Symbolism is an important technique authors use to help portray meaning and information
within a short amount of text. This is an effective technique which gets a lot of information
across and often relies on readers prior knowlege.
Symbols used in 'The Fat Boy':
The fat boy himself (religious figure, conscience, outsiders)
Melanie Lamb (sacrifice, innocence, victims)
THE FAT BOY
The fat boy is symbolic in a number of ways.
Religous figure:
Throughout the story the fat boy is often associated with religious imagery. His appearance is described as almost monk-like. He is also portrayed watching the IHC children holding one of the iron bars of the railing "like a staff". This is reminiscent of a shepherd tending his flock - the fat boy is looking after and protecting the innocent. This religious symbolism is also present at the end of the story when the fat boy's body disappears. The fact that the fat boy 'dies' for crimes he has not committed and then vanishes mysteriously has similarities to the fate of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died for the sins of others to help give humanity a second chance. His body also disappeared. These examples help portray the fat boy as a religious figure whose presence in the town is to help protect the innocent and to make people take responsibility for their immoral actions.
Conscience:
The fat boy is also symbolic of the townspeople's conscience. This is maybe one of the reasons why he is described by the townspeople as having such an unattractive appearance. People often do not like to be reminded of their sinful and dishonest actions. The people who are guilty of crimes in the town such as Mr Lammerton resent the fat boy's (conscience) presence as he makes him feel guilty for beating his wife. It is often easier to blame someone else than take responsibility for your actions.
Outsiders:
Small town mentalities are shown through the townspeople's treatment of the fat boy. The fat boy is largely blamed for the crimes in the community because he is an outsider. He is used as a 'scapegoat' by the townspeople so that they do not have look within their community and themselves for blame. This reflects the small mindedness of people who live in small town NZ. The only people who do not see the fat boy as 'evil' are children or people who are new to town. They have not yet become drawn in to the judmental small town mentality and can see the fat boy for what he is. Perhaps he appears to them in a different light as they are not corrupted.
QUOTES
The fat boys hair was amazingly fair and straight...it was oddly medieval"
"The fat boy stood before the railings and held one of the iron bars like a staff. The children smiled at him as he watched"
"No one seemed to know what happened to the fat boy's body"
"The fat boy had a knack of being where he was least desired"
"They recognised in him a common enemy"
"nearly everyone was relieved the fat boy had been got rid of...and nobody likes a fat boy watching them, you know"
"life would be immeasurably better for them all with the fat boy gone"
The new girl looked out and said he looked as if he was crying"
MELANIE LAMB
QUOTES:
Melanie Lamb is symbolic largely through the use of her name
In “The Fat Boy”, Melanie is an intellectually handicapped young woman who becomes pregnant after being raped by her next-door neighbour. Melanie Lamb’s name is symbolic as a lamb is traditionally considered to be innocent and in need of protection. Lambs in some cultures are also sacrificial animals.
In “The Fat Boy” Melanie can be considered to be symbolic of the innocent people who are hurt by the sins of others. This symbol helps show the consequences of living immorally and how one person’s sinful actions can dramatically affect the lives of others.
"It was a terrible thing to think that the fat boy could take advantage of Melanie's handicap"
"...the doctor said that Melanie was pregnant"
Another example of symbolism is that all the crimes commited in the town break the 10 commanments given to Moses in the bible:
Symbolism is an important technique authors use to help portray meaning and information
within a short amount of text. This is an effective technique which gets a lot of information
across and often relies on readers prior knowlege.
Symbols used in 'The Fat Boy':
Religous figure:
Throughout the story the fat boy is often associated with religious imagery. His appearance is described as almost monk-like. He is also portrayed watching the IHC children holding one of the iron bars of the railing "like a staff". This is reminiscent of a shepherd tending his flock - the fat boy is looking after and protecting the innocent. This religious symbolism is also present at the end of the story when the fat boy's body disappears. The fact that the fat boy 'dies' for crimes he has not committed and then vanishes mysteriously has similarities to the fate of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died for the sins of others to help give humanity a second chance. His body also disappeared. These examples help portray the fat boy as a religious figure whose presence in the town is to help protect the innocent and to make people take responsibility for their immoral actions.
Conscience:
The fat boy is also symbolic of the townspeople's conscience. This is maybe one of the reasons why he is described by the townspeople as having such an unattractive appearance. People often do not like to be reminded of their sinful and dishonest actions. The people who are guilty of crimes in the town such as Mr Lammerton resent the fat boy's (conscience) presence as he makes him feel guilty for beating his wife. It is often easier to blame someone else than take responsibility for your actions.
Outsiders:
Small town mentalities are shown through the townspeople's treatment of the fat boy. The fat boy is largely blamed for the crimes in the community because he is an outsider. He is used as a 'scapegoat' by the townspeople so that they do not have look within their community and themselves for blame. This reflects the small mindedness of people who live in small town NZ. The only people who do not see the fat boy as 'evil' are children or people who are new to town. They have not yet become drawn in to the judmental small town mentality and can see the fat boy for what he is. Perhaps he appears to them in a different light as they are not corrupted.
In “The Fat Boy”, Melanie is an intellectually handicapped young woman who becomes pregnant after being raped by her next-door neighbour. Melanie Lamb’s name is symbolic as a lamb is traditionally considered to be innocent and in need of protection. Lambs in some cultures are also sacrificial animals.
In “The Fat Boy” Melanie can be considered to be symbolic of the innocent people who are hurt by the sins of others. This symbol helps show the consequences of living immorally and how one person’s sinful actions can dramatically affect the lives of others.
Another example of symbolism is that all the crimes commited in the town break the 10 commanments given to Moses in the bible:
See the attachment below for the 10 Commandments: