actions that constitute multiple interpretations or meanings. This is also true for many older novels including Frankenstein. Throughout the gothic fiction novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the use of symbolism and the role it partakes in the entirety of the story signifies its importance. There are many symbols throughout the novel some including light and fire, the creation story, and exploration.

    Read More

  • The Way To Rainy Mountain Analysis

    1186 Words  | 5 Pages

    It is a connection between the ordinary sense of reality and a moral or spiritual order. A symbol can be an object, a sound, or a bodily sensation. It can also be a character, or an act. A symbol is carried through the work and consistently represents something than adds to the meaning of the piece. Symbolism is the practice of employing symbols.

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Epiphany In Raymond Carver's Cathedral

    860 Words  | 4 Pages

    The narrator begins to change as Robert taught him to see beyond the surface of looking. The narrator feels enlightened and opens up to a new world of vision and imagination. This brief experience has a long lasting effect on the narrator. Being able to shut out everything around us allows an individual the ability to become focused on their relationships, intrapersonal well-being, and

    Read More

  • Raisin In The Sun Symbolism

    793 Words  | 4 Pages

    “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.

    Read More

  • Symbolism In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    1100 Words  | 5 Pages

    Symbolism in general is the building blocks to all sources of literature and can shape a piece of writing in many ways. Symbols in general can portray what something or someone represents, giving a deeper and metaphorical meaning to a symbol. Symbolism is often used within poetry, literature, music, or even art. This is how an author conveys a different meaning to the audience. For example artists may use the color “red” not only because of the color theory, but to convey love, passion, and maybe even health.

    Read More

More about Symbolism In Virginia Woolf's To The Lighthouse

Open Document