Kinds of Symbols in Literature
- Colors. Colors often have symbolic meaning in literary works. ...
- Nature. Many aspects of nature have traditional symbolic meanings. ...
- Directions. The four compass directions are seen as symbols of different things, depending on the work in question.
- Animals. Many animals have long had symbolic significance. ...
What are the most common literary symbols?
Symbols are often used in literature as they can both guide the plot and intrigue the readers. Some of the most common literary symbols include fire, gardens and water. Fire can represent truth. A garden can parallel the garden of eden in the bible and represent lost innocence. Water can represent
What are some common symbolisms in literature?
Symbolism in Novels and Plays
- Wuthering Heights by In Emily Brontë. Emily Brontë went for symbolism right in the title of her novel. ...
- Aurora Leigh by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Aurora Leigh is an epic novel by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. ...
- Harry Potter series by J. K. ...
- As You Like It by William Shakespeare. ...
- Other Literary Examples of Symbolism. ...
What are the universal symbols in literature?
What are some symbols in literature?
- Rivers: In literature, rivers are typically symbols of life.
- Rain: Rain usually symbolizes a rebirth or a turning point.
- Winter: Winter most often symbolizes death or stagnation.
How do you identify symbols in literature?
– A step-by-step process
- Read the passage. See if there is a subject that stands out to you, is repeated, or can usually be associated with another meaning.
- Consider possible ideas that are usually represented by this object. Or you can create a logical and reasonable link to an idea of your own. ...
- Figure out the effect of symbolism. ...
- Discuss your insights in a T.E.E.L structure.
What are common symbols used in literature?
Common symbols used in literature include colors, animals, seasons, and weather. Let's have a look at the chart of symbols to see what each object represents.
What are 5 examples of symbolism?
Symbolism Examples in Everyday LifeBlack is often used to represent death or evil.White stands for life and purity.Red can symbolize blood, passion, danger, or immoral character.Purple is a royal color; it can symbolize grandeur, pride or extravagance.Yellow can stand for violence or decay.More items...
What are commonly used symbols?
Some of the most common symbols are the:Heart symbol.Dove symbol.Raven symbol.Tree symbol.Owl symbol.And more.
What are the three common types of symbols in literature?
Here are some of the various types of symbolism:Metaphor. A metaphor refers to one thing by directly mentioning another. ... Simile. Rather than implying a comparison like a metaphor, a simile explicitly denotes comparison between two things. ... Allegory. ... Archetype. ... Personification. ... Hyperbole. ... Metonymy. ... Irony.
What are the 4 types of symbols?
Types of SymbolsIconograms are illustrative representations. They are iconic signs which, ... Pictograms are pictorial representations, such as ISOTYPE. ... Cartograms are topographical representations with complex functions (statistics, ... Diagrams are functional representations. ... Phonograms are phonic representations. ... a.b.c.More items...
What are symbols in writing?
In literature, symbols are often characters, settings, images, or other motifs that stand in for bigger ideas. Authors often use symbols (or “symbolism”) to give their work with more meaning and to make a story be about more than the events it describes.
What is a universal symbol in literature?
Universal symbols are symbols that nearly all people can relate to regardless of their culture, time period, gender, race, ethnicity or religious background. We relate to these symbols because we automatically make connections between the object and the concept or idea that it represents.
What are symbols in English?
A symbol is a person, place, action, word, or thing that (by association, resemblance, or convention) represents something other than itself. Verb: symbolize. Adjective: symbolic.
How many types of symbols are there?
There are two kinds of Symbols: Presentational and Discursive.
What are some examples of symbols in literature?
These are just a few examples of well-known symbols in literature: Light and Fire in Frankenstein: In this novel, light is symbolic of knowledge and enlightenment, while fire can proves that what brings light can also harm. This is evident in the monster’s first encounter with fire:
How do symbols help you in reading?
Symbols work by giving added meaning to a text and conveying larger ideas in just a few words. By learning to understand symbols in literature, you may uncover new meanings in some of your favorite stories and find connections to bigger themes.
Why are symbols so interesting?
What makes symbols so interesting is that their meanings can change depending on their context or even one’s culture. Thus, in order to catch its intended meaning, it is important to understand where, when, and how a symbol is being used.
What is symbolism in art?
What Is Symbolism? Symbols are objects that carry meanings or represent ideas. However, symbols can also take the form of words, images, colors, or actions. (For example, the cross is a symbol of Christianity; the red stripes in the American flag represent courage and valor.)
Why is the shell a symbol of power?
A shell quickly becomes a symbol of power when a group of boys are stranded together on an island. It starts as a tool for upholding democracy and free speech: to maintain order, each boy will be given a chance to hold the conch and express his thoughts uninterrupted.
