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Symbolism In Giants Of The Earth

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Weekly Writing Giants of the Earth by Ole Edvard Rolovaag, displays many forms of symbolism. Some of his symbols relate to Norwegian culture and more broadly, the attitudes of migrants coming to North America for land. The character Beret, is the most emotional character in the book. Throughout the book she deals with a dark depression that causes her to isolate herself, much like Elijah the prophet. Her name, pronounced “Bear-it” is a literal form of symbolism. This name was specifically chosen by the author for her because she bears the most mental and emotional pain in the book. The trolls in Norwegian culture symbolise evil and the supernatural. Trolls are the equivalent of demons in Greek mythology and other religions. When Per …show more content…

When he sees the grave his ownership is challenged and he is forced to recognize that this land had been home to Native people in the past. This figurative symbol shows that there were Natives on the land previously, but it does not make the land theirs. This line of thinking was common among settlers and most of the non-Natives living in America at the time. Peder Victorious has an almost ironic name. Per Hansa sees his son as a victory and one of the many great things that have come out of the plains. Per Hansa has an optimistic view about life on the plains which Beret struggles to figure out. Beret sees the name as shameful proven by her meltdown at the baptism of Peder. Beret sees the birth of her son as a failure because she thinks that life on the prairie is a depressing and torturous one. At the end of the book, Per Hansa dies while looking west. This symbolises his desire to settle in a western region. This can relate on a broader scale to the migration of people from the east coast of the United States to the west coast. The author uses this figurative symbol to show how Per Hansa wanted more for both his family and his

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