43
votes
Accepted
Does Snape talk in code?
We don't know, but there's a lot of evidence supporting it.
The Language of flowers, or floriography, goes back much further than Victorian times. It was used or alluded to in Shakespeare's plays (...
- 71.1k
32
votes
Accepted
What is the symbolism of Atticus killing the mad dog?
This scene is meant to reveal more about Atticus to Scout. When he kills the mad dog--and does so expertly, with one shot--it shows Scout that there is more to him than a lawyer and a father. He ...
- 4,412
31
votes
Accepted
How can you come out dry from the Sea of Knowledge?
TL;DR: water symbolises knowledge, and all the other correspondences flow1 from there.
If the sea is called the Sea of Knowledge, then what is its symbolic significance? Assuming that what's in the ...
- 71.1k
24
votes
What's the significance of "Oranges and Lemons" in 1984?
Oranges and Lemons is not just a nursery rhyme, it is also a children's dance or game.
Two children place their hands together to form an arch - an arch of sanctuary.
The other children pass under ...
- 2,307
24
votes
Accepted
227 days in Life of Pi, coincidence or symbolical?
Probably symbolic.
I found this interview with Yann Martel, from which two of his answers in particular jumped out at me:
I chose the name Pi because it's an irrational number (one with no ...
- 71.1k
23
votes
Accepted
Why were these animals used to represent the different countries in Maus?
First of all, let me just point out two things which it may be useful to bear in mind when considering how seriously to take this answer: whether I'm overanalysing or underanalysing here.
Firstly, ...
- 71.1k
23
votes
Accepted
Is there any textual evidence that this death in Deathly Hallows symbolized the end of childhood?
WARNING: Spoilers ahead.
(Emphasis mine on all quotes below)
Why was Hedwig killed anyway?
Other than the twitter link provided in the question, Rowling gave a fuller explanation in an interview (full ...
- 6,198
22
votes
Accepted
What's the significance of "Oranges and Lemons" in 1984?
This is really more of an extended comment, than an answer. But my feeling about that rhyme is that part of the reason why Orwell used it in the story, was as another example of Winston being "...
- 494
21
votes
Is Judaism represented in the Narnia books?
Note: This does not in ANY WAY represent my own religious views.
It's possible that C.S. Lewis meant for the Dwarfs to represent the Jews. At the end of The Last Battle, the Dwarfs refused to be '...
- 23.3k
20
votes
What is the symbolism of Atticus killing the mad dog?
It foreshadows the death of Ewell in a way:
When the dog, who has been around for a long time, becomes a real threat to the children, the shooting skills of Atticus, which haven't been seen for many ...
- 6,862
20
votes
What's the significance of "Oranges and Lemons" in 1984?
The song represents the successful eradication of shared English culture by The Party. It's a nursery rhyme the majority of British people would be familiar with, but in 1984 characters can only ...
- 21k
19
votes
Accepted
What is the "Neon god" in "The Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel?
The "neon god" is obviously the sign pictured earlier in the song. But why is it a god?
The sign is a god because people made it a god ("the neon god they made"). In praying and bowing to the sign, ...
- 4,412
19
votes
Does Snape talk in code?
As stated in this same question on Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange, J. K. Rowling has never said anything stating whether or not this was intentional. We only have speculation to go on, ...
- 23.3k
18
votes
Who does the cat represent in Animal Farm?
Yes. In the words of Jesse McDevitt-Irwin:
suggests that she could represent the educated of Russia, more specifically, the educated who did not believe that communism was the correct path. She also ...
- 6,588
17
votes
Symbolism of Albus Dumbledore's name in Harry Potter
Albus
As you state, Albus translates to "white", which was a nod to alchemy:
Colours also played their part in the naming of Hagrid and Dumbledore, whose first names are Rubeus (red) and ...
- 3,926
17
votes
Does Snape talk in code?
On a Pottermore article ("Lily, Petunia, and the Language of Flowers") this is written:
If his first words to Harry are anything to go by, the language of flowers suggests that Snape deeply regrets ...
- 4,412
15
votes
What did "Moloch" represent in Allen Ginsberg´s poem "Howl"?
The first and second parts of Howl are, in a way, a question and an answer. One cannot read the terrible things that happened to real people and not think, "Why were these brilliant thinkers ...
- 5,864
15
votes
Was Rand al'Thor supposed to be a symbol for Jesus?
From an interview here:
Q: How much of Jesus Christ is there in Rand? We have the wounded palms, side wound, crown of swords... How representational of Jesus Christ is Rand?
ROBERT JORDAN: ...
- 4,412
14
votes
Who does the cat represent in Animal Farm?
The cat does have significance, but it's hard to say who exactly she represents.
She skulks around and doesn't do any work, votes for both sides, and makes people satisfied enough that she never ...
- 4,412
14
votes
What is the symbolism of the conch in Lord of the Flies?
The conch symbolizes leadership and civilization throughout the story. In the beginning, Ralph uses it as an extension of his power. For example from the first chapter after he is elected.
Ralph ...
- 6,588
14
votes
Accepted
Why might Robert Frost specify a ' long two-pointed ladder' in the poem 'After Apple Picking'?
Why a 'long two-pointed' ladder, though? Are there ladders with more or fewer points?
I've spent some time pondering this aspect of your question. Ladders are not generally pointed at all, but ...
- 18.6k
13
votes
Accepted
Symbolism of Albus Dumbledore's name in Harry Potter
The last name is actually not that fancy. As this old interview with Rowling states:
How did you decide what to name your characters and places?
I collect unusual names. I have notebooks full of them....
- 1,031
13
votes
Accepted
What does the raven symbolize (besides death)?
I don't believe the Raven symbolizes death at all, but rather life, in grief of having to live after a loved one is dead. As Poe himself put it in his essay Philosophy of Composition:
The reader ...
- 5,028
13
votes
Accepted
What does a dog barking at a crow signify?
It doesn't appear to be symbolic at all; a dog barking at a crow is merely an annoying sound that she would rather listen to.
Crows are notorious for teasing other animals. I mean... look at this!
...
- 23.3k
13
votes
Accepted
Why is Sergeant Shadwell obsessed with nipples?
Sergeant Shadwell is looking for one of the traditional signs of witchcraft.
That is, the answer to the question, “Is there actually a traditional connection between witchcraft and nipples” is yes.
...
- 808
12
votes
Why are Orcs associated with the colors red, yellow, and black in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings?
First, it is not yellow that is evil, it is gold, and not always.
Yellow is in fact more commonly associated with positive things than negative in Tolkien's work. The Sun is the Yellow Face and ...
- 808
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