Symbolism
Even on her deathbed, her frail hands planted seeds for tomorrow.
That was my takeaway as I proceeded out of the theater with a silent crowd. That was the image that replayed in my mind the next day.
I started following Joey and Rory Feek’s story on Facebook about the time Joey’s battle with cancer was coming to its end. I was drawn to Joey’s battle—not in a morbid sense, but because I was humbled by the way Joey gracefully accepted her story. It seemed that the world that watched and commented on the pictures her husband posted on Facebook struggled more with Joey’s fate than she did. She was at peace and the world was not.
Joey’s husband, Rory, had begun blogging about his life with Joey long before they knew the battle they would face. After Joey’s passing, Rory took the images and video footage he had captured and created a film, To Joey, with Love. I went to see that film knowing I would cry, and I did, but as a writer I tuned into the “more” that lay beneath the surface.
Writers use various story elements to bring their stories to life. I can no longer leisurely read or watch a movie without looking for these story elements and how the writer will carry them out. Symbolism is one of those elements. Symbolism is a story device that is used to indirectly express the themes and ideas of stories. I don’t know if Rory deliberately illustrated his themes and ideas with scenes of Joey planting seeds and gardening or if Joey’s life was just a great example of the theme of faith I recognized in the movie.
Joey displayed an admirable faith in the very way she lived her life in the midst of an unexplainable, life-robbing disease. She sang hymns of faith, even recording a CD of her favorite hymns during her final treatments. She prayed for healing, and she continued to plant seeds after the doctors had given her a time frame that ended months before spring’s usual transplanting season.
Perspective is everything. I cannot tell you if everyone in that theater interpreted the scenes and theme of To Joey, with Love similarly. I can, however, tell you that a good story will resonate with your ideas and beliefs. A good story suggests (plants) ideas (seeds) into your subconscious. And these ideas (seeds) stick with you and replay in your mind long after you have put the book down or walked out of the theater. Talented writers know this and achieve it through story devices such as symbolism.
That is a skill.
That is something I would like to do with my story.
I am still working on my story. It also has an element of faith. Faith is an idea that resonates with me, so it makes sense that I am drawn to stories and movies with this element.
How about you? I would love to hear what types of books and movies resonate with you. Does there seem to be a common theme? Not sure? Here’s a hint: what scenes or symbols play over and over in your mind from your favorite book or movie? Please leave a comment here on the website or on my Facebook page.
And just in case you might be interested, To Joey, with Love, is only in theaters for two nights. The first was the one I attended, and the next showing is October 6th. If you happen to catch it, stop back by here and leave a comment about your interpretation of the movie’s theme.
