Irp Notes Package: Allusion, Symbolism, And Motifs

1728 words - 7 pages

Allusion
Coetzee alludes often in his writing to literature, historical events and figures, classical mythology and pop culture. These allusions often hold a great deal of sub-textual information. The following is an analysis of two of the more significant allusions.
The youngest member of the trio of thieves that steal from the Luries and rape Lucy is named Pollux. This is likely an allusion to the Greek myth, Castor and Pollux. Castor and Pollux are half-brothers. Their myth involves in part the kidnapping and rape of the Leucippides, Phoebe and Hilaeira, who become pregnant as a result of the rapes. This aspect of the myth is very similar to the plotline of Disgrace as Lucy (note the phonetic similarity between Lucy and Leucippides) becomes pregnant when Pollux and his quasi-brothers rape her. Furthermore, the myth of Castor and Pollux culminates with Idas- the fiancé of one of the Leucippides- trying to kill Pollux. Pollux is saved when Zeus (his father) intervenes and kills Idas. This again is similar to the plotline of Disgrace when Lurie is trying to get Pollux arrested, but Petrus (Pollux’s father- figure) protects him by withholding his personal information. (139)
Another significant allusion that Coetzee makes is to Lord Byron and his lover Teresa, Countess Guiccioli. This allusion happens several times through the beginning and middle sections of the novel, but it is really featured closer to the end. Indeed, near the end of this novel, the allusion to Byron becomes an aspect of the plot. This allusion is significant because Byron comes to symbolize Lurie. We see this in three ways. Firstly, they share similar characteristics. They are both scholars of the English language. They are both immersed in romantic ideologies which they use to justify their prurience and promiscuity. Secondly, they both take to preying on younger women. Lurie is involved with Melanie (30 year age gap) and Byron was involved with Teresa (14 year age gap). Thirdly, the change in Lurie’s perceptions about Teresa mirrors the change in Lurie’s sexual habits. Initially, Lurie plans to write a show about a “passionate young” (181) Teresa who falls in love with a “now less than passionate” (180) older Byron. In this scenario, Teresa symbolizes Melanie. However, later on in the novel Lurie changes the premise of his show, making it instead about a “Teresa in middle age” (181). The description of this older Teresa as a “dumpy” woman with a “heavy bust” and “stocky trunk” is quite similar to the first description we get of Bev Shaw as a “dumpy, bustling little woman with black freckles, close-cropped, wiry hair, and no neck.” (72). As the change in Teresa’s character occurs after Bev and Lurie sleep together, the older Teresa likely symbolizes Bev Shaw.

Symbolism
Lurie’s relationship with Melanie symbolizes the relationship between colonists and Indigenous people. As I stated in my response to question 3, the relationship between Lurie and Melanie...

Symbolism and Allusion in Langston Hughes' The Negro Speaks of Rivers

740 words - 3 pages Symbolism and Allusion in Langston Hughes' The Negro Speaks of Rivers In Langston Hughes' poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", he examines some of the roles that blacks have played throughout history. Ultimately, the poem asserts that in every one of these aspects the black people have been exploited and made to suffer, mostly at the hands of white people. The poem is written entirely in first person, so there is a very personal tone, even

Symbolism, Themes, and Motifs in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird

1817 words - 7 pages up in a small town that was much like Maycomb County. Like Jem and Scout, Lee’s father was also a Lawyer. In her novel, Harper Lee uses many examples of symbolism, themes, and motifs to tell the story of Scout growing up and learning life lessons in a sleepy town in Alabama. Symbols are used to portray concepts. Lee uses multiple examples of symbolism in the novel. The mockingbird became the main symbol throughout the novel when Atticus tells

STUDY NOTES: THE ENGLISH TEACHER BY R.K. NARAYAN What themes are central to the novel? How can the complex symbols and motifs used be deciphered?

757 words - 3 pages English. He idolizes Carlyle, Milton and Shakespeare and as a poet, his language of choice is English and not his native Tamil.SYMBOLS AND MOTIFS:-Jasmine-Lotus-Bamboo•Jasmine is a powerful motif and symbol in the novel. The Jasmine flower is thought to be a gift from God. Called God's own flower, it is a Hindu symbol of love. The potent scent represents elegance and grace, sensuality and generosity; the white flower represents modesty. The

Christian Allegory in Beowulf

1227 words - 5 pages society of Anglo-Saxon paganism. The poet illustrates the infiltration of the Christian teachings and how they might have appeared within the lives of the people through the literary devices of symbolism, allegory, and allusion. The narrator of “Beowulf” introduces us to the monster that is Grendel in the very first lines of the poem. The speaker describes “a fiend from hell” and speaks of “a cursed creature” whom God has condemned as he is

