Final answer:
The word 'wave' symbolizes nature's indifference, the human struggle, and the passage of time. It is used across various artistic and literary mediums to convey complex themes and serve as a metaphor for deeper existential states. In literature and art, waves often represent life's rhythms and the interplay between human experiences and the natural world.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word 'wave' within the context of various literary excerpts can symbolize several themes, such as nature's indifference, the human struggle and the passage of time. For instance, in 'The Open Boat' by Stephen Crane, the waves and the sea are portrayed as being indifferent to the plight of individuals, highlighting nature's neutrality in the face of human struggles. Similarly, when considering the symbolism of art, such as in Kandinsky's nonrepresentational paintings or Smithson's Spiral Jetty, the wave can be an embodiment of movements and rhythms in nature, representing time and the cyclical aspects of life.
In poetry, such as Arthur Symon's work, there is a repeated refrain of water crying for rest, indicating a continual search for peace that mirrors the human condition—here, the symbolic meanings of waves point to a restlessness and an eternal quest for serenity that is never attained. The wave, therefore, is used across various mediums to convey complex emotions and themes, serving as a powerful metaphor for deeper existential queries and states of being.