Why is symbolism important?
The Importance of Symbolism. Because symbols give double meaning to a work, they also force readers to think about a text on a deeper level. If a writer spelled out the exact message they wanted us to take away from their story, reading it wouldn’t be quite as interesting.
What does a closed window mean in the Bible?
However, a closed window can also signify entrapment. • Apples traditionally symbolize knowledge, thanks to their significance in the Bible. While you may not think much about symbols in your everyday life, in literature it is important to take note of key symbols in order to get a deeper understanding of the work.
What are the common symbols in literature?
Common Symbols. Common symbols used in literature include colors, animals, seasons, and weather. Let's have a look at the chart of symbols to see what each object represents. Symbol. Meaning.
What does ginger symbolize?
Given the information in the chart, we can make a safe guess that the writer wanted Ginger to symbolize something or someone with a strong will and bad attitude. Lesson Summary. In literature, symbols are used to represent something beyond the object itself.
What is symbolism in literature?
A symbol is an object that represents something else, and in fact, are a part of your daily life, not just a piece of literature. You may not realize it, but you encounter millions of symbols in your everyday life, such as: Symbols can hold unexpected meaning, but upon further investigation, can make a lot of sense.
How to find the theme of a book?
To find the theme of a book, you should look for an overall message or lesson. If you do encounter the motif of "light and dark" in a book, you should think about a message that the author is trying to send about life. The light and dark of a story might tell us: Love survives death. Life renews itself.
What is a motif in a book?
A series of symbols that could represent this motif might be: The symbols and motifs you discover in your reading will lead to the understanding of an overall theme of your book.
What does a light bulb mean?
Light bulb means "new idea". Numerals 1 and 0, put together, mean ten. A heart means love. Logos represent brands, like the Nike swoosh or Mac's Apple. Even our names are symbols that represent us as individual humans. Symbols can hold unexpected meaning, but upon further investigation, can make a lot of sense.
What do you notice when you read a book?
When you read a book, you might notice recurring themes within the text, which usually influence the storyline and provide clues into the plot or conflict occurring. In order to build and explain the theme, the author will use symbols and motifs. Many readers fully understand what a symbol is, but not everyone is as familiar with motifs.
Is a motif related to a theme?
It is closely related to a theme but is more of a supporting role to the theme than a theme itself. It is within the pattern of repetition that the power and impact of a motif are found. A motif could, in fact, be expressed by a collection of related symbols.
What is symbolism in literature?
Symbolism can be an object, person, situation, event or action that has a deeper meaning in the overall context beyond a surface understanding. When used properly, it can enhance a piece of writing and provide further insight to the reader. Together, let’s enjoy some examples of symbolism in literature.
Why is symbolism important in literature?
Symbolism is often used in literature to paint colorful scenes. It affords the writer artistic expression that supersedes bland writing. Beyond that, symbolism also allows readers to visualize complex or difficult subjects. And, if nothing else, it presents readers at the local book club with an opportunity to pick apart various lines of text, ...
What does the letter A in the Scarlet Letter mean?
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the letter “A” symbolizes adultery .
What is the albatross in the poem?
In the poem below, Samuel Taylor Coleridge talks about an albatross, or large bird, that’s about to be hung around the neck of the protagonist. However, it’s not merely some strange form of punishment. And the bird’s not just a bird. Rather, it’s a symbol of the terrible sin he committed when he killed the bird. It’s representative of the burden he must bear as a result.
What does William Wordsworth use in the poem?
In the lines below, he uses “springs of Dove,” “a violet by a mossy stone,” and a star “shining in the sky” as symbols for a quiet, unknown woman whom he loved very much.
What does the foliage in the woods represent?
Below, the foliage in the woods is symbolic of the ever-changing nature of love. And the rocks below the surface represent the necessary pain that comes from loving someone. My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it; I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees.
Is poetry an art form?
Without question, poetry is a written form of art. Beautiful images are painted in the space of a few stanzas. It won’t surprise you to see that poets are huge fans of symbolism. It allows them to take in-depth concepts and paint them in interesting terms that will, hopefully, spark the reader’s imagination.
What is symbolism in literature?
Symbolism (SIM-buh-liz-uhm) is when an object, person, or place represents an abstract idea beyond its literal meaning. Symbolism in literature can be as obvious as a storm representing a character’s internal turmoil or as subtle as a character’s yellow shirt foreshadowing a pending friendship.
What is the most widely known and accepted use of symbolism?
Religious Symbolism. Perhaps the most widely known and accepted use of symbolism is religious allusions. In the late 1800s, it was popular to include religious symbolism in novels and poetry, such as Paradise Lost by John Milton , which is a retelling of the Bible’s book of Genesis.
