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Symbolism In The Third And Final Continent

Decent Essays

“Memories are inside me-they’re not things or a place-I can take them anywhere.” writes Olivia Newton-John. Memories are significant in the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, as well as in the two pieces of literature, The Third and Final Continent by Jhumpa Lahiri and The Art of Resilience by Hara Estroff Marano. In the novel, Speak, horrific memories give Melinda troubling conflicts. The text in The Third and Final Continent, little things symbolize big changes in people’s lives. Finally, The Art of Resilience states that one’s memories are used to seek hidden powers inside themselves, which may show a recurring message. In each of the passages, memories show recurring messages, symbolize growth, and show character conflicts. The …show more content…

The symbolism deals with the main character’s memories letting them grow and change. In Speak, Melinda has to spend her whole year in art attempting to draw the perfect tree. The tree symbolizes growth, due to the fact that trees grow as well as the fact that with practice, her tree became perfect. “I’m seeing a lot of growth in your work. You are learning more than you know.” (Anderson, 121) says Melinda’s art teacher. Melinda’s own growth made her realize that she needed to finally tell someone her old flashbacks, instead of keep them all inside. Melinda realized that her peer Rachel was in danger. Andy Evans did traumatizing things to Melinda, she knew that if she did not warn Rachel, the same things may happen to her. Therefore, Melinda spoke up. In The Third and Final Continent the corn flakes symbolize change. The cornflakes were his first real meal in America. The cornflakes symbolize him attempting to change. “In the end I bought a carton of milk and a box of corn flakes. This was my first meal in America.” He is not used to American food and tradition. In both of the passages the characters grow and change. The man used the cornflakes to let him begin to change culture. His old memories allowed him to make the change. Likewise, Melinda’s tree symbolized her growth. She grew as a person throughout the passage. She used her memories to her advantage, which lead her to grow. They use their memories to allow themselves to

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