Symbolism and Allegory Unit Reflection

I learned, within a couple of weeks, how symbolism can be a meaningful object. For example, a wedding ring can represent the vows between married couples. The way I learned symbolism is by reading "Through the Tunnel". I also learned about allegory by reading "Notes in a Bottle". My favorite assignment is the blog post about Foster Youth Initiation because I literally wrote about my initiation. I put my all in my work. At first, I didn’t know very much about allegory, but with a little learning I got the point. I gained more knowledge about literature and all of the puzzles in it.

“Through the Tunnel” Foster Youth Initiation

Even though they don’t have to swim through a tunnel like Jerry in “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing, foster youth are initiated into the foster care system. As a foster youth, I know I was initiated when I went through the stages of loneliness, anger, and depression. The reason I felt lonely was because I was taken away from the people I loved and felt secured around. A minute later I felt anger because it wasn't my fault that I wasn't taken away from family, but it was them. They were the reason why I'm not with them today. Going through depression was the worst. I would feel like there is no reason to care or respect anybody in general. As a result of this initiation, I learned how to be strong and very responsible (when I feel like it).

“Through the Tunnel” Prove Yourself Paragraph

The day that I had to prove myself was when Beth, the Residential Director, had a meeting with both my house parents and my social workes including me. She told me that I had the potential to be a leader in my house. I looked at her like she said something out of the ordinary. I heard the same thing from other people and I always blew it off. But when she said it, I felt like my heart stopped. I started thinking about what she said. She told me that the middle school kids in my house look up to me and I may not see, but it's true. So ever since then I try to set a good example around the house especially around the youngsters. I felt good knowing that I can be a good role model to somebody.