Thursday Thoughts #1: It's a Cat....But it isn't

 

"Its' a Cat...." But theoretically, a drawing nor a thought of a thing is not the thing itself.

 One of the many reasons I've fallen in love with literature and poetry is because it challenges to me think and feel about life from new perspectives.  


The simplest example of this is through drawings. A drawing of a cat is not a cat but, we personify it to think it is a cat. 


In literature, this perspective comes in many forms. However, my favorite thing to do is analyze literary symbols and their connection to the piece as a whole. I enjoy discussing literary symbols and I could do so for hours. Symbols in literature have a way of challenging life and develop over time as life changes.

Poetry, on the other hand, is a bit harder for me-- and others I'm assuming to comprehend. Poetry has a way of presenting symbols subtly. You really have to think and dive into the poem in order to find its deeper meaning. 

A great example of strong symbols in poetry presents itself in Robert Frost's "Dust of Snow." 

Dust of Snow

In this classic Frost poem, there are many symbols that can be identified in many ways. 

First, the crow. According to World Birds.com, The crow has various symbols across different cultures and backgrounds. However, for this poem, we have pinned a negative connotation related to death for the crow. 

For the second example, we associate hemlock from the 4th line as a symbol of poison. 

Both symbols correlate with each other as a darker meaning. While negative, it makes sense for that perspective. 

And the overarching theme of this poem with the setting of winter snow could possibly symbolize hope and the lightness of the snow covering or overcoming the darkness. 

I fell in love with literature for this very reason. I love to dig into these symbols and attempt to understand what the author was trying to say or lack thereof. Literature and poetry are two of live's greatest mysteries and I believe we study them in order to develop works further.

Location: Erie, PA, USA

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