{"id":5630,"date":"2017-12-18T17:00:31","date_gmt":"2017-12-19T01:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/blog\/?post_type=essay-writing-blog&p=5630"},"modified":"2020-08-02T07:55:04","modified_gmt":"2020-08-02T14:55:04","slug":"identify-write-about-literary-symbols","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/essay-writing-blog\/identify-write-about-literary-symbols\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Identify and Write About Literary Symbols With Confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"

One time, in the ninth grade, we were reading The Cask of Amontillado<\/i> by Edgar Allan Poe. We were discussing what Poe meant<\/i> by what he wrote, specifically about the symbolism of the short story<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A boy in the class asked why Poe just didn\u2019t say what he meant instead of hiding the meaning in symbols and metaphors. I\u2019m sure we\u2019ve all felt the same way at some point. But the answer to that boy\u2019s question was that the story would be really dry and boring.<\/p>\n

Symbolism is one of many literary devices used not only to bring more meaning to a story but also to make it more captivating.<\/p>\n

If you have trouble writing about literary symbols, or even finding them in the first place, you\u2019re not alone. Plenty of students are in the same boat. But don\u2019t worry, I\u2019m here to help you navigate through the rough seas of symbol-searching.<\/p>\n

What Is Symbolism?<\/h2>\n

The first thing we have to talk about is what symbolism<\/i> and symbols<\/i> mean.<\/p>\n

Put simply, literary symbols<\/i> are objects, actions, places, words, colors, and sometimes characters that signify something different from their original meaning. Symbolism<\/i>, then, is the use of symbols within a story.<\/p>\n

Symbols exist everywhere, even outside of literature<\/a>. Think about the American flag, for instance. The 13 stripes on the flag symbolize<\/i>, or represent, the original 13 colonies, while the stars represent each of the current 50 states.<\/p>\n

Wedding ceremonies are also loaded with symbolism.<\/p>\n

The rings represent the lasting commitment the couple vows toward one another. Some people have knot-tying, sand-pouring, or candle-lighting traditions that symbolize the way two lives are becoming one through the marriage.<\/p>\n

It works the same way in literature. Authors may choose to make up their own unique symbols or use some more common ones.<\/p>\n

70 Common Literary Symbols<\/h2>\n

Most authors use some common symbols within their texts.<\/p>\n

Using symbols people already know helps readers realize what the symbols represent without the need for much more explanation. It keeps the story or poem more succinct, understandable, and enjoyable to read.<\/p>\n

Below are some of the most common literary symbols, separated by category.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that, just because authors use a color or an object in their writing, it doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s necessarily a symbol. They could be describing the colors of a sunset for imagery purposes instead.<\/p>\n

I know\u2014confusing, right? So how are you supposed to know when something represents a bigger idea or when it\u2019s just part of the prose?<\/p>\n

How to Tell When Something Is Really <\/i>a Symbol<\/h2>\n

Now that you have an idea of what symbolism is and what a few of the most common literary symbols are, it\u2019s time for the hard part\u2014identifying the symbols within the book, play, or poem you\u2019re reading.<\/p>\n

Hopefully, these next few pointers will make the process easier.<\/p>\n

1. Look at descriptions<\/h3>\n

<\/b>If a character is always dressed in purple clothing and wearing a crown, these items probably symbolize the character’s power, wealth, and royal status. If the items disappear later in the story, you can see the character might have lost power and royal status. <\/b><\/p>\n

Colors, numbers, objects, and names can all be literary symbols. And if certain descriptions of objects appear regularly throughout the text, they\u2019re probably symbols.<\/p>\n

2. Look for repetition<\/h3>\n

Symbols hardly ever appear just once. Think about The Sixth Sense<\/i>. In that movie, whenever a ghost is about to appear or is in the scene, the color red<\/a> is always present. If this just happened once or twice, it probably wouldn\u2019t mean much.<\/p>\n

But the fact that it happens every time makes it symbolic. <\/b>The same thing happens in literature. If a character only appears at night (think vampires) throughout the book, the character probably represents some evil or mystery.<\/p>\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
Stuck on Your Analytical Essay?<\/div>\n\t\t\t
Check Out These Example Analytical Essays<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes! Show me examples.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

3. Pay attention to the turning points in a story<\/h3>\n

When a symbol does only appear once or twice in a story, it\u2019ll be around the turning points. Think about a rainbow after a large storm. The characters may have struggled through the storm, but the rainbow symbolizes hope and peace.<\/p>\n

Thus, turning points are your cue to pay attention. If there’s a dramatic shift in the tone or plot, you can probably find a symbol or two in the text.<\/p>\n

Writing About Literary Symbols With Confidence<\/h2>\n

Writing with confidence about any<\/i> literary device<\/a> can be challenging. But there are a few ways that can help.<\/p>\n

First, do your research.<\/p>\n

If you just can\u2019t find any literary symbols in the book or poem you\u2019re reading, find out what others are saying about it. There are websites where you can find the common symbols in many popular stories. Kibin\u2019s a pretty valuable resource too. Just look at these posts:<\/p>\n