Cynthia Ozick uses several symbolisms throughout this compelling story of “The Shawl.” Ozick uses descriptive details to engage with the reader. This use of symbolism is extremely vital to the story. Themes of survival, humanity, motherhood, tolerance, and prejudice flow across the canvas of the vivid image that the author seeks to color for readers. The author uses symbolism abundantly to help the reader imagine the setting. Ozick uses several symbols and imagines the brutality of the concentration camps during War II as an example. What distinguishes The Scarf from alternative histories that chronicled the horrors of Nazism is that Artemis Ozick's method brings the characters to life. “I don't want to tamper with it, or invent, or imagine, and yet I did it. I can't not hump. He comes. It invades.” Ozick stated this as if he didn't intend for this story to become so huge, questionable, and widely acclaimed, which raises the question of what exactly he was trying to do with this story. I think the symbolism of this story is the key to unlocking the ideals and morals it was perhaps trying to convey. In preparation for writing this essay I researched Ozick's alternative works and came across his essay, "Metaphor and Memory," which I was certain would help Pine Tree State further perceive history given its extensive use of metaphors. In the essay he stated: “Without the rhetorical figure of memory and history, we cannot imagine the life of others. we tend to be unable to imagine what it would be like to be someone else. The figure of speech is that of the mutual agent, the universalizing force: it makes it possible to ascertain the... middle of paper... sound facts. despite having no symbolic meanings, the scarf would mean nothing. for example, Magda would have simply been a little girl wrapped in an extremely blanket. however Ozick gave the scarf a meaning, a float. currently the scene is totally different. Magda is currently a little girl wrapped in a scarf who is extremely capable of surviving only thanks to the protection of the scarf. And it currently affects the character Stella by making her jealous of Magda. With the symbolic meaning of the scarf the story is currently vivid and presents a clearer meaning and Ozick demonstrates his information on authentic circumstances through the process of portraying a scenario through which countless people have had to travel. however he also asks that his readers be informed about related things. Analyzing what the symbols mean or how they work opens up additional views and additional data.