Symbolism in literature is the non-literal meaning of a word, but it takes a lot of critical thinking to understand symbolism. In the stories “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “A Wall of Fire Rising” by Edwidge Dandicant, symbolism is the key to understanding the meaning of the story. The birthmark and the hot air balloon both symbolize the freedoms that the two main characters are trying to achieve. While Guy manages to achieve happiness; Aylmer is unsuccessful. Aylmer ends up killing his wife whom he adores. A boy ends up dying, but his passing means the opportunity to live a happy life in Heaven. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In "The Birthmark" Georgiana's birthmark symbolizes mortality. The narrator deduces that every living creature has a flaw of some kind; every living being also dies sooner or later. Georgiana's birthmark is the only thing about her that isn't "perfect," but this imperfection makes her human. Aylmer is horrified when he looks at his wife's birthmark. He is a scientist and everything he tries to make perfect fails. His brazenness is an opportunity for Aylmer to shed something that is imperfect and achieve. He wants to make her "perfect" because everything else is perfect about her except that. He tries to get rid of the birthmark, which he does but she dies. This symbolizes that no one can achieve perfection and it is impossible not to have flaws. Everyone has at least one flaw and it's okay to have faults. In the story "A Wall of Fire Rising" the hot air balloon symbolizes freedom above all. A boy uses hot air ballooning as an escape from his harsh life of working on the plantation for low pay. He also uses it to think about his life before committing suicide. Immediately before his death he felt free; he didn't think about his life of poverty. For Guy, the hot air balloon also represents his family. This is because he is fleeing the desperation of his family who cannot live in poverty. The hot air balloon means a better and freer life for Lili. Now he knows that his son is in a better place where he is happy and free. Lili is constantly worried. Little Guy sees the ball as freedom from his father. Even though their families had difficult times, this is how his father becomes happy. The birthmark and the hot air balloon both symbolize death. Aylmer kills his wife trying to make her perfect and Guy commits suicide because his life is not perfect. There is a sense of “perfect life” that no one can achieve. These two things also symbolize mortality. Both the hot air balloon and the birthmark are the main cause that causes these two people to die. Aylmer tries to get rid of his wife's birthmark, which causes her death. A boy dies on a hot air balloon trying to reach freedom. These two people were both striving for a perfect life, which is clearly impossible to achieve. The hot air balloon and the birthmark are both symbols of happiness. Aylmer would be happy if Georgiana's birthmark disappeared because it wouldn't distract him from how beautiful she actually is, and he fails. The hot air balloon symbolizes happiness because Guy does not have a good life at home. He is able to escape and go to Heaven and live the life he wants to live. Guy succeeds while Aylmer fails to achieve happiness and freedom. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The symbols in these stories both point to the attainment of freedom. We learn that perfection does not exist except in Heaven. Georgiana no longer has her desire while she is.