Many times in literature, a story’s title will only reflect a specific quote in the book and not tie in the entire message. The Sunflower by Simon Wisenthal, does the opposite by using a symbol that brings together the whole novel and makes a shining image stick in your mind. It reminds us all the meaning a human life has, and how in World War II those lives were so viciously ripped away. Sunflowers are a symbol of hope and happiness, something that we are blessed to have and unfortunately those in The Sunflower are not. As Simon is being lead through town with other prisoners like cattle, he recalls the graveyards he passes on his way. All the dead SS soldiers are remembered by a sunflower resting atop his or her grave; and “Suddenly I envied the dead soldiers. Each had a sunflower to connect him with the living world, and butterflies to visit his grave. I would be buried in a mass grave, where corpses would be piled on top of me. No sunflower would ever bring light into my darkness.” All hope was lost. It was no longer a matter of if he would die in this terrible war it was a question of when.

Sunflowers are a symbol