Symbolism in Literature Sources: ed=0CDcQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturpin9thgradeenglish.wikispaces.c om%2Ffile%2Fview%2FSymbolism%2Bin%2BLiterature.ppt&ei=p4RAUsq 5ItPh4AOG3oDwBA&usg=AFQjCNFKEt6AR2R8215dFuB5foQKnR8XYw& bvm=bv ,d.dmg

What is a symbol? A concrete object that represents an abstract idea literal meaning + bigger ideas that are supported by the story Often culturally agreed upon meaning, they can be used to suggest ideas more universal than the physical aspect itself

A symbol may appear in a work of literature in a number of different ways to suggest a number of different things. Most commonly, a symbol will present itself in the form of: ▫ a word ▫a figure of speech ▫an event ▫the total action ▫a character

Peeling away the layers to find theme: 1.Literal 2.Inferential Feelings/Tone 3. Symbolism

Symbolic Meaning of Colors ? Red : Black: Green : Yellow : Blue : Pink : Purple : Brown : Orange : White : Source:

Recognized as a stimulant The physical and mental effects: * Increases enthusiasm * Stimulates energy * Encourages action and confidence * A sense of protection from fears and anxiety in nature red is also the warning of poison and danger—stop!

Is authoritative and powerful Evokes strong emotions often of fear of the unknown because of the psycological connection to night The physical and mental effects: * feeling inconspicuous * a restful emptiness * mysterious evoking a sense of potential and possibility

Is the pervasive color The natural greens are seen as tranquil and refreshing Green is considered the color of peace and ecology The physical and mental effects * Soothing * Relaxing mentally as well as physically * Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety * Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony

Shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness The physical and mental effects: * Mentally stimulating * Stimulates the nervous system * Activates memory * Encourages communication Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future associated with the sun Contrarily can be also thought of as illness or cowardliness as in jaundice

Is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed Invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming The physical and mental effects: * Calming and sedate * Cooling * Aids intuition Source:

Provokes a sense of mystic and royal qualities The physical and mental effects: * Uplifting * Calming to mind and nerves * Offers a sense of spirituality * Encourages creativity

Says stability, reliability, and approachability The physical and mental effects: * Feeling of wholesomeness * Stability * Connection with the earth * Offers a sense orderliness

Fun and flamboyant orange radiates warmth and energy The physical and mental effects: * Stimulates activity * Stimulates appetite * Encourages socialization

Projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality The physical and mental effects: * Aids mental clarity * Encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles * Evokes purification of thoughts or actions * Enables fresh beginnings

Seasons are very universal in symbolic meaning ▫Spring: ? ▫Summer: ? ▫Autumn: ? ▫Winter: ?

The meaning of seasons: ▫Spring: birth, new beginning ▫Summer: maturity, knowledge,fertility ▫Autumn: decline, nearing death, growing old ▫Winter: death, sleep, hibernation, or stagnation And which direction symbolizes beginnings? Which might symbolize endings?

East =beginnings West = endings North=coolness/cold South=warmth/comfort/hospitality Because of their association with the sun…

Again, in Judeo-Christian tradition: Red : immoral; blood, passion, emotion, danger, or daring; often associated with fire Black: seen as a cold and negative aspect suggesting passivity, death, ignorance, or evil; black hens are used in witchcraft as are black cats Green : inexperience, hope; new life, immaturity; a comforting, refreshing human color; plant life

Color symbolism: Yellow : rotting, heat, decay, violence, decrepitude, old age, and the approach of death; and contrarily--bright; happiness Blue : cool, calm, peaceful, the direction of heavens Pink : innocence, femininity Purple : royalty, bruising or pain

Color symbolism: Brown : a color somewhere between russet and black; it is the color of earth and ploughed land and soil, it can represent humility, poverty Orange : vibrancy, life Violet : composed of red and blue, it is the color of temperance, clarity of mind, royalty White : innocence, life, light, purity, or enlightenment

Nature Trees ▫Apple: temptation, loss of innocence ▫Chestnut: foresight ▫Oak: strength, wisdom ▫Pear: blossoming, fleeting nature of life ▫Poplar: linked to the underworld, to pain, sacrifice, and grief, a funeral tree, symbolizes the regressive powers of nature ▫Sycamore: a sign of vanity and to climb it is to thrust in vain things ▫Pine: symbol of immortality because of its evergreen foliage

Nature (cont’d.) ▫Weeds : evil (hemlock, pigweed, etc), wildness/outcasts of society ▫Flowers : beauty, youth, strength, gentleness ▫Anemone: transience ▫Chrysanthemums: solar symbol; represents perfection, an autumn flower, ▫Rose: budding youth, romance, potential, fragility ▫Sunflower: Sturdiness ▫Violet: shyness, something petite Lily: evokes unlawful passion, temptation, the election of one’s choice

▫Apple: temptation, loss of innocence ▫Oak: strength, wisdom ▫Pear: blossoming, fertility ▫Pine: symbol of immortality because of its evergreen foliage

Other universals: Water : washes away guilt, origin of life, regeneration, vehicle of cleansing River : fluidity of life, stream of life and death Moon : changing and returning shape, feminine symbol Sun : source of light, heat and life; a masculine symbol Cavern : the maternal womb Mountain : places where heaven and earth meet; stability, safety, often symbolic of human pride

Metals and Gems Rubies : represents good fortune; it was believed that they banished sorrow and warded off evil spirits Sapphires : contemplation, purity Silver : relates to the moon, to water and the female principle; it may also symbolize the object of all desires and the harm they cause Gold : the perfect metal; a reflection of heavenly light; it suggest the sun-fertility, wealth, dominion; it is a male principle

Directions East : land of birth or rebirth; of the Sun and Venus; it is associated with renewal, youth, feasting, song and love North : is the side which lies on the sun’s right hand and lies on either side of life; it symbolizes night sky and night wind and is the home of the Moon and the Milky Way. North represents coldness, alienation, and hostility; it is the abode of death South : is the side which lies on the Sun’s left hand and is the hand of fire; represents warmth and comfort West : is the land of evening, old age, and the descending passage of the sun

Weather/Time Snow : blanket which obscures, covers or even smothers Fog/Mist : prevents clear vision or thinking; represents isolation; mist is often the symbol of the indeterminate phase in development when shapes have yet to be defined; they are preludes to important revelations or prologues to manifestations Rain : sadness or despair or new life; a symbol of celestial influences the Earth receives Wind and Storms : violent human emotions Lightning : indicates the spark of life and the powers of fertilization; it can be either life-giving or death dealing, so it is a sign of power and strength Morning : the time of God’s blessings; the beginning of when all is still uncorrupted; symbol of purity and promise Rainbows : also intermediaries and pathways between Heaven and Earth; mostly are generally heralds of good and are linked with cycles of rebirth, they may also serve as prologues to disturbance Thunder : the voice of God or gods

Animals Dove : peace, purity, simplicity Fox : slyness, cleverness Raven : death, destruction; they often play prophetic roles or function as a conductor of the soul Lion : a solar symbol, power, pride Peacock : pride, vanity Serpent/Snake : temptation, evil Mouse : shyness, meekness Hawk : sharp, keen eyesight Owl : wisdom, rational knowledge; messenger of death Salmon : instinct; sacred wisdom Cats : are often viewed as serpents of the underworld; they also symbolize cunning,forethought, and ingenuity Lamb : serves as a manifestation of the power of Spring and renewal, sacrificial element, the children of God Cuckoo : jealousy and parasitism, it lays eggs in the nests of other birds; laziness