A handy guide to how authors use symbols in various ways Symbolism A handy guide to how authors use symbols in various ways

The Riddle of the Sphinx What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening? The answer is based on symbolic connections, using metaphorical imagery, and figurative language.

Symbolism = visual imagery Symbolism is a short-cut through words to our visual brain…

Symbolism A concrete object that represents something else (often a big abstract idea or complicated emotion). Repetition throughout a work (motif) is how authors build a symbol. Description, imagery, figurative language all work together to build the symbolism.

Intuition & cultural knowledge

Origins Public symbols are time-tested, well-used, part of our cultural psyche. Sometimes historical / cultural in origin or related to the manufacture of certain colours / products (snails shells for purple fabric pigment). Can be tied to use in each nation (ie: green is associated with money for USA but we still understand it). Psychology and dream interpretation - Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud 19th century codification Often based on our figures of speech / idiom

Setting Places can carry symbolic connotations (word choice hints at the author’s perceptions of place). characters can be mis-matched to their setting, adding conflict. Time periods have standard associations (ie: Renaissance = rebirth). Time of day / seasons = stages of human life Setting is not accidental- look at description, word choice, and how the author uses setting

More on Setting Seasons: stages of human life, nature spring = youth, new life, growth Summer = heat, maturation, ease Fall = mid life, harvest Winter = cold, dormant, aging, death Weather: word choice, unusual events (ie: storms= tension, turbulence, trouble). Authors match (or twist) the setting to the emotional tone, plot events, character issues, and general theme of the story / novel.

More on descriptions City= civilization, sophistication, money, productivity Country = slower, down to earth, old fashioned Light = thinking, enlightenment, spiritual, bright Dark = absence of goodness, devoid of religion / moral, the unknown (being “in the dark”), evil Water = cleansing, baptism, tides, what lies beneath, flow of movement, erosion, unconscious Fire = purification, destruction, power, uncontrolled Consider how buildings, places, movement, geography are described.

Miscellaneous symbols Animals: lions = king of the jungle; snake = deception of the devil; dog= man’s best friend, loyalty, domesticated; dove = peace; phoenix = resurrection, rebirth, renewal Numbers can be associated with many things= depends on how they are used / cultural context,ie: THREE= father, son, holy ghost, OR mother/father/child, OR Three fates, three furies, three witches, three graces, OR…

Colours White: purity, innocence Black: somber, death, grief, mourning Red: blood, love, passion, rage Blue: peace, spirituality Green: growth, money Yellow: cheery, cowardice, bile Purple: royalty, bishops, special Brown = earthy, dull, common

Some ideas… Hills / mountains= challenges, obstacles to be overcome, accomplishment Island = isolation, loneliness, exile Forest = dark, mysterious, hidden, can’t see the forest for the trees Garden = Eden, growth, cultivation Road / path = direction, journey, choices, destiny Cliff= on the edge, danger, choices, change Rain= cleansing, nourishment, baptism Castle = fortress, protection, safety

Dictionaries Codified /systematic explanation of what symbols mean (east / west different) UMICH: http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/ http://www.symbols.com/