<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I am writing an amazing essay which is symbolic. Partly. And.there are clear hints that points the literal meaning but how do I draw a line between symbolism and obscurity. How do i ensure that my essay is not obscure.</p>
<p>So an allegory? I’m having a hard time imagining the essay you’re describing, though. Would you be comfortable with going into more detail or sending me a part of it (via PM)?</p>
<p>I will PM.
…
Parts, that will make it further unclear and add curiosity.</p>
<p>Your essay is really cool, no lie. The imagery in the excerpts you sent me is trippy. Was it a dream?</p>
<p>I’m having trouble trying to extract a literal meaning from the essay, though, so I see your concern with the symbolism. You could make it more explicit by using comparisons between the symbol and the thing it symbolizes. </p>
<p>For example, (I’m obviously making up the subjects because I’m no mind reader) you could say the “vortex of responsibility” if you’re being drawn in by commitments to various things in life, or “I took refuge in the continuously spinning gear [paraphrase]…like the daily cycles of life” if you want to say that you relieve your stress through comforting routines.</p>
<p>That definitely was description of recurring dream. And you definitely got some idea too. I will consider your advice. I got what you mean.
Thanks,
And will it appear too vague?
I feel like it might not pass the thumb rule, I mean covering my name and asking whether it suits my story or not.</p>
<p>I got a better idea. The essay and each paragraphs each have their own topics which are not symbolic but are literal. How does that go?</p>
<p>You can still use your symbolic imagery to explain a literal message. That’s pretty much what similes and metaphors are for, and if used well, they can explain a concept even better than plain description. </p>
<p>Frankly though, your questions are testing the limits of my writing expertise. I might not be able to help you further beyond this!</p>
<p>I don’t think you should make it really hard to understand. The admissions officers only have a few minutes and they’re not going to enjoy having to decipher the abstract meaning behind what you’re saying, if let’s say, they have a deadline to read X amount of essays by the next hour or so. One experience that I recall is being told about a guy with great scores (2350 single take, 800 SAT IIs, good GPA) but he had an obscure essay. He ended up not getting into the Ivy League schools he applied for and ended up at UVA, when he could have probably gone to a better institution. </p>
<p>But, don’t take my word as solid proof. This is merely a suggestion. Perhaps the admissions officers will be wowed by the abstract meaning behind it instead. I don’t know… maybe if it’s UChicago, they’d like it.</p>
<p>thanks for the opinion boredh. I will take that into mind so the essay will not sound so obscure.
@clepsydra thanks. your helps and previous opinions are sufficient, though.</p>