The most common found motif in Heart of Darkness is darkness. On page 13, Marlow says, "Black shapes crouched, lay, sat between the trees leaning against the trunks, clinging to the earth, half coming out, half effaced with the dim light, in all the attitudes of pain, abandonment, and despair".This quote adds to the tone of being dim and bleak. Marlow is describing his surroundings as being dark and gloomy. However, he is not just describing what he is seeing but he is going in depth about what he is hearing as well. The diction used in this quote is very broad and descriptive.
Nathaniel Hawthorne uses several literary elements while writing “The Scarlet Letter” to carefully craft the novel; such as biblical allusions, symbolism, and personification to portray the flaws of human nature. Biblical allusions are referred to throughout the novel to provide reader with an understanding of the nature of sin. He uses Dimmesdale as the main focus point towards this literary element during his death. Hawthorne also uses symbolism and it is present when the Black Man is mentioned, comparing human nature and the evil that can sometimes overcome it. Finally, personification helps bring out another theme, in which light and darkness show through nature in the book.
These two novels are based on struggles between good and evil. In the novel To kill a Mockingbird on struggle between good and evil is when Atticus finch becomes an attorney for Tom Johnson. An African American accused of raping a 19 year old girl. The reason why this is a problem because the town of Maycomb is very racist So the townspeople of Maycomb think that supporting and standing up for the black man is just wrong. The good is Atticus Finch because he is doing what is right., and the evil are the townspeople because they think Atticus is wrong for standing up, and fighting for a black man.
Also, Crooks is ordered around by everyone because in the 1930s, black people were not as important as white people so a lot of racist language was used against Crooks. Steinbeck goes into detail when describing Crooks' surroundings: 'he had his bunk in the harness room: a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn'. The author tells the reader that Crooks' bunk was 'a long box filled with straw'. Steinbeck uses setting here to enforce Crooks' loneliness and isolation. This shows that Crooks' bunk is linked with the animals because his bunk is filled with straw, just like the animals.
The head visits Simon while he’s alone and tells him that there is evil in everyone. Since the evil is in everyone, it tells Simon that there is no way to escape it and that it will have fun with Simon which seems to pan out to be true being that Simon dies in the next chapter. While talking to Simon the sows head says it is the “lord of the flies” which means Beelzebub the name of an evil demon in the bible. The sow’s head itself may not have a lot of power but it’s the fact that there is a bit of that evil everyone and what someone could do with that evil, is the power. The conch shell is not exactly the light of the book or the heavenly symbol but more of a symbol of civilization.
He decides to try and change his destiny by being a good person. In broad terms he turns to a life with integrity. That for him was not an easy task because he knows, consciously, that he is naturally an evil person. Steinbeck makes sure this struggle is evident because it is the most representative struggle between good and evil in the novel. In East of Eden, Steinbeck makes Cal the main victim of the struggle between good and evil by emphasizing thou mayest.
Throughout the story, Chillingworth acts as torment towards the reverend because of his intent on revenge, only to cause Dimmesdale more struggle and greif. Each character is equally significant in setting up the novel, but perhaps Hawthorne’s most successful manner of communication is the repetition of symbols he utilizes throughout the romance. Such symbols include the scarlet “A”, Pearl, the scaffold in which Hester was punished, and the forest. Although each can be interpreted as individual entities, together the symbols form a larger image about the judgmental and conformist nature of society which causes confusion of identity. The “ignominous letter” that Hester wears is in many ways a specific example of
While Hawthorne frequently uses names to highlight good people, he relies heavily on objects to suggest evil and Satanism. This is particularly emphasized when the staff carried by the old man or devil is thrown down onto the ground and “it assumed life being one of the rods which its owner had formerly lent to the Egyptian Magi” (388). In the Bible, those practicing evil magic could change their rods into serpents. In the same vein, the devil says in his sermon that “Evil is the nature of mankind. Evil must be your only happiness” (392).
As was previously stated, Faith’s pink ribbons symbolize purity and innocence. Equally important as the pink ribbons, is the Devil in the form of an old man. His true identity is revealed when he encounters Goody Cloyse in the forest. As the author says “’ The Devil!” screamed the pious old lady. “Then Goody Cloyse knows her old friend?” observed the traveler confronting her and leaning on his writhing stick.” (5) By making the devil appear in the form of an old man, Hawthorne is suggesting that every person has the capacity for evil.
In the short story, Young Goodman Brown written by Nathanial Hawthorne, the story portrays a man who has an encounter with the devil. In continuation, the story’s theme revolves around the principle of evil infecting people who seem upright; this is demonstrated by the support of symbolism. After Young Goodman Brown encounters evil, he became a stern, sad, sarkly meditative, distrustful and desperate man. For example, the companion who readers can deduce to be the devil claimed, “I helped your grandfather…when he lashed the Quaker woman” and, “…brought your father…to set fire to an Indian village”. Although, Young Goodman Brown had believed his family to be a genuine Puritans who lived honest and righteous lives, the devil informs him that his own descendants were involved with satanic practices.