The Effects of Symbols on “say Yes”

The Effects of Symbols On “Say Yes”

The author of the short story "Say Yes," Tobias Wolff, uses a number of symbols

to express his different views on racism throughout the story. Wolff uses this literary

device to express a message to his readers. Symbols, something representing something

else by association resemblance or convention, are used efficiently in this short story.

Wolff uses colors to symbolize a hatred for an alternative race in this short story. The

husband more than once makes reference to dark colors which shows the reader that the

husband sees this world in black and white. The husband sees the world as good vs. evil,

white vs. black society. Furthermore, the reference to color in the short story “Say Yes”,

symbolizes the husbands strong dislike for African Americans.

Wolff symbolize the husbands strong dislike for African Americans when the husband

states, “The water had gone a flat gray” (Wolff 518). To some this statement might not

mean much. Wolff’s decision to make reference to dark colors symbolizes the characters

dislike for an alternative race. The choice of dark colors shows it is one of the African

American race. The husband made reference to colors briefly after he and his wife started

discussing differences over the idea of interracial relationships. The heated argument

caused the wife to clean the dishes poorly resulting in dirty dishes. The husband threw the

dishes back into the sink and the water seemed to turn a “flat gray” (Wolff 518). The

husbands only description was of the dark water in the sink. Wolff again indirectly shows

the husbands feelings towards African-Americans through symbolism. This symbol

contributes to Wolff’s message or theme showing the husband’s strong dislike for African

Americans.

After the author uses this symbolization of a “flat gray”, the wife “plunged her hands

under the surface” (Wolff 518) and cut her finger on the silverware. She then cries out as

her thumb bleeds from the cut. The husband immediately rushes to her need. He acted in

concern for her and hoped she appreciated how quick he rushed to her aid. The cut she

had from the silverware symbolizes the hurt on the inside. The pain from inside was

symbolizing the pain on the inside. Her husband’s inconsiderate feelings