Reflection Essay
Throughout the class, American Literature II, I’ve learned to become a stronger analyzer while reading works of literature by recognizing symbolism used by the author.
Prior to taking this course I could read a book and think I had a firm understanding of its meaning after the initial read through. Now, I realize that I don’t always pick up on the literary aspects of a novel the first or second time reading it. Symbolism is a tool used in most works of fiction, and nonfiction, and can be argued extensively due to the fact that the author doesn’t come straight out and tell you what something is meant to be a symbol for. For example, in my literary analysis of “Fahrenheit 451” I focused on the symbolism used by Ray Bradbury. It took me going through the book three or four times before I picked up on some symbols, such as the salamander and the number 451. Also, the symbolism of fire and it’s ever changing meaning is something that can be missed if the reader is not actively looking for it. By being able to recognize symbolism and in turn, understand the deeper meaning of a story, it allows the book, and its characters, to take on a whole new meaning.
Constructing my literary analysis of “Fahrenheit 451” would have been next to impossible without learning how to recognize symbolism in literature. Even with the basic knowledge of this literary term that I’ve gain from this class, it was still a challenge to compose an entire paper based off symbolism. Thankfully, Bradbury uses symbolism so much in his writing, that after a second and third reading of the book I was able to pick it out more and more. I feel as though the first time I read a book it’s just for a basic understanding of the story and when I read it again after that I can focus more on the literary aspects, which was the case with “Fahrenheit 451”.
Recognizing literary devices, such as symbolism, will make me a strong reader in the future, not just in courses such as this, but in novels I read for pleasure.
Prior to taking this course I could read a book and think I had a firm understanding of its meaning after the initial read through. Now, I realize that I don’t always pick up on the literary aspects of a novel the first or second time reading it. Symbolism is a tool used in most works of fiction, and nonfiction, and can be argued extensively due to the fact that the author doesn’t come straight out and tell you what something is meant to be a symbol for. For example, in my literary analysis of “Fahrenheit 451” I focused on the symbolism used by Ray Bradbury. It took me going through the book three or four times before I picked up on some symbols, such as the salamander and the number 451. Also, the symbolism of fire and it’s ever changing meaning is something that can be missed if the reader is not actively looking for it. By being able to recognize symbolism and in turn, understand the deeper meaning of a story, it allows the book, and its characters, to take on a whole new meaning.
Constructing my literary analysis of “Fahrenheit 451” would have been next to impossible without learning how to recognize symbolism in literature. Even with the basic knowledge of this literary term that I’ve gain from this class, it was still a challenge to compose an entire paper based off symbolism. Thankfully, Bradbury uses symbolism so much in his writing, that after a second and third reading of the book I was able to pick it out more and more. I feel as though the first time I read a book it’s just for a basic understanding of the story and when I read it again after that I can focus more on the literary aspects, which was the case with “Fahrenheit 451”.
Recognizing literary devices, such as symbolism, will make me a strong reader in the future, not just in courses such as this, but in novels I read for pleasure.