What animal symbolizes a holiday?
Animals: An animal can be symbolic based on its characteristics or its association with a holiday or event. Lions symbolize courage and majesty due to their ranking in the animal kingdom, and black cats symbolize bad luck or spookiness because of their association with Halloween.
What do everyday objects represent?
Objects: Everyday objects can represent a myriad of ideas. Balloons, for example, symbolize celebration, and a rose can represent romance. Symbolism can also depend on context. Pine trees can symbolize nature, but if you add lights and a star, it can also represent Christmas.
How does Aslan represent Jesus?
When symbolism is represented in a character, it’s shown through their actions, and it’s usually part of an allegory. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, for example, the character Aslan symbolizes Jesus because he sacrifices himself to save Edmund but then comes back to life—similar to Jesus dying on the cross and rising again three days later. In The Pilgrim’s Progress, characters represent different temptations the main character faces on his way to the Celestial City, such as the Interpreter, who explains Biblical passages.
Why do writers use symbolism?
Why Writers Use Symbolism. Symbolism is beneficial in literature for several reasons. It can simplify a complex theme or idea by giving it a characteristic the reader can understand . It can also give a more insightful meaning to something by giving a literal example of something non-literal.
What is romantic symbolism?
Romantic Symbolism. Romanticism emphasized feeling over reality and creativity over practicality. It became a popular movement in literature after its birth as an artistic movement. Shakespeare ’s sonnets are a great example of romantic symbolism, as he talks of beauty and ugliness through symbols like flowers and weeds.
Definition of Symbolism as a Literary Device
A symbol is any aspect within a work of fiction that’s meaning extends beyond the literal. A symbol can be a person, an action, an object, a location, a phrase—anything that is a representation of something else. Additionally, symbols are often utilized in patterns.
Examples of Symbolism in Literature
Events Feast: Celebration Wedding: Hope Funeral: Sorrow Birth: Cycle of life Astronomical activity (meteor / shooting star etc.): Divinity / divine intervention
How to Use Symbols in Writing
The successful use of symbols starts with your novel’s main theme. What does your protagonist’s inner journey entail? Not the external plot developments, but the growth / change that takes place within the character.
What is the symbol of love?
One of the most widely recognized symbols is the heart. While it still means “love,” it can carry much more subtle meanings, and it has many variants that have evolved through time. For example, some of the early versions of the symbols were more realistic and rounded, while newer representations are simplified renditions in the form of pictograms.
What does the heart symbol mean on a coat of arms?
The heart symbol also has been a common feature on coats of arms. In such uses, the symbol can stand for many of the ideas we associate with hearts today, including love, valor, loyalty and kindness. Hearts can also carry a religious connotation, such as when they’re depicted surrounded by flames or thorns.
What does a star mean?
An ancient symbol with many uses, the star can take on different meaning based on both its context and its number of points. Because they are some of the most distant bodies we can see with the naked eye, stars can symbolize physical distance, such as a journey, or emotional distance, such as a misunderstanding.
Why is the owl so popular?
In Native American cultures, the owl is seen as a creature of the night, and so is associated with the supernatural and even death.
What does the crescent moon symbolize?
But the use of the crescent moon as a symbol predates Islam by several thousand years.
What does the dove symbolize?
The dove is often associated with peace, tranquility and grace. Its meaning has become so universal that major world religions such as Christianity and Judaism have used the symbol as the truest representation of peace, grace and divinity.
Why is water important in visual storytelling?
Just as we use water to wash away dirt, sweat and soil, water cleanses a canvas. But it also becomes a symbol of obstacles, such as a river or ocean to cross. Either way, water can be a symbol of power in visual stories, with the ability to claim audiences and characters, as well as free them.
What Is Symbolism?
Symbolism Examples
- Some symbols are so ingrained in tradition that you probably haven’t given them much thought. For example: • Brides wear white because white symbolizes purity. • Snakes often symbolize evil or corruption. • Holding one’s index and middle fingers up can symbolize peace, or, alternatively, victory. • Windows can represent opportunity or freedom. However, a closed window can also si…
Symbols in Literature
- Becoming familiar with the following symbols can help deepen your reading (or writing) experience. While these objects don’t alwayscarry symbolic meaning in a text, these are some of the most common symbols employed in literature. Rivers:In literature, rivers are typically symbols of life. The starting point of rivers, usually small mountain stream...
The Importance of Symbolism
- Because symbols give double meaning to a work, they also force readers to think about a text on a deeper level. If a writer spelled out the exact message they wanted us to take away from their story, reading it wouldn’t be quite as interesting. Our interpretations of a text might change as we grow, but this is what makes the reading experience uniquely special for each of us. What are so…