Symbol- A Literary Term By Luke Waltermire

What is symbol? Symbol is something concrete (something that you can touch, taste, hear, or smell) that stands for something abstract. (something that you can’t touch, taste, hear, or smell) An example might be the peace sign. The peace sign is the concrete thing, and it stands for peace.

Novel Example #1- The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe My first example from a novel is Aslan, the lion from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Aslan represents Jesus, because he dies and rises again. My first example from a novel is Aslan, the lion from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Aslan represents Jesus, because he dies and rises again. Lewis, C.S.. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Great Britain: Harper Collins Publishers, Lewis, C.S.. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Great Britain: Harper Collins Publishers, 1950.

Novel Example #2- The Magician’s Nephew My second example of symbol from a novel is the creation of Narnia (the world that The Chronicles of Narnia series takes place in) representing the creation of Earth because they were both created the same way, by an omnipotent being. Lewis, C.S.. The Magician's Nephew. Great Britain: Harper Collins Publishers, 1955.

Novel Example #3- The Bible My third example of symbol in a novel comes from The Bible. This example is in Matthew 26:26 when he says to his disciples, “Take and eat; this is my body,” when giving them bread. The eating of the bread stands for Jesus. My third example of symbol in a novel comes from The Bible. This example is in Matthew 26:26 when he says to his disciples, “Take and eat; this is my body,” when giving them bread. The eating of the bread stands for Jesus. The Holy Bible. NIV. Grand Rapids Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, The Holy Bible. NIV. Grand Rapids Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, 2001.

Novel Example #4- The Bible My fourth example of symbol in a novel is also from The Bible. This example is in Matthew 26:27 when Jesus gives his disciples wine and says, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant.” This wine stands for God’s blood. My fourth example of symbol in a novel is also from The Bible. This example is in Matthew 26:27 when Jesus gives his disciples wine and says, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant.” This wine stands for God’s blood. The Holy Bible. NIV. Grand Rapids Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, The Holy Bible. NIV. Grand Rapids Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, 2001.

Novel Example #5- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows My 5th and final example of symbolism in a novel is the mark of the Deathly Hallows in the 7 th Harry Potter book. My example is that the mark of the Deathly Hallows represents the 3 Hallows, the Elder Wand, the Invisibility Cloak and the Resurrection Stone. My 5th and final example of symbolism in a novel is the mark of the Deathly Hallows in the 7 th Harry Potter book. My example is that the mark of the Deathly Hallows represents the 3 Hallows, the Elder Wand, the Invisibility Cloak and the Resurrection Stone. Rowling, J.K.. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York City: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007 Rowling, J.K.. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York City: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007

Drama Example- Warriors- After Sunset: We Need To Talk My example of symbol from a drama is the Clan borders in the play Warriors- After Sunset: We Need To Talk. The borders between the Clans are scent borders that symbolize where the Clan cats can and can’t go. My example of symbol from a drama is the Clan borders in the play Warriors- After Sunset: We Need To Talk. The borders between the Clans are scent borders that symbolize where the Clan cats can and can’t go. Hunter, Erin. "Warriors- After Sunset: We Need to talk." unavailable. 6 Dec Hunter, Erin. "Warriors- After Sunset: We Need to talk." unavailable. 6 Dec 2008.

Short Story Example #1- The Frog Prince My first example of symbol from a short story is The Frog Prince. The frog represents that it is not always what is on the outside that counts, but that what is on the inside is what matters. My first example of symbol from a short story is The Frog Prince. The frog represents that it is not always what is on the outside that counts, but that what is on the inside is what matters. The Frog Prince. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International Ltd., The Frog Prince. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International Ltd., 1995.

Short Story Example #2-The Oval Portrait My second example of symbolism in a short story is from the Edgar Allen Poe short story/ poem hybrid, The Oval Portrait. The example is that the picture of a woman symbolizes our obsessions in life. These obsessions sometimes make us forget what is important. My second example of symbolism in a short story is from the Edgar Allen Poe short story/ poem hybrid, The Oval Portrait. The example is that the picture of a woman symbolizes our obsessions in life. These obsessions sometimes make us forget what is important. Poe, Edgar Allen. Edgar Allen Poe- Stories for Young People. New York City: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 2006 Poe, Edgar Allen. Edgar Allen Poe- Stories for Young People. New York City: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 2006

Poem Example #1-The Road Not Taken My 1 st example of symbolism in a poem is from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. The symbolism is how the choice of two paths in the forest represents choices in life and how sometimes taking the uncommon choice can make all the difference. My 1 st example of symbolism in a poem is from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. The symbolism is how the choice of two paths in the forest represents choices in life and how sometimes taking the uncommon choice can make all the difference. “The Road Not Taken” is reprinted from Mountain Interval. Robert Frost. New York: Henry Holt, “The Road Not Taken” is reprinted from Mountain Interval. Robert Frost. New York: Henry Holt, 1921.

Poem Example #2-The Oval Portrait My second example of symbolism in a poem is from the Edgar Allen Poe short story/ poem hybrid, The Oval Portrait. The example is that the picture of a woman symbolizes our obsessions in life. These obsessions sometimes make us forget what is important. My second example of symbolism in a poem is from the Edgar Allen Poe short story/ poem hybrid, The Oval Portrait. The example is that the picture of a woman symbolizes our obsessions in life. These obsessions sometimes make us forget what is important. Poe, Edgar Allen. Edgar Allen Poe- Stories for Young People. New York City: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 2006 Poe, Edgar Allen. Edgar Allen Poe- Stories for Young People. New York City: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 2006