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Symbolism In The Old Man At The Bridge

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Ernest Hemingway’s short story “The Old Man at the Bridge” is a masterpiece. Set during the Spanish Civil War, Hemingway’s tale is a masterpiece of conciseness and verbal economy, and the plight of the defenseless old man who is “without politics” clearly demonstrates the author’s condemnation of the senseless brutality and destructiveness of modern war. In this brief glimpse of war, Hemingway weaves several important symbols into the story to enhance his theme and point out the tragically ironic features of war’s ability to destroy even the most innocent creatures in its wake. The story’s most obvious symbol is the bridge itself. The nameless old man of the title has walked over six miles from his home in San Carlos and now finds himself exhausted at the foot of the bridge over the Ebro River. There he is met by the narrator, a scout for the anti-fascist forces, and warned to move along. …show more content…

Unlike the warring factions, the old man feels compassion for those who are not equipped to survive the massive destruction about to be unleashed. The significance of the old man’s birds is heightened when the narrator asks the old man if he left “the dove cage unlocked”. By referring to the pigeons as doves, the narrator is alluding to the traditional symbolism of the dove as a bird of peace and innocence. In such an environment of hatred and carnage, these symbols of peace have no place and must “fly” or face death. The narrator also points out that the story is set on Easter Sunday, a Christian holiday meant to celebrate Christ rising from the dead. The irony is apparent; no one will rise from the dead, only join the dead, when the shells begin to rain down and the skies clear to allow the fascist bombers to make their runs. Easter is symbolically viewed as a highly anticipated, welcome time of rebirth, renewal, and possible

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