Introduction
To better explain the primary meanings and ideas of the literary work to the reader, authors employ various literary techniques. One of them is symbolism, which allows for the exploration of unusual story elements. This paper will discuss the relationship between symbolism and “Good People” by David Foster. Symbolism pervades “Good People” and conveys the protagonists’ emotions.
The Story and Symbolism
The story “Good People” by David Foster Wallace was selected for analysis of its symbolism and themes. First, it will be essential to define the notion of symbolism and its basic characteristics in the literature. It is essential to note that the author frequently employs this technique to convey the more profound meaning of their text (Mays 363). In particular, through comparisons, metaphors, and subtle meanings, the author emphasizes the topic’s importance and relevance to the reader.
Often, this approach enables one to highlight the plot’s exceptionally varied details, the characters’ personalities, and other aspects of the literary work (Goldwater 13). Since symbolism is often a subject, it would be interesting to provide a particular example of the difference between simple meaning and symbolism (Jacobs and Kuiken, 23). As Mays states, “unlike an arbitrary symbol such as a letter or traffic sign, a symbol in literature usually carries richer and more varied meanings, as does a flag or a religious image” (362). After defining the symbolism, it is possible to discern its relation to the story’s theme.
Peculiarities of “Good People” and Its Main Characters
Wallace’s story is about two college students in relationships. However, sitting on the bank of the river, each of them understands the need to admit to the other that the feelings are over. However, neither Sheri Fisher, the girl, nor her boyfriend, Lane Dean, dares to take the step. Symbolism is therefore related to the theme of history, allowing the reader to understand the complexity of Sheri and Lane’s senses. In particular, among the story’s main symbolic concepts, it is essential to highlight nature, religion, and certain objects, such as the knife the author uses to convey the characters’ feelings.
Symbolism in Nature, Lake, and Oak
The most crucial concept of symbolism, which is accurate and intimate to the reader, conveys the feelings and condition of the main characters in the story “Good People” and therefore belongs to the work’s theme, nature. This fact is logical, as the characters of Sheri and Lane are situated near the riverbank, surrounded by trees, grass, and other natural elements. Consequently, young people describe their feelings by watching what they see around them. The most important symbols of Sheri and Lane’s senses are the river in front of them and the oak.
At the story’s beginning, the heroes gaze out at a river that slowly flows before them. Both Sheri and Lane draw a parallel between river traffic and their relationships. In particular, the river symbolizes change and the transience of life (Mays 363).
Another important element of symbolism related to the theme of feelings and love between two young people in this story is the presence of trees, particularly oak. The girl often looks at this tree, at the leaves that fall, and thinks about the changes in her heart. Lane draws attention to the tree’s shadow, which shifts with the sun’s position in the sky (Mays 364). Young people sit, hesitant to speak to each other, and nature serves as a symbol of the confusion in their feelings, yet also a testament to the possibility of change.
Symbolism of Things and Physical States
Wallace uses items with particular qualities as essential elements of symbolism. For example, according to Mays, “the worse he felt, the stiller he sat. The whole thing felt balanced on a knife or wire; if he moved to put his arm up or touch her, the whole thing could tip over” (363). This example is illustrative because it effectively conveys the hero’s feelings and allows the reader to understand them more clearly through objective symbolism.
An essential aspect of the symbolism in the history of Good People is the recurring comparison of Lane Dean’s feelings to freezing, a state the protagonist himself experiences. He was freezing, growing increasingly solid, waiting for her to unfreeze him (Mays 363). It is noteworthy that this symbolic state refers to both the inner state of the main characters and their physical inability to move due to the excitement.
Another example of symbolism is the comparison of a guy’s feelings with his body muscles. The author shifts the level of suffering from the emotional to the physical to better reflect Lane Dean’s hopelessness and complexity. In particular, according to Mays, “it felt like a muscle he did not have. He just could not do it” (363).
Another example of comparing the difficulty of expressing the protagonists’ feelings with objects is the statue’s image. Speaking of his inability to tell his girlfriend the truth, Lane describes his condition as a motionless statue that cannot move (Mays 364). Hence, the physical states of Sheri and Lane, such as freezing or muscle paralysis, are meaningful evidence of the close connection between symbolism and the theme of history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to emphasize that symbolism plays a vital and irreplaceable role in the story of young Sheri Fisher and Lane Dean. With its help, the author broadcasts and explains the characters’ feelings. Therefore, it is essential to emphasize that, as a story’s theme, symbolism reveals human nature and the nuances of people’s emotions. Nature and other factors enable the reader to gain a deeper understanding of what young people are thinking and draw parallels with their lives.
Works Cited
Goldwater, Robert. Symbolism. Taylor & Francis, 2018.
Jacobs, Arthur, and Kuiken, Donald. Handbook of Empirical Literary Studies. De Gruyter, 2021.
Mays, Kelly. The Norton Introduction to Literature. W. W. Norton, 2021.