Imagery and Symbolism in Surfacing by Margaret Atwood Essay

Imagery and Symbolism in Surfacing by Margaret Atwood - Essay Example From this research it is clear that authors use symbolism because of their hidden and deeper meanings. Atwood uses American images showing how Americans were invading and ruining Canada. The Americans put missile silos, filled the villages with tourist cabins, and left trashes everywhere. Atwood describes the growth and expansion of American as the cause of cultural infiltration. The narrator of the story calls Americans having a brain disease, relating their identity with behavior disregard rather than of nationalism. According to Atwood, an American is someone who involves himself in unnecessary violence, likes technology, and misuses resources. David argues that he hates Americans, but he likes baseball and he tends to imitate Woody Woodpecker, a funny human like cartoon character. Atwood further describes American expansion as psychologically corrupt and destructive. On the contrary, she believes she should have acted as one. In page 24, she says, â€Å"†¦.I see I’ve made a mistake, I should have pretended to be an American†. The narrator keeps on mentioning power several times in his story showing that he is actively in such of it. In the fourth chapter, Atwood remembers her thoughts that a certain plant seeds would make her more powerful. In Chapter 19, the narrator also says that doctors pretend that children’s birth is because of their power and not the mothers’ ability. The authors asserts, â€Å"the power from my father’s intercession wasn’t enough to protect me, it gave only knowledge†¦.†. This shows how the author presents men as more powerful. ... The authors asserts, â€Å"the power from my father’s intercession wasn’t enough to protect me, it gave only knowledge†¦.†(Atwood 168). This shows how the author presents men as more powerful In the fifteenth chapter, Atwood remembers herself pretending to be a powerful and helpless animal. She later puts much emphasizes on the quest of â€Å"the power†. She claims that, ever since her birth, she has been receiving isolations and emotional disturbance from the unfair religious and gender roles. She later gains her say by promising not to be powerless. She later comes to understand that, for one to be a good member of the society, one must learn on how to love and communicate. Symbolism The Barometer Atwood portrays barometer’s symbol through Paul’s wooden barometer. In page 40, she says, â€Å"†¦like the wooden man and woman in the barometer house at Paul’s†. Assessment of the barometer symbolizes her attitudes towards marriage. Atwood finally compares the barometer couples with Paul and Madame, which according to her means empty marriage. She notes that Paul and Madame seem wooden. The narrator even compares the image of barometer symbol with that of her parents sawing a portion of birch. The birch image is good because Atwood relates birches with the undestroyed nature. The image of the barometer also symbolizes unrealistic and unattainable type of romance, although her parents have true love. The Hanged Heron The use of Hanged Heron represents the America way of a destructive nature. The narrator keeps on thinking about the senselessness of her slaughter, knowing that it was hanged instead of being buried. Atwood uses the Heron’s death to

Comparative Race and Ethnicity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Comparative Race and Ethnicity - Essay Example The discussion started when a White man from the crowd questions that why black people are so frustrated that they always keep on talking about ethnicity and that they are being ignored by the world Jones replied because this is the truth if not why are they called blacky The white man said it is very simple we call you black people because of your dark complexion, Jones interrupted and said sorry to interrupt you young man but the truth is that you call us black people to make a border line between you and us as you think that we are inferior to you or you might don't want to make us feel that we are also the citizens of this country and that we are second citizens. Moreover Socrates said that I started feeling like a mad man as we truly started feeling ourselves inferior than White people and some of us don't feel comfortable in the company of a white man this time the white man again interrupted and said look you your self said that its you who feel uncomfortable with us otherwise we don't have any issue whoever is living or working in our vicinity. Socrates replied dear this is the main problem you look at the current situation and don't want to see the original picture or the reason behind all this. You people discuss that we were slaves and were tortured by our masters and till now when everything has changed you still look at us like slaves and don't want to mention our contributions. In this regard Jones said that the main issue is that you think that we are inferior because you do not understand our culture and religion or you might don't want to, as both of these play an important role in making an Identity of a person you only know th at we are black people, negro and that's all. I don't know if you don't want to know more than this or you are afraid that after knowing the complete reality you have to accept our identity. As we entered states we gradually started losing our identity as we were working under white people so they simply call us black people and the thing keep on going from generations to generations. You could not feel the pain of losing identity it feels like we are nobody and came in this world to serve white or rich people or if we are born for slavery. The white man said we never said you so and I don't think anybody have enough time to stand and say you that you are inferior or we don't like yours. Nobody bothers to say so and why would we Socrates said it's not your tongue that speaks it's your eyes that make us feel inferior , yes it's the way you look at us, a taunting smile on your face is enough to make us pissed off. You said that you don't think so then tell me why do you call us a second citizen why after spending our lives here in states and we served your prestigious organization even then we are still blacky, Negros and nothing more then second citizens to you people. We study in same universities that you did and dream to have a bright future but still we don't get to the position you get because of your ethnicity. The white man did not bothered to talk more and went away with a smile on his face, a smile like that