Symbolism

Have you ever wondered if authors really meant all the symbolism that English teachers seem to beat out of books? I certainly have. And when I began writing, I wondered even more.

Recently Mental Floss unearthed authors’ responses to high school student Bruce McAllister’s symbolism questions that he mailed to 150 authors in 1963. They revealed a few responses in the article titled “Famous Novelists on Symbolism in Their Work and Whether It Was Intentional.” Long name, but interesting responses. Some of the authors agreed with each other; others gave the opposite response, like Joseph Heller and Ralph Ellison to question 3.

After reading this article, I didn’t have an answer to what the albatross symbolizes, if anything at all, in Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, but I did decide that, as a writer, what I write has to come naturally. If I stumble upon a wonderful symbol to include in a story, I’ll use it! But if not, no problem. It is better to have an excellent, symbol-less work than one with a see-through plot, poor dialogue, clinging to that sickly thought of a symbol unnecessary to create good literature.

Anxiety

 

As we approach the middle of summer, firework season, which for many is better known as dealing-with-terrified-dogs season, is nearing. The tales are common – dogs howling, biting through wire crates, crashing through windows.

 

One of my own dogs, Angel, hides under us and refuses to go outside when the sky darkens, not even to use the bathroom. I’ve tried desensitization with treats, ignoring her calmly, comforting her, pheromones, and thundershirts. Nothing helps. We may try oral drops that use chamomile and other herbs this year, but if it doesn’t work for my cousin’s dog, we may simply struggle through another summer making sure we get Angel out to potty before the sun sets.

What has helped your dog overcome its anxiety? What hasn’t? I’d love to hear about different ways of reducing this anxiety!