Symbolism in Catch 22 and Scarlet Letter
... According to Jack Tressider, " Symbolism is the emotional or spiritual heightening of an object, graphic form or ritual action that may be simple in itself. ... Symbols are use to reinforce the ideas and themes in Joseph Hellers Catch- 22 and Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter. Catch-22 is a satirical book about World War two or more specifically, a comment on the military. ... Even though the story may appear chaotic it is actually put together in a way that emphasizes Catch-22s themes and ideas. These themes and ideas are also reinforced with symbols found throughout Catch-22. ... Each and every character in Catch-22 represents something. ... Through the symbolism of these characters and many others Catch-22s themes and ideas become more tangent. ... These objects also augment the themes and ideas of Catch-22. ... " (4) These objects are just a few of the symbols existing that support themes found in Catch-22. ... The concept of catch-22 brings feelings of hopelessness. ... The cruelty is in the fact that the catch probably doesnt even exist but everyone believes it does, so it does. No one can escape for the catch and theres always a catch in Catch-22. Another book that establishes and enhances themes and ideas through symbols is Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter. Characters, objects and the title are used here as they were in Catch-22. The symbolism runs a little deeper in The Scarlet Letter. Some of the symbols found, have a meaning outside of the story that actually brings a greater understanding of the themes and ideas in The Scarlet Letter. ... Being aware of this, Hawthorne chose to manipulate symbols to add deeper meaning to The Scarlet Letter. ... Hawthorne let his characters become illustrative of the themes and ideas he was exploring with The Scarlet Letter. ... The symbolization in The Scarlet Letter doesnt end with the characters. ... He has committed a self- flagellation by scrubbing raw a letter "A" on his chest. ... Colours are another way that Hawthorne employs symbolism. ... The scarlet letter "A" that Hester is condemned to wear represents her punishment, in puritan society, of adultery. ... This also provides the letter with another meaning. ... Catch-22 and The Scarlet Letter both do this.