Read the following sentences from "The Youngest Doll." The aunt thought he was listening for the breathing of the prawn to see if it was still alive, and shefondly lifted his hand and placed it on the spot where he could feel the constant movement of thecreature's antennae. The young man released the ruffle and looked fixedly at his father. “You couldhave cured this from the start,” he told him. “That's true,” his father answered, “but I just wanted youto come and see the prawn that has been paying for your education these twenty years."In these sentences, the prawn most likely symbolizes
In these sentences, the prawn most likely symbolizes a burden or sacrifice that the young man's father has carried for his son's education.
In these sentences, the prawn most likely symbolizes the young man's education or the sacrifices made by his father for his education.
In the story "The Youngest Doll," the prawn most likely symbolizes sacrifice or a burden that someone carries for the sake of another person.
To determine the symbolism, we can examine the context and the characters' reactions to the prawn. The aunt thinks that the young man is listening for the prawn's breathing, indicating that it may be seen as something fragile or delicate, potentially representing vulnerability. The aunt's fondly lifting the young man's hand and placing it where he can feel the constant movement of the creature's antennae suggests a sense of connection or intimacy with the prawn.
The young man's response further hints at the symbolism. He releases the ruffle, or disturbance, and focuses his attention on his father. This could indicate that the prawn represents a hidden truth or a long-held secret. The young man's statement, "You could have cured this from the start," suggests that the prawn's condition could have been alleviated or resolved earlier if someone had taken action. This implies that the prawn may represent something that has caused suffering or distress for a long time.
Lastly, the father's response adds another layer to the symbolism. He admits that the prawn has been paying for the young man's education for twenty years, indicating a financial burden or sacrifice made by the prawn. This reinforces the idea that the prawn represents a sacrifice or something that has been endured for the sake of someone else's benefit.
By considering the prawn's fragility, the characters' reactions, and the implication of sacrifice and burden, we can interpret the prawn as a symbol of selflessness, sacrifice, and the hidden costs that one may carry for the well-being of others.