Symbolism in Hardys Essay Example for Free

Symbolism in Hardys Essay Symbolism in Hardys Far from the madding crowd Hardy uses striking symbolism in the novel Far from the madding crowd to serve his purposes and attain the desired effects on the reader. The memorable descriptions of the great barn, the sword play and the storm-are all enriched with eloquent symbolism. It makes the events vivid before us and broadens the scope of the novel. In the opening chapters, Gabriel spies on Bathsheba ridiculously from behind a hedge, commenting on her vanity. He beholds Bathsheba though a hole, tending her aunts cows, in a birds eye view. From the loopholes of his hut, he watches her engaging in tomboyish antics on her horse. All these symbolize Gabriels limited view point and his candid nature. In chapter 2 ,, Hardy presents a magnificent description of Norcombe hill. The stately progress of the earth is contrasted to oaks special power of quiet energy. The innocent and helpless stirrings of the new-born lamb and the movements of the stars and the earth are contrasted to symbolize the frailty of human existence. In chapter 5, The landscape of Norcombe Hill seems symbolize Gabriels utter despair. The moon takes the form of an attenuated skeleton and the pool shimmers like ahead mans eye-nature seems to intertwine with Gabriels despair. Against the colorless background of the river and the wall. Fanny is contrasted as a mere shade upon the earth. This symbolizes her nullity and despair. Hardy also uses the framing device to symbolize Fannys weakness. She gazes up to converse with Troy framed in a window of his barracks . The white color of the snow mixing with the sky symbolizes the obsession of Boldwoods passion . The queer preternatural inversion of light and shade reflects the absurdity of his intense emotional state. The sheep-shearing scene at the barn abounds in rich symbolism. The shearing operations that have not been mutilated for long years are contrasted to the adapted to changes coming to the lives of the main characters of the novel. The detailed descriptions of the activities done in the great barn for each sheep symbolizes the declining prospects of Oak, the rising hopes of Boldwoods mind and the comments made by the rustics -all basing on the same lady. There is also sexual symbolism in this same chapter. The appalled ewe is subdued by Oak and Bathsheba regards the ewes sheared pink skin resembles a lady who blushes at the insult . the ewe emerging from the its fleece is compared to the Goddess of love which symbolizes the sexual intensity of Oaks violent passion. Gabriel, piqued by Bathshebas growing intimacy with Boldwood, injures a sheep in the groin-the entire scene symbolizes Oaks harmful sexual impulses toward Bathsheba. Troys spur entangles with Bathshebas dress-it symbolizes the trap of flattery which would be prepared by Troy for her. The spur is the symbol of sex and the dress of Bathsheba is a symbol of femininity -the male aggressive masculinity has trapped femininity. However, the scene of the sword play contains the greatest symbolism in the novel. The hollow in which the sword play is performed evokes the sexual potential of the relationship between Troy and Bathsheba. The setting is described with rich feminine imagery that sets up the erotic tone of the entire tone of the entire scene while Bathsheba herself is passionately excited . Time and place are made clear at once and so is Bathshebas desire for male domination . The sword is used here as a symbol of male virility . At different points ,Hardy uses striking imagery to link man and sword -Troy raises the sword amid the fading sunlight , which gleamed a sort of greeting, like a living thing Troy is methodical and controlled ,the whole atmosphere is turned meteoric and charged . Troy demonstrates the murderous and blood-thirsty cuts of which the sword is capable . Then he splits a caterpillar upon her bosom which glisten towards her bosom and ,seemingly entered it . Troy wins and Bathsheba is quite overcome having her passions spent . Troy takes off her lock of hair as a trophy. Troy departs in a flash , like a brand . The simile symbolizes the harmful nature of the passion he has aroused. The storm scene in chapter 36-38 contain rich symbolism. The flashes symbolize the blinding truth of Bathshebas predicament and her womanish folly. But the relation between her and Oak strengthens as the thatch begins to conceals the Ricks. And when the storm comes, it is described with extended imagery ,the mailed army of lightning springs like a serpent , with the shout of a fiend . Hardy uses such imagery to convey the forces of nature hostile to human beings . The scene of chapter 44 is significant as it indicates Bathshebas return to the same hollow where sword-play was performed by Troy. The aforesaid hollow is now turned into a malignant swamp. The swamp is the symbol of utter despair into which Bathsheba has fallen . The symbolism goes far deeper as Bathsheba had seen the place before when she was captivated by Troy at the sword play. At that time , the ferns were soft , feathery arms caressing her feet but now they are withering fast and the hollow is a nursery of pestilences . The two different states of the hollow reflects the two opposing states of mind and suggests the outcome of marriage with Troy . Now she has understood the implications of her marriage and she herself and Nature are fused as the leaves rush away in the breeze. This symbolizes Nature as a stark force and implies that the parallel between Nature and human mood should not be pursued by man.