hange houses every time its social status changed.Symbolism is also a very important part of the novel. The Rise of Silas Lapham is a comparatively short novel for Howells, and Howells achieved this brevity through the use of symbols which reinforce or give emotional dimension to some deeper meaning already incorporated within the framework of the novel’s narrative (Johnson 938). In the story, there are many uses of symbolism. One of the major symbols in the story is the new house that the Lapham’s are building on the water side of Beacon Street. They are building the house, because they feel that their old house is not in tune with their new social standing. In a way, the house symbolizes the Lapham’s move out of the middle class and into the wealthy upper class. It also symbolizes their future and how the Lapham’s are going to be living in the future. When Silas accidentally burns the house down, things start to head downhill. After the house is gone, the wealth starts to disappear and so does their social status. So when the house burns down it foreshadows the beginning of the end. Howells most dramatic use of symbolism to reinforce an already apparent meaning may be found at the climax of the novel when Lapham, after pacing the floor all night, decides on a course of action which is morally sound, but which will ruin him financially (Johnson 938-939). This action by Silas symbolizes the good versus evil struggle that appears in most stories. It also shows that the good inside of a person will usually win out over the evil in a person.Characterization plays a big part in The Rise of Silas Lapham. Howells uses many characters in the story. The characters seem to be true to life, which makes for a much more enjoyable and believable story. It also helps show what the business world was like in the late 19th and early 20th century. Understanding the business world in those times, lets the reader ma...
