Revealing the Meanings behind the Words: A Study of Symbolism in ‘The Grass Is Really Like Me” By Kishwar Naheed

Abstract

The study aims to identify the symbols in Kishwar Naheed’s poem ‘The grass is really like me’ and analyzes the manning of the symbols in the poem. Symbolism is the kind of shorthand that is used to express the deep meanings as they are employed in order to avoid direct statement. The author focuses on the symbolism in the poem. The researcher employs descriptive qualitative methods for analyzing the data in this study. The library research, content analysis, and techniques are employed to explore the problem. The study focuses on identifying and interpreting symbols found in the mentioned poem, explaining their significance within each piece. Consequently, the study's findings reveal that Kishwar Naheed’ poem contains numerous symbols, such as ‘grass’, it symbolizes the speaker herself, representing women, particularly those who are oppressed and marginalized in society. The ‘Lawn mower’ depicts the oppressive forces in society that aim to suppress and conform women to certain standards. ‘Footpath’ symbolizes the societal structures and pathways that are imposed upon individuals, particularly women. ‘Straw’ is used as a symbol for the women who have lost their uniqueness and energy due to cultural pressures and unfair attitude. These symbols hold theoretical significance and reflect deeper meanings within the context of the poetry.