写作技巧

●Writing devices: Symbolism

The use of one object or action (a symbol) to represent or suggest something else.

In Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, the "A" that Hester Prynne was forced to wear represented not only that she was an adulteress, but also the first letter of the name of her illegitimate child's father, the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. It is also used to represent “Angle”.

There are several ways to recognize symbolism in literature. One is the frequency an object or character is mentioned in a piece of literature — if it is mentioned often, it is probably important. Another way to find a symbol is to look at how much detail is used in describing an object. These two methods give clues that the writer wants you to infer something about a particular object.

Find out the symbolic meanings

Symbols in the play

Pearl: hope and faith

Sea: the life

OK.-by-the-sea: life isn't perfect but by taking it easy it can be more fun.

Beachcombing: looking for the value in life.