A Time to Keep: Style and Technique: Symbolism

A Time to Keep: Style and Technique: Symbolism

Overview of Symbolism:

• Symbolism is a central aspect of George Mackay Brown’s narrative technique in “A Time to Keep.”
• Brown’s use of symbolism enables a deep, subtextual exploration of key themes within the story.

The Sea as a Symbol:

• One recurring symbol in Brown’s work is the sea.
• The sea in “A Time to Keep” represents the constant nature of change, an inevitable fact of human existence.

The Clock as a Symbol:

• The clock is another significant symbol utilised by Brown.
• It could be interpreted as a portrayal of relentless time, bringing change and enforcing mortality.

Bess’s Shawl as a Symbol:

• The object of Bess’s shawl holds strong symbolism within the narrative.
• It represents Bess’s lingering influence in life and death, symbolising her continuing presence and the protagonist’s ongoing longing for her.

Bess as a Symbol:

• The character of Bess herself is symbolic, embodying ethereal love that transcends the apparent finality of death.

Utilisation of Symbolism in the Wider Narrative:

• Overall, Brown’s deployment of symbolism enriches the text’s thematic depth, enhancing its exploration of longing, mortality, change, and love.
• In analysing “A Time to Keep,” it is beneficial to identify and understand the use of symbolism to grasp the profound messages embedded within the seemingly ordinary circumstances presented in the story.