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Decoding Symbolism: Unveiling Hidden Meanings in Literature

Explore the world of symbols and symbolism in literature. Understand the difference between general and specific symbols, learn how to identify and interpret symbols in stories, and delve into the depths of symbolic meanings in literary works.

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Decoding Symbolism: Unveiling Hidden Meanings in Literature

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  1. Symbols and Symbolism • A symbol is anything that hints at something else, usually something abstract, such as and idea or belief. • A literary symbol is an object, a person, a situation, or an action that has a literal meaning in a story but suggests or represents other meanings.

  2. General A general symbol is universal in its meaning. Even if a general symbol were removed from a work of literature, it would still suggest a larger meaning. Ex: Rose Two Types of Symbols

  3. Specific A specific symbol is not universal in its meaning. It acquires a specific meaning based on how it relates to the content of a novel, poem, etc. The symbol’s significance exists only within the content created by the author. Ex: Mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird Two Types of Symbols

  4. When writing about symbolism… • Identify the symbol, noting if an object • Appears repeatedly, • Has an unusually vivid quality, • Is described with language conveying much emphasis, or • Has more significance than its literal reality would suggest.

  5. When writing about symbolism… • Determine symbolic meanings. • Carefully examine how the symbol functions in relation to the story. • Ask yourself what idea is represented by the symbol.

  6. When writing about symbolism… • Classify the symbols. • Classification may reveal opposite relationships, such as symbols of good and evil, life and death, or eternal and ephemeral. • Symbols may also fall into isolated categories, such as destruction, innocence, or sexuality.

  7. When writing about symbolism… • Classify the meaning of a symbol. • Determine how much depth a particular symbol has and classify its possible meanings. • While your paper may focus on only one major symbol, you may be able to divide it into two specific meanings and two general meanings.

  8. Remember! • A symbol has a literal meaning in a story but suggests or represents other meanings. • Not all symbolism is obvious; often it is subtle and indirect.

  9. Symbols in The Bluest Eye

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