Style and Technique: Symbolism
Style and Technique: Symbolism
Symbolism of the Land
- In Sunset Song, the land of Kinraddie itself is a significant symbol representing tradition, continuity, and the unending struggle and hardship of the farming life.
- The land, specifically the farm of Blawearie, is also symbolic of the characters’ attachment to their rural Scottish roots and their sense of self.
- The beautiful descriptive passages about the fields, farms, and landscapes serve as a backdrop to accentuate the characters’ emotions and experiences.
Symbolism of English and Scottish language
- There is a striking use of symbolism based on the ‘two Chrises’ centred on language use - the Scottish Chris, who is emotionally connected with the land and traditions and the English Chris, who is more educated and progressive.
- Language use is seen as a symbol of cultural identity and conflict in Chris Guthrie’s character. She is torn between her traditional Scottish ancestry and the modern, English-speaking world she is introduced to through education.
Symbolism of the Old and New
- The frequent symbolic contrast between old and new, the past and the future, the traditional and the modern is essential in understanding the changing societal structures and internal conflicts faced by characters, particularly Chris and Will.
- Childhood memories, particularly about her mother, are symbolic of the old ways, the traditional Scottish life while books, education, and Ewan symbolise the new and future.
Symbolism of Seasonal Changes
- Seasonal changes, especially the onset of spring and winter, are symbolic of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth - a poignant parallel to the characters’ personal growth and the societal progression in Kinraddie.
- Interestingly, important events in Chris’ life align with the changing seasons; spring represents growth, birth and new beginnings while winter signifies death, endings and hardships.
The Symbolism of Songs
- Lastly, the “sunset song” that the novel’s title refers to is a poignant symbol of the end of a day, the end of an era, and the transition into the darkness of the unknown.
- It infers to the melancholic acceptance of the changes, the fading away of old ways and traditions, and the unfolding of a new, uncertain era.
In Sunset Song, Gibbon’s expert layering of symbolism contributes heavily to the depth of characterisation, plot development, and the thought-provoking thematic discussions. It helps in understanding the societal and cultural milieu of the time. Having a grasp of these significant symbolisms will allow a better reading, analysis, and appreciation of the novel.