Symbolism in literature is the non-literal meaning of a word, but it must a lot of critical thinking to figure it out. symbolism. In the short stories “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “A Wall of Fire Rising” by Edwidge Dandicant, symbolism is essential to understanding the meaning of the story. Both the birthmark and the hot air balloon symbolize the freedoms that the two main characters are trying to achieve. While Guy succeeds in achieving happiness; Aylmer does not succeed. Aylmer ends up killing his wife whom he adores. Guy eventually dies, but his passing means the opportunity to live a happy life in paradise. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"?Get the original essayIn "The Birthmark" Georgiana's birthmark symbolizes mortality. The narrator deduces that every living creature has some sort of defect; also, every living being eventually dies. Georgiana's birthmark is the only thing about her that isn't "perfect," but that imperfection makes her human. Aylmer feels horror when he sees his wife's birthmark. He is a scientist and everything he tries to perfect fails. His chutzpah is an opportunity for Aylmer to shed something that is imperfect to him and make it happen. He wants to make her “perfect” because everything else about her is perfect except that. He tries to get rid of the birthmark, which he does but it goes away. This symbolizes that no one can achieve perfection and it is impossible to have no flaws. Everyone has at least one flaw and it's normal to have flaws. In the short story “A Rising Wall of Fire,” the hot air balloon primarily symbolizes freedom. Guy uses the hot air balloon to escape his hard life working on the plantation for low pay. He also uses it to reflect on his life before committing suicide. Just before he died, he felt free; he didn't think about his life of poverty. Guy's hot air balloon also represents his family. This is because he escapes his family's despair at being able to live in poverty. The hot air balloon means a better and freer life for Lili. She now knows that her son is in a better place where he is happy and free. Lili worries constantly. Little Guy sees the ball as freedom from his father. Even though their families have fallen on hard times, this is his father's way of becoming happy. Both the birthmark and the hot air balloon symbolize death. Aylmer kills his wife trying to make her perfect and Guy commits suicide because his life is not perfect. There is a feeling of the “perfect life” that no one seems to be able to achieve. These two things also symbolize mortality. The hot air balloon and the birthmark are the main cause of the death of these two people. Aylmer tries to get rid of his wife's birthmark, which causes her death. Guy dies in the hot air balloon trying to find freedom. These two people were both striving for a perfect life, which is clearly impossible to achieve. Both the hot air balloon and the birthmark are symbols of happiness. Aylmer would be happy if Georgiana's birthmark disappeared, because it would not distract him from her beauty, and he fails. The hot air balloon symbolizes happiness because Guy doesn't have a good life at home. He is able to escape, go to heaven, and live the life he wants to live. Guy succeeds while Aylmer fails to achieve happiness and freedom. Keep in mind: this is just one.