One of the prominent features of Modern English literature is the use of symbolism. Modern writers in their short stories use symbols to build the theme or atmosphere of the story. Symbolism implies a deeper sense, underneath a plain vivid external account. It serves to bear out an undertone of the literary materials treated and thereby add to profundity of the sense or actual meaning. ...

The expression is taken from famous story writer H.E. Bates' significant short story The Ox.       Here 'it' refers to the hard-earned and hard-saved money of Mrs. Thurlow. This line serves to indicate the immense importance of her lost money to Mrs. Thurlow. The story-teller emphasizes here how she did look upon the loss of her money.Mrs. Thurlow's saving had much...

The Ox by H.E Bates is a short story not about the beast of burden, the ox but about the tragedy of Mrs. Thurlow. Here 'it' refers to Mrs. Thurlow's soul companion bicycle. The significance of the bicycle in Mrs. Thurlow's life and draudgery is here indicated.          Mrs. Thurlow, the main character of the story, worked hard to save her family of her husband...