Rain as a Symbol

 

All week-long rain has been in the weather forecast for the mornings, afternoons, and evenings, making it rather difficult to find an appropriate to where one's grass is dry enough to mow.

What is interesting here to me is that RAIN as a symbol in literature can be both positive and negative depending upon with the author is trying to convey to their readers.

Rain represents:

• purification
• renewal
• cleansing
• a fresh start
• growth

Rain also represents:

• sadness
• despair
• destruction
• death
• emotional turmoil

What to look for when reading literature is how the author uses the rain symbol.  For instance, the novel can begin with a flood that creates mass death and destruction, setting the reader up for a rebuilding scenario among other ideas.

Another characteristic is when the author has it raining constantly throughout the story where there are very few passages where there is no rain at all.  The reader is subconsciously influenced towards despair and depression intentionally.

Most of the people who are reading on a regular basis don't spend time dwelling on symbols and what they mean...  they are just interested in reading a story that is entertaining and keeps their attention.

With all that rain in my life this week, one would think I would be in despair or depression as I look for a break from raining.  The reality is that the rain has not bothered me at all, other than paying attention to the weather outside so I can find a time to mow.

HOWEVER, if I was at the coastline during the summer months and the week I was there, it rained almost every day, I would have instantly become an unhappy camper.  When I go the coast, I want to be outside under an umbrella watching the waves and listening to books on tape.