Page 63 - Revista Noastra Nr.53-54 (2020)

IDEI ÎN DIALOG

“Neutral Tones” Thomas Hardy describes the natural
world as sterile and almost lifeless, the idea of “neutral
tones” itself suggesting a distinct lack of colour. The
sun is white as if it has had its life drained away, the
leaves are grey, a symbol of decay.
The Bible, particularly in Genesis, gives symbo-
lic meaning to rainbows which usually indicate a bles-
sing or promise, as the most famous rainbow given to grafica: Cristina Trestianu
Noah after the flood or the one that occurs in the story
of Joseph and his multicolored coat. Only that in Jo-
seph`s case, the blessing backfired as his brothers, out
of jealous, plotted against him and finally sold him to
some merchants.
One of the most highly charged with colour
symbolism works is Edgar Allan Poe’s “Masque of the
Red Death.” A rich prince avoids the Red Death plague
by sealing himself and his friends in a castle and par- The symbolism of colour in literature is of such
tying in seven different-colored rooms. These symbo- great importance as it is an easy way for writers to
lize the life span, beginning with blue new birth and send subliminal messages to their readers and guide
purple infant-skin shades and moving through green their feelings about certain characters and things. We
young life, the orange sunset, the white winter, the all interpret colour in certain ways that people can use
violet of funeral drapes and finally a black room with to express ideas. Even in the design of book covers, co-
blood-red tinges. In this final room, Red Death claims lour is important to attract readers. Colour does play
the prince and his guests, a bleak end to all their co- a role in every single thing we do, often even without
lours. us noticing.

REVISTA NOASTRĂ nr. 53/54 grafica: Iulia Plăiașu 59