SymbolismSymbolism

Class Notes by Mrs. GalatiClass Notes by Mrs. Galati

A symbol is:A symbol is:

Something that represents something Something that represents something else.else. Either by association or by resemblanceEither by association or by resemblance It can be a material object or a written signIt can be a material object or a written sign

Why a writer uses Why a writer uses symbolism…symbolism…

Symbolism is used when a writer uses an event, item Symbolism is used when a writer uses an event, item or a character to stand for something else.or a character to stand for something else.

Symbols can be Symbols can be characterscharacters, such as a character , such as a character symbolizing good or evil.  People can be symbols, such symbolizing good or evil.  People can be symbols, such as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

Objects can also be symbols, such as the scarlet letter.Objects can also be symbols, such as the scarlet letter. Authors use symbolism, a form of imagery, when they Authors use symbolism, a form of imagery, when they

want to portray something to the reader without using want to portray something to the reader without using the narrator. the narrator. 

Let’s look at an example of Let’s look at an example of symbolism…symbolism…

The The Harry PotterHarry Potter books by J. K. Rowling books by J. K. Rowling could be seen as containing a lot of could be seen as containing a lot of symbolism.symbolism.

One clear example is the use of a snake One clear example is the use of a snake to represent evil. It is no coincidence that to represent evil. It is no coincidence that the symbol of Slytherin House is a the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent. serpent.

Steps to Identifying Steps to Identifying SymbolsSymbols

Step 1 – Grasp the meaning of a Step 1 – Grasp the meaning of a “symbol.”“symbol.”

Step 2 – Recognize the signs.Step 2 – Recognize the signs. Step 3 – Familiarize yourself with the Step 3 – Familiarize yourself with the

author’s work and style.author’s work and style. Step 4 – Trust your feelings.Step 4 – Trust your feelings. Step 5 –Look to others Step 5 –Look to others

Step OneStep One

Step 1 - Grasp the meaning of a "symbol." Just Step 1 - Grasp the meaning of a "symbol." Just as the American bald eagle is often thought of as the American bald eagle is often thought of as the symbol of the United States, symbols as the symbol of the United States, symbols used in literature are objects used to represent used in literature are objects used to represent other things or ideas. For example, in other things or ideas. For example, in Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," the "A" that Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," the "A" that Hester Prynne was forced to wear represented Hester Prynne was forced to wear represented not only that she was an adulteress, but also not only that she was an adulteress, but also the first letter of the name of her illegitimate the first letter of the name of her illegitimate child's father, the Reverend Arthur child's father, the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale.

Step TwoStep Two

Step 2 - Recognize the signs. There are Step 2 - Recognize the signs. There are several ways to recognize symbolism in several ways to recognize symbolism in literature. One is the frequency an object or literature. One is the frequency an object or character is mentioned in a piece of literature--character is mentioned in a piece of literature--if it is mentioned often, it is probably important. if it is mentioned often, it is probably important. Another way to find a symbol is to look at how Another way to find a symbol is to look at how much detail is used in describing an object. much detail is used in describing an object. These two methods give clues that the writer These two methods give clues that the writer wants you to infer something about a particular wants you to infer something about a particular object. object.

Step ThreeStep Three

Step 3 - Familiarize yourself with the author's Step 3 - Familiarize yourself with the author's work and style. A symbol in a piece of literature work and style. A symbol in a piece of literature often represents an important issue of the time often represents an important issue of the time in which the author lived, or has personal in which the author lived, or has personal significance to the writer. Edgar Allan Poe, for significance to the writer. Edgar Allan Poe, for example, is well-known for the tragedy he example, is well-known for the tragedy he suffered during his lifetime. His stories and suffered during his lifetime. His stories and poetry often included dark imagery and death poetry often included dark imagery and death which were undoubtedly symbolic of the events which were undoubtedly symbolic of the events in his life.in his life.

Step FourStep Four

Step 4 - Trust your feelings. If an image Step 4 - Trust your feelings. If an image or object described by the author makes or object described by the author makes you react in a certain way, you are you react in a certain way, you are probably on to something, never discredit probably on to something, never discredit your own feelings just because you're a your own feelings just because you're a novice. It is very likely that the author novice. It is very likely that the author planted the image in the work in a planted the image in the work in a particular way to alert the reader that a particular way to alert the reader that a symbol is important.symbol is important.

Step FiveStep Five

Step 5 - Look to others. There's no shame in Step 5 - Look to others. There's no shame in reading critical essays about a literary work to reading critical essays about a literary work to gain a better understanding of it, or in gain a better understanding of it, or in discussing a piece of literature with a teacher discussing a piece of literature with a teacher or classmate. With experience, finding symbols or classmate. With experience, finding symbols will become easier, but when you are first will become easier, but when you are first starting out, it never hurts to get ideas from starting out, it never hurts to get ideas from others who have a better grasp of symbolism. others who have a better grasp of symbolism.

Share ExamplesShare Examples

Talk to the person next to youTalk to the person next to you Share one symbol that you identified from Share one symbol that you identified from

any book you have read.any book you have read. Do you know what the symbol means? Can Do you know what the symbol means? Can

you explain it?you explain it? Using the Internet is a great way to learn Using the Internet is a great way to learn

more about the symbols in the literature that more about the symbols in the literature that you read!you read!

Credits:Credits:

www.ehow.comwww.ehow.com