Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Symbolic Relation in Novel
All throughout the novel, Paton uses the tool of symbolism to get his message across. Land is used repeatedly in the novel as a representation for Paton's message. We see the presence of fear in the novel along with other elements as well. These elements work together to speak to the readers such as myself. Land symbolizes the mistakes, confusion, and emotions people have towards South Africa.
Mistakes are made constantly everyday and everywhere. In the novel, the land is described as sacred and peaceful. The natives should "Keep it, guard it, care for it" as Paton says in the novel. It is only right "for it keeps men, guards, cares for men" the natives should tend to the land. Instead the land is broken and misused "the earth has torn away like flesh" the simile compares the brokenness of a human with the land. The mistake the natives make is there misuse of the land, and this is what causes Paton to write and mourn over this mistake.
Nevertheless, Paton does not only use the land to symbolize the peoples mistakes and out them at fault fully. Confusion is represented with the land perspective from Johannesburg. From the people's perspective, they have no choice but too go to Johannesburg. Natives travel to Johannesburg, and Paton says "all roads lead to Johannesburg." The people are leaving their home constantly because they think it's better in the big city. Johannesburg is not a place the people choose or want to live; it's a place where they feel they have to live. The people are confused and think its a place that will give them opportunities. When in reality, it's a chaotic place filled with crime and violence. To succeed, the people must care for and live their lives fully and with wisdom but they don't realize this. The young and foolish move out of town and don't realize that they will suffer. The same way the land suffers when the people use it the wrong way.
Furthermore, we see elements of fear, anger, and guilt in the novel. These emotions show up through the land because whatever the people feel the land reacts off of. Kumalo stinks of fear in almost every page of the novel. Paton alludes to the reader that we shouldn't worry "it is fear in the land" so that we will realize the hold it has. The land relates to the message because the people of South Africa have stop caring for their land and fear has stared to rule. Symbolism helps us readers to visualize and see the message. The value of keeping the land cared for is evident because when Kumalo starts to loose faith and fear for the worst we see little details in the land to show this. "The clouds pour down" rain is a detail people use for sadness and it represents the sadness throughout the land. Kumalo feels different emotions in the novel and the land reacts.
In summary, the land holds and important relationship with Paton's message. The land was once beautiful and cared for; those are the times that Paton mourns to have back. If the people of South Africa continue to treat the land as if it doesn't matter then their culture and tradition will die. The land must have foundation and roots so it can be stable enough for future generations. Paton realized that the mistakes, confusion, and emotions of the people are tied to the land; if they realize this then they will prosper.
Mistakes are made constantly everyday and everywhere. In the novel, the land is described as sacred and peaceful. The natives should "Keep it, guard it, care for it" as Paton says in the novel. It is only right "for it keeps men, guards, cares for men" the natives should tend to the land. Instead the land is broken and misused "the earth has torn away like flesh" the simile compares the brokenness of a human with the land. The mistake the natives make is there misuse of the land, and this is what causes Paton to write and mourn over this mistake.
Nevertheless, Paton does not only use the land to symbolize the peoples mistakes and out them at fault fully. Confusion is represented with the land perspective from Johannesburg. From the people's perspective, they have no choice but too go to Johannesburg. Natives travel to Johannesburg, and Paton says "all roads lead to Johannesburg." The people are leaving their home constantly because they think it's better in the big city. Johannesburg is not a place the people choose or want to live; it's a place where they feel they have to live. The people are confused and think its a place that will give them opportunities. When in reality, it's a chaotic place filled with crime and violence. To succeed, the people must care for and live their lives fully and with wisdom but they don't realize this. The young and foolish move out of town and don't realize that they will suffer. The same way the land suffers when the people use it the wrong way.
Furthermore, we see elements of fear, anger, and guilt in the novel. These emotions show up through the land because whatever the people feel the land reacts off of. Kumalo stinks of fear in almost every page of the novel. Paton alludes to the reader that we shouldn't worry "it is fear in the land" so that we will realize the hold it has. The land relates to the message because the people of South Africa have stop caring for their land and fear has stared to rule. Symbolism helps us readers to visualize and see the message. The value of keeping the land cared for is evident because when Kumalo starts to loose faith and fear for the worst we see little details in the land to show this. "The clouds pour down" rain is a detail people use for sadness and it represents the sadness throughout the land. Kumalo feels different emotions in the novel and the land reacts.
In summary, the land holds and important relationship with Paton's message. The land was once beautiful and cared for; those are the times that Paton mourns to have back. If the people of South Africa continue to treat the land as if it doesn't matter then their culture and tradition will die. The land must have foundation and roots so it can be stable enough for future generations. Paton realized that the mistakes, confusion, and emotions of the people are tied to the land; if they realize this then they will prosper.
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