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1. 1 2021-05-03T03:58:08-07:00 Sigi Jöttkandt 4115726eb75e75e43252a5cbfc72a780d0304d7d Poultry in Motion Sigi Jöttkandt 14 plain 2021-05-03T04:39:11-07:00 Sigi Jöttkandt 4115726eb75e75e43252a5cbfc72a780d0304d7d

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• 1 2021-05-01T22:47:23-07:00 Talk is Cheep 5 Symbolification Most Fowl plain 2021-05-03T05:44:03-07:00
  Symbolification is defined here as “the process by which historical literary interpretation reduces an otherwise multifaceted ‘subject’ into an ‘object’, by way of using it only to signify something else”. The example of a dove is used — “the symbolification of the dove: the dove is equated with peace symbolically, and thus we have ‘symbolified’ it. It has been reduced to a sort of icon that signifies something it is not, therefore objectifying the creature and detracting from its subjective existence.”
  
  If I understand it correctly, I find the representation of chickens both in slang terminology and in literature to be an example of symbolification. For example, “don’t be chicken”.  
  
  To call someone chicken is to insinuate or mock their cowardice or timidity. It also denotes “[the chicken’s insistence] on petty details of duty or discipline”. The intent is to convince/ force/ coerce someone to complete a dare or engage in risk-taking behaviours in order to avoid the label ‘chicken’.
  Another example of symbolification is the phrase ‘to run around like a headless chook’. This idiom means to carry on in an uncontrolled, disorganised manner; running around without direction, in a panic, not calmly or logically. Moreover, it is a reminder of their title as dumb animals that are easily herded/ trapped.