symbolism definition
symbolism is a literary device that refers to the use of symbols in a literary work. a symbol is something that represents or suggests something else; represents something beyond the literal meaning. In literature, a symbol can be a word, object, action, character, or concept that incorporates and evokes a variety of meanings and additional meanings.
for example, in his poem “fire and ice”, robert frost uses symbolism to indicate to readers how the world can be destroyed:
You are reading: Examples of symbols in books
Some say the world will end in fire, others say in ice. from what I have tasted of the desire I have with those who favor the fire. but if I had to perish twice, I think I know enough about hate to say that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice.
In the poem, fire symbolizes destructive and consuming emotions such as jealousy, the desire for power, anger, and impulsiveness. ice, in the poem, symbolizes destructive and holding emotions such as hate, indifference, loneliness and isolation. of course, the poet indicates to the reader that the literal meanings of fire and ice make them capable of destroying and ending the world. however, it is the symbolism of fire and ice that enhances the meaning and importance of the poem.
common examples of symbolism in everyday life
words, objects and even everyday concepts often have more than one meaning. Over time, certain aspects of everyday life and experience evolve in meaning and associated meaning, making them symbols of something other than what they really are. here are some common examples of symbolism in everyday life:
- rainbow: symbolizes hope and promise
- red rose: symbolizes love and romance
- four-leaf clover: symbolizes good luck or fortune
- wedding ring: symbolizes commitment and marriage
- red, white, blue: symbolizes American patriotism
- green traffic light: symbolizes “go” or continue
- blooming tree- symbolizes the spring season
- pilgrim hat- symbolizes the thanksgiving holiday
- dollar sign- symbolizes money, profit, wealth
- shopping cart image: symbolizes online shopping
examples of types of symbolism and their effects
Writers use many kinds of symbolism, both as a way of conveying meaning to their readers in general and as a method of allowing individual readers to make their own interpretations and discover meaning. Furthermore, different types of symbols create different effects for readers, although the overall goal of symbolism as a literary device is to enhance the reader’s experience with literature.
See Also: 19 Best Math Books for Kids
here are some examples of types of symbolism and their effects:
- emotion: Symbols often evoke emotional responses in readers, allowing them to invest in the plot and characters. this emotional effect of symbolism also creates a lasting impression on the reader of the literary work.
- images: Symbols can create images and provide visuals that enable readers to understand themes complex literary this also has a beneficial effect on writers so that they don’t feel too reliant on language to explain its intended meaning.
- theme connection: symbols can connect themes for readers within a single literary work and across literature itself. this allows for a greater understanding of literature as an art form.
- Character Attributes: Symbols can represent different character attributes, both literally and figuratively. this has an effect on readers as they can identify character traits and understand their actions based on the symbolism of the literary work.
- deeper meaning: the symbolism it also allows writers to convey deeper meaning in their work to the reader. this creates a layered effect of understanding so that different readers can find their own individual meaning in a literary work, and individual readers can find different levels of meaning with each exposure to the literary work.
famous examples of symbolism in movies
Symbolism is also a resource used by many film artists. Symbolism in film allows the audience to make connections and understand meaning, adding to both the entertainment and thematic value of a film.
here are some famous examples of symbolism in well-known movies:
- white cowboy hat = hero in classic westerns
- mockingbird = innocence in killing a mockingbird
- balloons = hopes and dreams in disney’s up
- feathers = beginnings and endings in forrest gump
- yellow brick road = street paved with gold in the wizard of oz
- coin toss = destiny, chance, free will in no country forever men
- fog = confusion and the unknown in apocalypse now
- cat = home and belonging at breakfast in tiffany’s
- doors = separation and transition in the godfather
- doors = separation and transition in the godfather
- li>
- deer = prey and vulnerability in leaving
difference between symbolism and motif
symbolism and motif are effective literary devices that may seem synonymous or interchangeable. however, these devices serve different purposes in the literature. symbolism, as a device, uses symbols in such a way that the concept of a word or object represents something beyond its literal meaning. the symbols may appear individually or multiple times in the literature. A motif is a recurring element, in the form of an image, phrase, situation, or concept, that is an integral part of the plot and appears several times throughout a literary work and emphasizes or draws attention to the overall theme.
