Iconicgraphically

A literary term, Iconicgraphically refers to the method of reading for visible representations. Reading iconicgraphically is particularly useful in stories such as "The Moths" by Helena Viramontes, in which each character is representative of the various aspects of the human struggle. Viramontes utilizes her characters iconicgraphically in order to represent many aspects of the juxtaposition of society and religion. For example, the "Apa" is an icon for Spanish Catholicism, particularly the way that Helena views the religion. Additionally, Viramontes' grandmother functions as a representative of a society in which the judgmental elements of organized religion are not present. Essentially, Viramontes' writing creates a text that holds iconicgraphic reading as a necessity.