What Are Some Examples Of Symbolism In Literature?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • rainbow–symbolizes hope and promise.
  • red rose–symbolizes love and romance.
  • four-leaf clover–symbolizes good luck or fortune.
  • wedding ring–symbolizes commitment and matrimony.
  • red, white, blue–symbolizes American patriotism.

What is symbolism in literature examples?

Symbolism is

the idea that things represent other things

. What we mean by that is that we can look at something — let’s say, the color red — and conclude that it represents not the color red itself but something beyond it: for example, passion, or love, or devotion.

What is a symbol give an example?

A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. … For example, a

red octagon

is a common symbol for “STOP”; on maps, blue lines often represent rivers; and a red rose often symbolizes love and compassion.

How symbolism is used in literature?

In literature, symbolism is

used to produce an impact

, which it accomplishes by attaching additional meaning to an action, object, or name. … In other words, symbolism allows a writer to convey something to their audience in a poetic way instead of saying it outright.

What is an example of symbolism in poetry?

When it comes to symbolism examples in poetry,

roses are commonly a symbol of love and romance

. You can see this through the lines of Robert Burns’s love poem. The red rose symbolizes love, while the melody symbolizes the beauty and grace of his lover. That’s sweetly played in tune.

How is symbolism used in writing?

  1. Begin with story and characters. …
  2. Balance small-scale and large-scale symbolism. …
  3. Don’t just use common symbols. …
  4. Use symbolism to add emotional resonance.

What is symbolism in literature PDF?

symbolism is

the representation of objects, moods and ideas through the medium of symbols

.

What are the 4 types of symbols?

  • Iconograms 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.

What is symbolism in a short story?

Symbolism is a literary technique that adds meaning

to a short story by using an event or object as a symbol to represent something else

. For example, a gravestone may be a symbol of death since gravestones are associated with death. … Symbolism is used by authors for a variety of reasons.

What is symbolism in drama?

A symbol

implies a greater meaning than the literal suggestion

and is usually used to represent something other than what it is at face value. … Symbolism in the theatre can be achieved via characters, colour, movement, costume and props.

How do you identify symbolism in a poem?

What is Symbolism? A symbol in poetry is something that is used not only literally but also as

a way to represent something else

. So, for example, a poem might be about an oak tree and the cycle of life of a tree. The oak itself is what the poem is about, but it might also be meant as a symbol for human life.

How do you use symbolism in a story?


Connect recurring themes in your story with symbolic motifs

.

For example, if a character longs for freedom, use imagery of birds throughout the story. Using symbols to represent themes, rather than a character, is a good way to incorporate symbolism without being too heavy-handed.

What are the 3 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 is a dragonfly symbolize?

In almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes

change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization

. The change that is often referred to has its source in mental and emotional maturity and understanding the deeper meaning of life. … The Dragonfly moves with elegance and grace.

What are common symbols?

  • Heart symbol: this represents love, compassion and health.
  • Dove symbol: this represents peace, love, and calm.
  • Raven symbol: this represents death and doom.
  • Tree symbol: this represents growth, nature, stability, and eternal life.
  • Owl symbol: this represents wisdom and intelligence.

What is symbolic movement in drama?

Symbolism, a

loosely organized literary and artistic movement

that originated with a group of French poets in the late 19th century, spread to painting and the theatre, and influenced the European and American literatures of the 20th century to varying degrees.

What is symbolism in a play a figure of speech?

Symbolism is a figure of speech that is used when an author wants to create a certain mood or emotion in a work of literature. It is the

use of an object, person, situation or word to represent something else

, like an idea, in literature.

How do you explain symbolism?

What Is Symbolism? The first thing we have to talk about is what symbolism and symbols mean. Put simply, literary symbols are objects, actions, places, words, colors, and sometimes characters that signify something different from their original meaning. Symbolism, then, is the use of symbols within a

story

.

What is symbolism in a play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?

In his play Julius Caesar, Shakespeare uses symbols to express multiple ideas at once. When the officials tear the decoration from Caesar’s statues, it symbolizes

the desire to topple Caesar

. Throughout the play, the crown symbolizes a position of power or kingship.

What is a symbolic significance?

adjective. If you describe an event, action, or procedure as symbolic, you mean that

it represents an important change

, although it has little practical effect.

What does a snake symbolize?

Historically, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of

rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing

. The ouroboros is a symbol of eternity and continual renewal of life.

What does a grasshopper symbolize?

The grasshopper’s traits and symbols are

abundance, achievement, astral travel, courage, fearlessness, fertility

, forward-moving and thinking, happiness, intuition, longevity, leaps of faith, patience, peacefulness, and wealth, and virtue.

What does cat symbolize?

Cat meaning and symbolism includes

elegance, curiosity, independence, protection, magic, and other notable qualities

. For thousands of years, people have been captivated by cats. Even before wild cats became domesticated, ancient cultures believed in the cat spirit animal.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.