Question

I'm really getting quite fond of the big room, all but that horrid paper. Out of one window I can see the garden, those mysterious deepshaded arbors, the riotous old-fashioned flowers, and bushes and gnarly trees. Out of another I get a lovely view of the bay and a little private wharf belonging to the estate. There is a beautiful shaded lane that runs down there from the house. I always fancy I see people walking in these numerous paths and arbors, but John has cautioned me not to give way to fancy in the least. He says that with my imaginative power and habit of story-making, a nervous weakness like mine is sure to lead to all manner of excited fancies, and that I ought to use my will and good sense to check the tendency. So I try.
Please describe the main symbols of this excerpt :)

Answer 1

In this text, there are several symbols that the author uses in order to convey meaning. A symbol is an object, action, or idea that is meant to stand for something else.

In this case, one of the symbols that is present throughout the text is the wallpaper. The wallpaper symbolizes the imprisonment of the character. This is why she concentrates on it so much, and why it is hideous and all around her. The author also sees a path that runs from the house, and where she sees people walking. These are free people, in the real world, and the path is the liberation the narrator is looking for.