Socratic Seminar over Song of Solomon - Anderson English 4 - Research paper

570 words - 3 pages Journey, African folklore, meta qualities/storytelling, characterization, setting, point of view, language and style, the structure of the novel, and allusion (Biblical, mythological, and historical). Group 1 will also cover the following motifs: names, mercy, and community. Group 2 will also cover the following motifs: flight, love, and singing. You don’t have to address all of the topics assigned to you, but be prepared to address most of them

Independent Novel Project

1074 words - 4 pages support your answer. Literary Elements In this section, identify at least two examples of literary elements (symbolism, irony, foreshadowing, motifs, allusion, etc.) that your author uses. The examples should be different. Do not provide two examples of the same element. Explain how the literary element is used and its meaning, and then evaluate its effectiveness. I will not accept suspense as one of the elements. Quotations Identify at

The Use Of Litearary Devices In Invisble Man

679 words - 3 pages Various literary techniques were used in this novel, including symbols, allusions, irony, and motifs. According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, symbolism is the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships. This device is used throughout the novel. The erotic dance of the naked blonde (p.19 Invisible

"Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck, one of the greatest American books of our time, explained and dissected

1447 words - 6 pages to the general public in the 1930's and 40's who did not know what happened to the Okies in that time period (Schorer 2). In Steinbeck's novel, The Grapes of Wrath, he uses motifs, symbols, and allusions to get across the agony and sorrow of the people traveling to California during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.An allusion is a literary device that alludes to a past event, which Steinbeck uses constantly to express the point of repression on the

Gary Soto's "The Pie"

589 words - 2 pages chooses his own path, whether it be right or wrong. Much like his literary predecessors, Gary Soto deals with his own confrontation with the inner conscience after committing an act that he considers sinful. In his memoir "The Pie", Soto achieves to warn his audience of obtaining sinful temporary pleasures at the expense of eternal torture of the conscience by employing the use of literary devices such as metaphor, allusion, and motif.To begin

Penetration Pricing

2479 words - 10 pages in the purchase of a good/service (Putler, 1992). This then allows them to go forward and make a purchasing decision. Therefore the IRP is hugely important in converting sales and Putler (1992) notes that it also determines whether the demand curve shifts outwards or inwards. Many researchers believe that consumers from their own IRP by reflecting on past price levels of the good/service. This IRP then marks individual judgement on whether or

It is through the understanding of other people and our relationships with them that we come to understand ourselves and our lives. Discuss. "Tirra Lirra By the River" by Jessica Anderson

1944 words - 8 pages a fictional autobiography rich in self expression and literary devices. The characterization of Nora is intensely complex therefore the author uses a variety of literary techniques in order to enhance the novel's meaning. These include: vivid imagery, metaphors, motifs, structure, contrast of language, tone, symbolism, allusion, and pathetic fallacy. The author Jessica Anderson clearly presents the importance of understanding relationships in

Irp Notes Package Essay

1956 words - 8 pages truly convey what the meaning of ‘disgrace’ is. As with many words in the English language, ‘disgrace’ has a highly elusive nature. This is caused in part by the negative connotations associated with it and, as a result, the subtle nuances that it evokes when used. In the context of the first 50 pages the title could refer to the act and aftermath of the affair that takes place between David Lurie and Melanie Isaacs. In fact, Lurie’s ex

Symbolism And Allusion Essay

1268 words - 5 pages Symbolism and Allusion What major symbols are used? How appropriate is each symbol in its respective poem? How do the poets use the symbols to focus on the problems they present in their poems? Allusions and symbols are critical components of an interesting and understandable poem. Poets rely heavily on them because of the need to economize their words. Poems don't waste words on detailed explanations in order to be understood

Allusion And Symbolism In The Swimmer, By John Cheever

744 words - 3 pages augmenting the artistic and poetic nature of the story. One very important use of symbolism is in the “perverted sacraments” as originally pointed out by Hal Blythe in 1984. Along side these symbols, Hal Blythe, along with Charlie Sweet, later discovered a clear allusion to Ponce de Leòn in 1989. To begin with the symbolism, there are three holy sacraments that have been twisted by Merrill in the story, one of them is directly related to the primary

Symbolism And Allusion In Maya Angelou's My Arkansas

816 words - 3 pages Symbolism and Allusion in Maya Angelou's "My Arkansas" "There is a deep brooding/ in Arkansas." Arkansas is stuck in the past, its memories of hatred and crime from ante-bellum days hindering the progression towards Civil Rights. Maya Angelou's poem of the struggle to a new wave of equality uses both general symbolism and historical allusion to make its theme clear to