The Feathered Ogre
Describe symbolism in The Feathered Ogre by Italo Calvino
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bookragstutor
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Jill W
Calvino's conclusion to the story is symbolically congruent to its beginning. Whereas earlier in the tale the ferry man had represented part of the hero's childhood journey to adulthood, now the new ferryman—the ogre—takes on an entirely new meaning. In ancient Greek mythology, the ferryman, Charon, was the person responsible for bringing the spirits of the dead across the River Styx to the gates of the Underworld. Similarly, the ogre ferryman now represents the end of life's journey, or death.
The Feathered Ogre