Preview

To the Lighthouse

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1334 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
To the Lighthouse
English 102D

To the Lighthouse

Central symbol – the lighthouse. How does the lighthouse aid in constructing the central tensions and development of the plot? How does the lighthouse aid in understanding the role and dilemma of Mrs. Ramsey?

Many ideas as to what this structure may symbolize have entered my mind, and I would like to ask anyone who would like to respond to clarify if my thoughts are true to the novel or merely construed fluff. The lighthouse may be a symbol for Mrs. Ramsay herself as its beam is always at the home on the island. Its light penetrates the windows long after Mrs. Ramsay's death and the family's flight from their former home. Also, in everyone's memory, the lighthouse is a place of beauty, yet upon returning many years later they find a forbidding place and begin questioning why the trip was made in the first place. Could the lighthouse symbolize the burden left on James and Mr. Ramsay after her death? While she was still with them, a journey to the lighthouse seemed something to be looked forward to, but after her death the trip merely seemed to derive from Mr. Ramsay's sense of duty to his late wife. Could the lighthouse symbolize life itself? Could it symbolize the two realms of consciousness constant in all the characters? One being the illusion of what life is as seen only in the mind and built up by imagination, and the other being the reality of life which can be found only when gazing more closely at what is real. I know this message was long, and I'm sorry if I have wasted anyone's time, but if you have any insights on this subject please respond!

The lighthouse's beam of revolving light as an image to Mrs. Ramsey's character as she revolves around each character and watches over everyone like the light of a lighthouse does.

I read elsewhere that a lighthouse is not usually a destination in itself, but traditionally illuminates the way toward one's destination - provides a safe path. Is Mrs. Ramsey "the
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    C. Boyle's 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'
    • 119 Words
    • 1 Page

    C. Boyle's 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

    First, choose either T. C. Boyle's "The Love of My Life" or Joyce Carol Oates's "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" Second, choose a brief passage (a few sentences, a short paragraph) that exemplifies either the main symbol or the story's point of view. As you closely read the passage, i.e., attending to the subtle language cues like we've been practicing in class, discuss what the symbol or point of view conveys about the overall meaning of the story. What idea or theme does the symbol point to? Why is the story told from this particular point of view, and what does the attitude toward the main character(s) imply about the main idea? Due Thursday, August…

    • 119 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Edgar Allen Poe 3.07 Questions the Red Death
    • 657 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Edgar Allen Poe 3.07 Questions the Red Death

    The ebony clocks and its arresting chimes add suspense to the story, as well as foreshadow. I think that the clock symbolizes the hands of time. Poe is trying to show that everyone’s time is limited, and that there is no escaping death.…

    • 657 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Scarlet Letter Light and Dark Motif
    • 956 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Scarlet Letter Light and Dark Motif

    In order to portray the overall theme of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses motifs, which are recurring concepts or contrasts. From the beginning of the novel and throughout, there are clear examples of light versus dark that are used to set tone and mood, and used for character development. Hawthorne utilizes the idea of light versus dark, or day versus night to convey the theme of covert sin and overt abomination.…

    • 956 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Analysis of the Scarlet Letter 1
    • 1147 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Analysis of the Scarlet Letter 1

    “It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom, that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human fatality and sorrow,” (Hawthorne 44). In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, light and dark are used to compare and contrast the inner nature of Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale, All of these characters describe the theme of sin and suffering, but throughout their own struggles they strive and succeed to end up on the other end of the spectrum.…

    • 1147 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Symbolic Nature of the Scarlett Letter
    • 2482 Words
    • 10 Pages

    The Symbolic Nature of the Scarlett Letter

    Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter introduces themes within the story that recur in several settings and serve as metaphors for the underlying conflicts. The trouble in interpreting The Scarlet Letter is the fact that the story is packed full of symbolism that can be either overlooked, or misinterpreted. From the actual letter ‘A', down to the use of colors, Hawthorne wrote his story with the intention of making the reader work harder and read deeper into the characters and actual meaning of the story.…

    • 2482 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    "The Scarlet Letter" Thesis Statement Essay
    • 686 Words
    • 3 Pages

    "The Scarlet Letter" Thesis Statement Essay

    Symbolism is one of the major leading and critical part of the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Each character in the novel represents different meanings and ideas. However, the main character who develops into an appealing symbol is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne. Pearl’s representation changes throughout the novel, but she is continually displayed as a wicked character and is demonstrated as God’s “punishment” for Hester’s guilt, and not only that; she continues to disregard the Puritan laws by relating with the nature and being over-joyful.…

    • 686 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On The Symbolism Of Pearl In The Scarlet Letter
    • 1036 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Essay On The Symbolism Of Pearl In The Scarlet Letter

    In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne symbolizes Pearl as four main things. First, the chaos inside of Hester. Second, the hidden sin of her parents. Third, a last hope for Dimmesdale. Fourth, a chance to start a better life. Lastly, the scarlet letter itself.…

    • 1036 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Motifs in "The Scarlet Letter" by Hawthorne
    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Motifs in "The Scarlet Letter" by Hawthorne

