Symbols and Symbolism in Literature

What are symbols, and where do they come from? A symbol is often an ordinary object, event, person, or animal to which extraordinary meaning and significance has been attached. Symbols can be inherited or invented The most familiar symbols have been inherited, or handed down over time. Symbols are often related to culture.

Why use Symbols? Why don’t writers just write what they mean? Symbolism is often used by writers to enhance their writing. Symbolism can give a literary work more richness and color and can make the meaning of the work deeper. Symbols allow writers to create layers of meaning within a text. Symbolism requires the reader to look beneath the surface of the text and to connect the text to a bigger picture.

How do I know if it’s a symbol? shows up more than once in the text. (repeat appearance) seems to be connected to a character or event author spend long time on description

Widely accepted and well-known symbols Certain objects, colors, and ideas ARE symbols in literature. Authors include these symbols because their meaning is widely recognized and understood. Good readers need to be familiar with these objects/ideas in order to understand literature. Notice how writers use these symbols to develop the plot, setting, conflict, or characters.

Common Symbols in Literature Colors Red Purple Yellow Grey Blue Brown Orange White Green Black Nature Fire Sunrise Sunset Tree Dove Rivers Owl Crossroads Raven Skull

Allegory An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. The characters, settings and actions stand for something beyond themselves. In some types of allegories, the characters and setting represent abstract ideas of moral qualities. ALLEGORIES are full of SYMBOLISM.

What’s the PURPOSE? An allegory can be read on one level for its literal or straightforward meaning, An allegory can be read on one level for its literal or straightforward meaning, And a second level for its symbolic, or allegorical, meaning. And a second level for its symbolic, or allegorical, meaning. Allegories are often intended to teach a moral lesson or to make a comment about goodness and vice. Allegories are often intended to teach a moral lesson or to make a comment about goodness and vice.

Example of an Allegory What does this picture represent? Where does the image of the serpent (snake) and an apple come from? What is the message the image depicts? Often times, a serpent or snake is used to symbolize temptation or trouble. This allegory stems from it’s biblical reference. What does the apple symbolize?

Symbolism vs. Allegory A symbol is a word, place, character, or object that means something beyond what it is on a literal level. An allegory involves using many interconnected symbols or allegorical figures in such as way that in nearly every element of the narrative has a meaning beyond the literal level, i.e., everything in the narrative is a symbol that relates to other symbols within the story.