The seasons winter, spring and summer as allegorical to the war in the United States
The author uses the seasons as an allegory to explain the conditions in which the Southerners lived in. The winter season which was very cold is an allegory of the most dangerous time, when the citizens feared and were victims of Yankee attacks that were very frequent. Spring, which is the breaking up of winter, was an allegory of the better times that followed Winter for the Civil War ended at the time. The season summer was allegorical to good times for the MC Gehee slaves who included Lou fled their captivity successfully and went to start a new life elsewhere.
The rain that fell on the day that John was saved
The rain that rained when the John Robertson received the holy spirit is an allegory of the spirit coming into his heart. Previously as he had labored hard to get the spirit into his heart, it had not rained at all but when the spirit came into him, it rained hard which is an allegory of the spirit coming down to him.
The Flock of Wild Geese Flying Northward as a Symbol of the Breaking up of Winter
The author in the last days of the winter season, gives a sign of the coming up of spring and the breaking up of the winter season by illustrating the sighting of wild geese flying northward. These wild geese are a symbol of the changing of seasons from winter to spring. This also held high prospects of the changing of the events and hope for better days.
The Yankees as a Symbol of Terror
The Yankee army was a symbol of terror to the citizens of the United States of America because they would come and destroy everything in their sight. As a result, the citizens were fearful of them and hid from them. Samuel Agnew and his father hid in the woods with their livestock if there were rumors of a Yankee invasion coming soon.
The flag of the United States as a Symbol of the patriotism of the people
The flag was a symbol of the country and therefore patriotic citizens looked unto it as a sign of hope of the end of the war. Cornelia MC Donald was very patriotic and every time she saw the flag she had an overwhelming urge of patriotism and defense for her country.