    In a novel of sin and redemption, symbolism is used to broaden the significance of certain aspects. Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses a barrage of themes, motifs, and symbolisms. These images help to unify the novel and enrich the meaning behind the work. Early in the novel, Hawthorne refers to iron, oak, chains mainly to demonstrate the Puritanism that takes place in the novel. However, he also uses these symbolic items to display the bonds between characters and what they believe in. In the first paragraph of the novel, Hawthorne describes the prison door "which was heavily timbered with oak and studded with iron spikes" (Pg. 33) to flaunt the austerity and illustrate what times were like right off the bat. He uses verisimilitude to liken the callousness of the puritan ethic to the portal behind which go the criminals who don't follow these guidelines. The symbolism in this situation is used to intensify the importance of the puritan ethic in the novel. To elucidate Hester's desire to move back to England, and her morals for staying, Hawthorne states that "The chain that bound her here was of iron links, and galling to her inmost soul, but never could be broken." (Pg. 55) Even though she knew she could move back anytime she wanted, Hester felt fervent on staying in New England to prove herself to everyone. In this case Hawthorne used symbolism to enact the bond between man and nature. Hester was bound to the land through a chain of fulfillment. Hawthorne also uses symbolism to form a correlation between different chapters in the novel. On the first page, Hawthorne describes the prison door as a portal to doom. In The Governor's Hall, Hawthorne described the Governor's door as a door to liberty. If Hester "lifted the iron hammer" (Pg. 71) and entered the Governor's home, she would be taking the first step to freedom from her sin. The last way Hawthorne uses symbolism is to illustrate Hester's link to Dimmesdale. Hester knew there was a responsibility…

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Metaphors Throughout the Scarlet Letter
    • 686 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Metaphors Throughout the Scarlet Letter

    Hawthorne manages to create many metaphors within his novel The Scarlet Letter. The rose bush outside the prison door, the black man, and the scaffold are three metaphors. Perhaps the most important metaphor would be the scaffold, which plays a great role throughout the entire story. The three scaffold scenes which Hawthorne incorporated into The Scarlet Letter contain a great deal of significance and importance the plot. Each scene brings a different aspect of the main characters, the crowd or more minor characters, and what truth or punishment is being brought forth.…

    • 686 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Fall of the House of Usher Comparison
    • 310 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Fall of the House of Usher Comparison

    In conclusion, Edgar Allan Poe uses the House of Usher as a symbol to the owner by comparing their eyes, hair, and overall…

    • 310 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter
    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter

    "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is full of many different themes, symbols, ironies, and conflicts. All of these aspects are crucial to the construction and dramatization of the plot. In literature, symbolism is the deepness and hidden meaning behind the story. Symbolism plays a major role in developing the themes of Hawthorne 's "The Scarlet Letter"; symbols such as the rosebush at the prison, Hester 's daughter Pearl, and the Scarlet Letter itself, among many others.…

    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Poe vs HAWTHRONES
    • 1637 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Poe vs HAWTHRONES

    The most predominate feature Poe and Hawthorne consistently develop in their writing is the use of symbolism. In Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death”, symbolism in both light and dark forms was represented. From the light patterns of the fires illuminating the rooms and the flames lively dancing across the walls, to the dark clock held within the black room that was ticking away the time the revelers had left to live, Poe strongly contrasts life (light) and death (dark) (“The Masque of the Red Death”). Hawthorne also uses light and dark imagery in his short story, “The Minister’s Black Veil”. The main dark symbol comes in the form of the black veil that Mr. Hooper wears to represent some form of sin. The comparative light symbolism comes in…

    • 1637 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Masque O the Red Death
    • 554 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Masque O the Red Death

    The fire lighting the suite of rooms is another object in the story that represented death. He says, "...There stood, opposite to each window, a heavy tripod, bearing a brazier of fire that projected its rays through the tinted glass... However, in the western or black chamber the effect of the firelight that streamed upon the dark hangings through the blood-tinted panes, was ghastly in the extreme, and produced so wild a look upon the countenances of those who entered..."The fire was meant to produce a shadowy atmosphere in the west and a favorable one in the east. This is symbolic to the sunrise in the east and sunset in the west because light means life and darkness means death. Poe uses…

    • 554 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Compare & Contrast
    • 2289 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Compare & Contrast

    The beginning of the movie is different from the novel and this change changes the message of the book. The beginning in the novel attracts the reader’s attention more. The novel begins at the prison-door, and there is a wild rose-bush outside the portal. In the next scene, one young, beautiful woman is led to the scaffold from the town jail with her infant. Hawthorne states that “This rose-bush, by a strange chance, has been kept alive in history” (46). The prison represents the Puritan society and its laws, judgments, and punishments. And outside the…

    • 2289 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Fire And Water Imagery In Jane Eyre Essay
    • 325 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Fire And Water Imagery In Jane Eyre Essay

    In addition, firstly, fire and water imagery symbolize in Gateshead, when Jane is speaking of her loneliness in Gateshead's famous red room where Mr. Reed died. Red room described its haunted atmosphere of fear by the description of the physical aspects of the room because of the Gothic status of this novel. But some critics argue that red room was a symbol of the womb for Jane in order to reborn as an obedient child, that is why she locked in the red room. The first stage of Jane’s life with Reed family was angry and hungry for instance, she was angry because of her isolation, moreover, she was hungry for a family love. Fire is symbolic of her emotions, which shows her internal anger when she called cruel and murderer to her cousin John Reed because she is an orphan and a poor child.…

    • 325 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics