Of Course a Scarring Means Something in Real Life!!

     While reading the twenty-first chapter of "How to Read Literature like a Professor", by Thomas Foster, I wondered if the “symbolic wound” really couldn’t be applied to reality. A light went off telling me that Foster is wrong in a sense. Yes, the wound we may receive in actual reality does not mean we are destined to save the world and end world hunger, but it certainly makes those few stand out from the rest of society. It gives the actual person in reality to defy the odds or statistics. Think about it! You hear success stories about how, oh say, the kid with no arms learned how to play the piano, WELL, with his feet! Does this not sound like a story? Life in the real world may not be an actual story, but it most definitely can seem like one at times. No, again, the wound does not mean you are undoubtedly destined for greatness, but I believe it makes it so that those with the wound work harder in order for greatness to become them. The wound, in my opinion, does have a symbolic meaning and an actual purpose. The wound or permanent scaring gives you the option to defy your odds and succeed in life, or allow life and people to bring you down and use the scar as an excuse.

     For most situations, it can be safe to say that most authors create stories based off their experiences in life. Keeping that in mind, wouldn’t one assume that an author got the idea of the “symbolic wound” from a past experience in actual reality? One shouldn’t think so squarely when thinking about symbolism. So, again, I believe that the wound is a mark of greatness. Using Foster’s example, who would ever think that Quasimodo would stand up to anyone. He’s ugly and has a hunched back that probably prevents him from doing the daily tasks that are easier for the rest of us to do. Does he use that as an excuse? I don’t think so. He at first allows the townspeople to be detrimental to his self-esteem, but soon her overcomes their torture and stands us for himself. Can this fictional reality not be said for actual reality? Some may allow their shortcomings to deter them from their goals, but others will fight and prove the people that laughed wrong. This is the gift of the “symbolic wound”. Saying that the “symbolic wound” can’t be applied to actual reality is false. In the real world, the wound has different standards.

    The standards that life gives scaring is far less emphasized than the scaring in actual literature, but I think you get my point. All in all, I think this makes things more interesting. People become great because they defy their odds, yes, but what makes it even better is the fact that they were overlooked. They slowly grow so the whole world may see them shine. The gift of the “symbolic wound” is by far the best motivator, in my opinion of course.