Symbol for hope
In the poem "What they were like’’, the narrator claims that after the children of the people in Viet Nam were killed, the plants no longer bloomed and buds existed no longer. Through this, the narrator wanted to transmit that there was no more hope for the people. Thus, the buds are used here as a symbol for the hope the Viet Nam people lost once their children were taken from them.
The clouds
The clouds are the major symbol in the poem "Clouds’’. The narrator watches the clouds from two different perspectives and the clouds are described as being threatening, dangerous to the narrator. The clouds are linked with the male character who sits beside her and thus are used here as a symbol for uncertainty.
Symbol for truth
In the poem "Clouds’’ the narrator claims she was able to see beautiful field with flowers after the clouds cleared. The field is used in this context as a symbol for truth since it emerges from the thick layer of clouds that made her feel threatened.
Symbol for a new beginning
Another symbol that appears in the poem "To the snake’’ is that of a new beginning. After the snake abandons the woman, she has to return on her own and start a new journey in the dark morning. The morning is used in this context as a symbol for a new beginning the narrator has to face.
The dangers of love
In the poem "To the snake’’ the narrator describes a snake she let wrap around her neck. Everyone warned her not to let the snake near her but the narrator refused to listen to them. Eventually, the snake abandoned the woman and ran away. The snake is used here as a symbol for the dangers a person has to face when he or she leaves their heart vulnerable to love.
