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Library's collection Library's IT development CancelThis thesis is about Wiila Gather's symbolism which
is reavealed in her novel Antonia. This topic is
interesting because Gather is a skillful symbolist.
Besides, the study of symbolism will make the readers
understand the story better.
In this paper the thesis writer will only discuss the
major symbols. The analysis of the symbols are written in
chapters 2, 3 and 4.
The symbolical characters will be discussed in
chapter 2. The'/ are Antonia Shimerda, Lena Lingard, Wick
Cutter, Mr. and Mrs. Burden. Antonia represents the
struggle of life, fertility life and unconditional love;
while Lena is the portrayal of the delight of love without
ties or responsibilities. Wick Cutter does not only stand
for evil, but hypocrisy as well. In contrast, with Wick
Cutter, Mr. and Mrs- Burden symbolise kindness and
practical Christian life.
Chapter 3 is about symbolical seasons. Gather uses
all of the seasons as the symbols. Autumn is used as the
embodiment of deterioration in finance and health. Summer
symbolizes happiness and life, while misery and death are
the references of the symbol of winter. And the last,
spring represents a romance which does not lead the
coupl e into marriage.
Finally, the symbolical animals and places will be
analysed in chapter 4. There are two symbolical animals,
the badgers and the rattlesnake. The badgers stand for the
Shimerdas and the rattlesnake is the portrayal of the evil
men, Wick Cutter and Peter Kraj iek. There are? also two
symbolical places. The first is the town of Black Hawk
which symbolizes learning. The second is the prairie which
is used as the symbol of hardship devoid of fun.