examples of symbolism in literature
symbolism is an effective literary device used by writers to connect with readers and enable them to actively participate in understanding the deeper meaning of a literary work. writers use symbolism to evoke emotion, create a sensory experience, and demonstrate the artistic use of language so that words have both literal and figurative meanings. here are some examples of symbolism in literature:
example 1: the menagerie of glass animals (tennessee williams)
yes, movies! look at them, all these glamorous people, having affairs, hoarding everything, gobbling everything! do you know what happens? people go to the movies instead of moving! Hollywood characters are supposed to have all the adventures for everyone in America, while everyone in America sits in a dark room and watches them have them! yes, until there is a war. that’s when adventure is available to the masses! everyone’s dish, not just gable! then the people in the dark room come out of the dark room to have some adventures, good good! — now it’s our turn, go to the island in the south sea — go on safari — be exotic, far away!
in williams’ work, tom’s character goes to the movies frequently to escape the monotony and pressure of his life at home with his mother and sister. therefore, the movies offer Tom both a literal and a figurative escape from her home, albeit a passive escape into the dark with no real adventure experience. The movies symbolize Tom’s dreams and fantasies, as well as his unattainability and fabricated reality. In this passage, Williams also makes an artistic and ironic use of the word “movies” in that the act of going to the movies actually makes Tom feel more stagnant, stuck, and immobile.
example 2: the lesson (toni cade bambara)
See Also: Top 20 Digital Marketing Books Every Marketing Professional Should Read
Miss Moore lines us up in front of the mailbox where we started from, it seems like years ago, and my head aches from thinking so much. and we lean into each other so we can take the lecture she always finishes us off with at the end before thanking her for boring us to tears. but she just looks at us like she’s reading tea leaves. she finally she says, “well, what did you think of f.a.0. schwarz?”
rosie the giraffe mutters: “white people are crazy.”
in the tale of bambara, new york city’s famous toy store f.a.o. schwarz is a symbol of financial wealth and frivolous spending. Miss Moore’s character, taking a group of underprivileged black kids to the toy store, also wants F.A.O. schwarz to be seen as a symbol of the systemic social and racial division in America, as well as monetary separation. By exposing this group of children to such an outrageously expensive toy store, Miss Moore intends to teach them a lesson and instill in them a deeper concept of failed American opportunity and equality through the symbolism of F.A.O. schwarz.
example 3: the great gatsby (f. scott fitzgerald)
And as I sat there, pondering the unknown old world, I thought of Gatsby’s amazement when he first saw the green light at the end of Daisy Pier. he had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close to her that she could hardly miss it. he did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast darkness beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled under the night.
gatsby believed in the green light, the orgasmic future that year after year recedes before us. then he eluded us, but that does not matter: tomorrow we will run faster, we will stretch our arms further. . . . and a good morning——
So we keep sailing, boats against the current, incessantly receding into the past.
The color green is a strong motif in Fitzgerald’s novel, frequently used to reinforce themes of money, wealth, and materialism. Green light across the water from Gatsby’s house plays a part in this color motif; however, fitzgerald uses the green light at the end of the daisy pier as symbolism in the novel. In fact, as narrator Nick Carraway mentions in the above passage, Gatsby “believes” in the green light because of what he feels it symbolizes.
See Also: 17 Great Books about Hawaiʻi to Read Before your Trip
not only does the light represent gatsby’s future hopes and dreams, especially in terms of his love of daisy, but the green color of the light symbolizes, for gatsby, permission to follow and pursue these hopes and dreams . Despite knowing that Daisy is a married woman, Gatsby sees the green light as a guide and a signal to continue her wild goose chase to win Daisy.