Throughout history, man has struggled with his search for faith in God since man lacks verifiable proof of God’s existence. Writers also are challenged by how to represent God in literature if God neither speaks, nor is made visible in their texts. Willa Cather in O Pioneers! uses symbolism to evoke the presence of God in her novel. Cather’s effective use of symbols to indirectly indicate the presence of God, both expresses the strength of her own faith, as well as provides tools and inspiration others might use in their personal search.
In “The White Mulberry Tree” from O Pioneers!, the author uses various symbols, both visible as well as invisible, to illustrate the impact of the presence of God on her characters. For example, in the scene where the townsfolk
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The next two examples of Cather’s use of symbolism to portray the presence of God involve references to both literal and figurative light. God has often been associated with light in literature. The common expression, “to see the light” can mean that a man understands something now clearly, that he had been confused about previously. However, it can also imply a kind of religious conversion, when a man has finally felt the impact of God. When Cather writes, “He felt as if a clear light broke upon his mind,” the author implies that Emil had been touched by God and had found peace from his inner turmoil. Cather in this quote suggests that Emil was spiritually transported through an emotional fog by the song “Ave Maria.” The “clear light” in this quote figuratively illuminates a new presence of God in Emil’s soul. Emil in experiencing this “clear light,” had