Submitted by: Submitted by janeylou613
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Category: Literature
Date Submitted: 07/19/2011 08:25 PM
Usage of Symbols in “Doe Season” by David Michael Kaplan
L.J. Sbardella
The use of symbols in literature can bring a more clear meaning to the reader. In David Michael
Kaplan’s “Doe Season”, the symbols used are all surrounding the main character Andy’s transformation
from childhood to adulthood.
The first symbol used is the woods. In this story this shows Andy’s comfort and innocence in the
woods. “They are a still the same woods, the thought made her feel good” (512), introduced
immediately by Kaplan to show how Andy, a child still, starts in the woods. Giving the
symbolism that Andy is still in the innocence of her childhood. Andy is going hunting with her father,
Charlie Spoon, and Mac. Charlie Spoon feels that Andy shouldn’t be along for the trip, “she’ll just add to
the noise”, (512). Andy, though just nine years old, is a little tomboy and her father agrees that she’s not
as fragile as Charlie and Mac feel she is. Andy is comfortable going along on the hunting trip, as is her
father. Her comfort shows through the woods in how the animals all seem to come to her. “Animals-
Don’t know how she does it, but they come right up to her”. This symbolizes how she’s not afraid. The
animals can sense her innocence and comfort in her surroundings, hence not fearing her and
approaching her.
The ocean is mentioned as a symbol of womanhood, a symbol of what Andy is to become.
Through the flashback of the ocean, it tells the reader hoe Andy is afraid of being there. She was afraid
to go any further that a few feet into the surf. “Her mother swam and splashed with animal-like
delight” (514), showing how comfortable her mother is. This brings Andy closer to her father, since he
too seemed afraid, “held his white arms above the waist –deep water as if afraid to get wet” (514) It’s
as if Andy is still afraid of becoming a woman. Whereas her mother is comfortable as a woman. So she is
fully at ease, even when her suit falls;...