Liar Liar
Kieu-Giang Nguyen
American Literature
Ms.Clark
September 09, 2014
Liar Liar Essay
Symbolism is one of the most common and powerful literary devices. It helps revel the characters and develop the themes of the work. Ian Macmillan has successfully made use of symbolism in the short story "Liar Liar". The heron and the camera are the most vital symbols of all, which help provide a deeper meaning of the story. While the heron represents for the wealthy families, the camera embodies new hope, new outlook, and these two symbols both convey the message about the role of family in the life.
The heron described in the story "Liar Liar" is a significant symbolism of the upper class in society. The rigid social classes are reflected through the image of the heron eating the baby mynahs. After pondering on the family's financial problems, the picture of the heron appears in Doug's mind. In his opinion, "The reality of it [the world] was kids altering pictures, landlords demanding money, and people falling for his cheap little scam. [...] It was herons and baby mynahs, and the baby mynah got no help. The strong ate the weak, and that was life (12)". The heron symbolizes the moneyed people while the mynah illustrates the lower class, specifically the Hawaiians. In this world, people have to stand up on their own feet. The cycle of life is always repeated: the strong overwhelms the weak, where power is measured by the status in society. There is such a huge gap between these two classes that the rich ones have no empathy for the poor’s. When Doug and his family go to Safeway, they meet a lady who was deceived in one of their previous scams. She recognizes Doug, and tries to make a scene by pretending to question him and his mother: "Is there a reason we couldn't find Mahealani Lane?" (15) [...] "By the way, where is Our Redeemer Church?" [...] "So what is it next week? Portuguese sausage? How much that would be?" (16). In the well-off people's eyes, the poor ones are
American Literature
Ms.Clark
September 09, 2014
Liar Liar Essay
Symbolism is one of the most common and powerful literary devices. It helps revel the characters and develop the themes of the work. Ian Macmillan has successfully made use of symbolism in the short story "Liar Liar". The heron and the camera are the most vital symbols of all, which help provide a deeper meaning of the story. While the heron represents for the wealthy families, the camera embodies new hope, new outlook, and these two symbols both convey the message about the role of family in the life.
The heron described in the story "Liar Liar" is a significant symbolism of the upper class in society. The rigid social classes are reflected through the image of the heron eating the baby mynahs. After pondering on the family's financial problems, the picture of the heron appears in Doug's mind. In his opinion, "The reality of it [the world] was kids altering pictures, landlords demanding money, and people falling for his cheap little scam. [...] It was herons and baby mynahs, and the baby mynah got no help. The strong ate the weak, and that was life (12)". The heron symbolizes the moneyed people while the mynah illustrates the lower class, specifically the Hawaiians. In this world, people have to stand up on their own feet. The cycle of life is always repeated: the strong overwhelms the weak, where power is measured by the status in society. There is such a huge gap between these two classes that the rich ones have no empathy for the poor’s. When Doug and his family go to Safeway, they meet a lady who was deceived in one of their previous scams. She recognizes Doug, and tries to make a scene by pretending to question him and his mother: "Is there a reason we couldn't find Mahealani Lane?" (15) [...] "By the way, where is Our Redeemer Church?" [...] "So what is it next week? Portuguese sausage? How much that would be?" (16). In the well-off people's eyes, the poor ones are