Symbols in Allison's
Symbolic Themes in "Gospel Song" by Dorothy Allison “Gospel Song” contains many complex, subtle analogies. Dorothy Allison, the author, repeatedly brings up the same traditional physical manifestations of specific ideas until they become thematic enough that the reader recognizes the symbolism as intentional. Most of these symbolic themes point to the longing pain and loneliness that is the narrator’s perception of life. I will address three themes that do so directly and two that do so indirectly by referring to Shannon’s body and her death. All these themes are also linked to gospel music, the central symbol of this longing. The story concludes with the narrator recognizing that pure gospel is “absolute hopeless grief” (437). Allison depicts religion as a crutch for hypocrites. Too weak to face the reality of our lonely world, people invent a just, caring God. Therefore, a gospel song, as a petition to this imaginary loving being, epitomizes our hopeless emptiness. Alcohol is a symbol of the ephemeral. Since the story takes place in a small Southern town with a strong Baptist presence, alcohol, which is brought up repeatedly throughout the story, is presented as evil and ungodly. Granny puts a twist on this whe
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Dorothy Allison, Christian Gospel, Gospel Song, Holy Spirit, Chariot Shannon, Pammie Gleasons, LIFT AIR, Horse Cafe, Christianity Allison, Shannon Pearl, gospel song, absolute hopeless grief, holy spirit, real gospel, gospel singer, chicken barbecue, dorothy allison, symbolic themes, absolute hopeless, hopeless grief,
Approximate Word count = 1239
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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