Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Symbolism
I think the use of symbolism is something that could be really interesting to discuss. What about Knox Business Machines as Frank’s place of employment? What about Frank’s working place hallmark, Speaking of Production Control, and how that relates to the greater situation in the book? What about Revolutionary Estates and Road? Frank's unfinished stone path? What do you make of the names in the book themselves? Wheeler. Givings. Campbell, Grube (which in German means “hollow cavity, hole”). Brace? Other examples of symbolism you can think of?
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Now, Paul, this is when I realize that you are truely my superior when it comes to book analysis, and all things literature in general.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even think of looking up what "Grube" meant. Did you pick that up from you semesters of German?
I think this is very interesting, and I'm surprised no one has commented on it. It is part of the genious of this book. The part that helped me to keep reading it, even though I didn't have a hero to cheer on. Of course these symbolisms are rather simple, but don't necessarily jump out unless you are trying pick the writing apart.
I feel silling writing it, but of course the Wheelers do nothing but spin their wheels; the path never gets finished because Frank can never finish anything; ect.
I kept trying to figure out what was revolutionary about it. It certainly wasn't that the Wheelers were bohemian. Was it that they were trying to be bohemian while raising kids in the suburbs? It seems to me the revolution was that people were moving to the suburbs and commuting to the city and creating these little neighborhoods away from the city and kidding themselves. Unfortunately for the Wheelers, they got caught up in it and couldn't survive. Was Yates saying that the revolution of the new american dream was killing the bohemian lifestyle?
Maybe it was revolutionary to have an abortion, and for women to want to take conrol over their lives, and go to work, and tell their husbands to stay home. At this time it was uncommon everywhere in the world for women to be the primary money earners, although the Givings seemed to be doing it; currently if not prior to Mr. Givings retirement.
I thought it was terrifically fitting that Frank ended up working at Knox Business Machines. He seemed so disgusted and pitying of his father that going to work there became some sort of badge of honor for him - like he can do it too, but better because he's higher up in the company and yet he doesn't really care about any of it because he's so above it all.
ReplyDeleteAnd then, he suddenly wasn't. Despite himself, he started taking pride in his work, which, in turn, helped him give up the bohemian dream in favor of the comfortable suburbs, which, in turn, means he basically turned into his father.
And don't we all become our parents, eventually?
Frank eventually became part of the machine, even though he continued to Knox (knock) it.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that we do turn into our parents. Certain mannerisms and problem solvings, definately, but not fully. I think that there is that tendency though, although we can overcome it if we are aware.