Symbolism in Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses symbolism in literature. It specifically looks at and compares "The Ones who Walk away from Omelas", by Ursula Le Guin, Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" and Elizabeth Tallent's "No One's a Mystery." It compares the authors' use of language and symbolism in their works and discusses the emotions that they are trying to juxtapose.

From the Paper:

"The three stories have in common contrast and archetype. The horrors of Le Guin's and Jackson's stories lie in the fact of human suffering and sacrifice for the purpose of the well-being of the greater majority. There is a common understanding that the suffering is necessary. In Tallent's story, the contrast is between the reality and the ideal. The ideal of love and marriage with Jack will never be a reality. To a degree, there is also juxtaposition between the sacrifice tradition in "The Lottery" and the reality of its true effect. Questioning this effect emphasizes the horror of the event. In all three stories, the symbolism is drawn from the common human experience, and often from the psychology of the subconscious. This provides each story with an atmosphere that forces the reader towards a conclusion that is not pleasant."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Le Guin, Ursula. "The Ones who walk away from Omelas." http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/dunnweb/rprnts.omelas.pdf
• Jackson, Shirley. "The Lottery". Cyber Studios, Inc. 2008. http://jackson.classicauthors.net/lottery/
• Siegel, Kristi. "Introduction to Modern Lietrary Theory". Mount Mary College. http://www.kristisiegel.com/theory.htm
• Tallent, Elizabeth. "No One's a Mystery". http://faculty.weber.edu/jyoung/English%202500/Readings%20for%20English%202500/NoOnesaMystery.pdf

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