Where The Heart Is Symbolism

Did you know “Writers use symbols to convey ideas, without actually specifying the idea in order to get the reader to contemplate a theme that spans time and its relevance to culture and society” (www.study.com)? In the novel, Where the Heart Is, the author focuses on the symbolism of home. Symbolism is how certain ideas represent other ideas. A home symbolizes many different things. Every person has an opinion of what home means. A home symbolizes four main focuses. These focuses are safety, memories, family, comfort, and dreams. The first focus is how home symbolizes safety. “Home is where you feel safe, secure, and loved” ( www.healthyrelationshipsinitiative.org). This means when people think of home, they feel safe. During storms, people

Regardless of if the memories are good or bad, people symbolize a home to be filled with memories. “It’s the place you were born, took your first step, and made your first friend. In short, it’s a place filled with memories” (What is Home? The Many Definitions of Home (ofhsoupkitchen.org). This means most people associate home with the memories made there. Home is where people start families; therefore, the house is filled with memories of children growing up. When people visit the house, they grew up in, they remember childhood memories. Memories are not always good. Sometimes people think of home with negative memories. Therapists use visiting a childhood home as a therapy technique. This technique is used to confront trauma; therefore, these people symbolize home as negative memories. This is why home symbolizes memories. The third focus is how home symbolizes family. A family is what makes up a home. A home is a place where people are surrounded by loved ones. People associate home with their family. A family usually gathers for birthdays, holidays, and cookouts at home. People symbolize home as the place where family comes together. A lot of families play games or even watch movies at home. Home is where families build bonds and create memories together. Unfortunately, a home that symbolizes family is not always positive. Some tragedies that happen at home cause negative feelings toward family. This is why home symbolizes