Metaphors and symbols in Rushdie's "In the South"

Similes 

A simile makes a direct comparison to show the similarities between two different things. It uses words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’ to make the comparison ( Literary Devices, 2017) . This story has numerous examples of similes like; when Senior asks D’Mello why he would not go back to Mumbai, he says that he would “…die there with sour fruits like you” (Rushdie, 2009) this is a simile because D’Mello directly likens Senior to sour fruits. The writer describes the way the two old men emerged from their verandas “…almost at the same moment, like characters in an ancient tale trapped in fateful coincidences…” (Rushdie, 2009) which is a direct comparison. 

Metaphors 

A metaphor is a phrase that makes an implied comparison between two objects that are unrelated but share a similar characteristic. Unlike similes, metaphors do not use ‘like’ or ‘as’ to make the comparison (Underwood, 2017). In the text, V. Senior describes his family as “… a family of mosquitoes…a buzzing swarm, and love was their itchy bite.” (Rushdie, 2009) He does not mean that his relatives are mosquitoes but that they as many as like a swarm of mosquitos and that their caring for him was as irritating as a mosquito bite. Another example of a metaphor is when Senior regrets not saying anything about his relationship with Junior to his second wife where he says, “He was my shadow…and I was his.” (Rushdie, 2009) A shadow is shade formed when an opaque object blocks light. Therefore, a human being would most likely be the opaque object and not the shadow. A shadow cannot be detached from its object, and it imitates the actions of the object. Senior uses this metaphorically to mean that they were as close as a person is to his shadow. Wherever a person goes and whatever they do, their shadow follows them. 

Symbolism 

Symbolism refers to the use of objects, actions, events or words to represent ideas by assigning them deeper meanings than their actual definitions (Thomas, 2017). The two men are symbolic representations used to show the meanings of life and death from two viewpoints. Junior is jubilant as is described by both senior and the author as a man still waiting to live while Senior on the other hand always professes his wish to die. Their adjacent verandas signify how life and death are parallel to each other because despite their differences one man dies while the other lives (Rushdie, 2009). Death and life are also opposites as demonstrated by the endless arguing of the two men. It shows that while for some life is about what one has lost, for others it is about what they can achieve. Junior did not achieve much in his life, but he remains hopeful and loves the company of D’Mello because it makes him feel young again. On the contrary, while senior had a fulfilling life he is unhappy in his old age and hates the company of the people that take care of him perhaps because they remind him what he has lost (Rushdie, 2009). 

The Tsunami that follows junior’s death is symbolic of the unexpected twists and turns that life takes. While senior had been looking forward to death, he lives and watches the tsunami kill so many that probably preferred to live than he (Rushdie, 2009). The tsunami also symbolizes death and how it is perhaps unfair in its wake as it takes life from those that have so little and leaves those with abundance to have more. The Tsunami spared the young lovers and friends who could afford leisure time at the beach but took the fishermen who had so little. Death also took people like D’Mello and Junior who had so little material possessions but so much hope but left Senior who had abundance regarding family and care (Rushdie, 2009). 

References 

Literary Devices. (2017). Simile - Examples and Definition of Simile. Retrieved from https://literarydevices.net/simile/ 

Rushdie, S. (2009).  In the south . 

Thomas, S. (2017). What is Symbolism in Literature? - Definition, Types & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com. Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-symbolism-in-literature-definition-types-examples.html 

Underwood, A. (2017). Metaphors. Retrieved from https://www.grammarly.com/blog/metaphor/