how to write an essay on symbolism

Symbolism in Literature: What Symbolism Is, and How to Use It In Your Writing

Sean Glatch  |  November 5, 2023  |  4 Comments

Symbolism describes the use of concrete images to convey abstract ideas. Because this literary device is widely open to interpretation, and because many readers form different relationships to concrete objects, this is one of the more slippery elements of literature to both understand and convey to an audience. Nonetheless, understanding symbolism, and knowing what is a symbol, are crucial to writing good poetry and prose.

What makes symbolism particularly tricky is understanding how an image is being employed in the text. For example, fire can represent destruction and evil, but it can also represent regrowth and the cycles of life. So, this article demystifies the complexities of symbolism in literature. Along the way, we’ll look at symbolism examples in poetry and fiction, before moving towards how to represent abstract ideas in your work.

What is symbolism in literature, and how do you wield it? Let’s define this slippery concept.

Symbolism Contents

What is a Symbol?

Symbolism in literature, symbolism in poetry.

• Universal Symbolism: Does It Exist?

Wielding Symbolism in Your Writing

Symbolism definition: what is symbolism in literature.

Symbolism refers to the use of representational imagery : the writer employs an image with a deeper, non-literal meaning, for the purpose of conveying complex ideas.

In literature, symbolism is the use of a concrete image to represent an abstract idea.

For example, the heart is often employed as a symbol of love. Obviously, love is more complex and full-bodied—it doesn’t just sit in the chest—but we constantly refer to a loving person as “having a big heart,” or a person who lost their love as “heartbroken.”

Sometimes, a symbol is the stepping stone for an extended metaphor . If the heart represents love, what does it mean when a heart is iced over, or two hearts beat in the same chest, or someone has the heart of a deer? While a good symbol can certainly stand on its own, it also creates opportunities to play with ideas in a way that abstract language prevents us from doing.

That said, a symbol is not a metaphor. Symbolism uses a relevant image to convey a relevant idea, whereas a metaphor compares two seemingly unrelated items. Unlike metaphors and similes, symbolism employs a symbolic image repeatedly through the text, with the intent of being a central image and idea of the text.

The trickiest part of understanding symbolism in literature is knowing which images are symbols, and why. To answer this, we must first dive deeper into the images themselves. What is a symbol?

A symbol is an image whose figurative meaning is much deeper than its literal one. It is an object, often ordinary and commonplace, that has been imbued with extraordinary significance.

What is a symbol: an image whose figurative meaning is much deeper than its literal one.

Some symbols are culturally specific. An example of a symbol that varies by culture is that of a marriage proposal. While many countries use engagement rings as a symbol of being betrothed,  the people of Wales often uses “ lovespoons ” to signify one’s partnership. In Thailand, a marriage proposal might be signified by a thong mun —gifts made out of gold.

Other symbols are either more universal, or else easily inferred from the text. For example, in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a green light represents all that is unreachable to Jay Gatsby. He sees a green light on the other side of the sound, where his love interest, Daisy, lives. Not only is Daisy unreachable, but so is everything she and the green light represents: the (perceived) stability and decadence of the American Dream.

Perhaps there is also symbolism in the color green itself: it is the color of money, and the “go” color of stoplights. This last interpretation is certainly laden with irony , because chasing his dreams is exactly what kills Jay Gatsby.

Because the green light is so far away from Jay, and because he’s never able to touch it (or Daisy, for that matter), it obviously represents some sort of unreachability. Because this image recurs throughout the novel, it is a clear example of symbolism—so much so, that the green light has become nearly universally understood, to the point that Lorde has a song inspired by the symbol.

Symbolism Examples

Symbolism operates slightly differently in poetry than in prose, primarily because of the differences in word choice and length in poetry vs prose . A symbol tends to recur in prose, in such a way that it becomes a motif or builds towards a broader theme . Each recurrence of the symbol complicates the idea that the image represents.

Because poetry tends to be shorter, it also tends to employ symbols more economically. Symbolism in poetry may be harder to interpret or understand, as the poem does not provide as much context for the reader, and thus requires the reader to make more inferences and interpretations.

As such, we’ll look at symbolism examples differently in prose and poetry. The below symbolism examples come from published works of literature.

“Big Mother” by Anya Ow

Read this short story here, in Strange Horizons .

Central symbol: Big Mother, a mythical snakehead fish.

What it represents: The loss of childhood innocence.

Symbolism examples in the text: Catching snakehead fish seems to be a rite of passage into adulthood: the oldest boy is obsessed with catching them. What’s more, when an uncle finds out that the children have caught snakeheads, he trusts them with his favorite rod. When the oldest boy misses out on catching Big Mother, he becomes obsessed with capturing this symbol of adulthood. Then, when he does catch Big Mother, she ensnares him. The only way to ensure the oldest boy’s safety is to bargain their current lives for their future ones.

Analysis: Big Mother represents the complicated relationship people have to adulthood. The children all glorify her at first, but the eldest children realize the sacrifice they must make to save themselves from her wrath. This darkens the moods of the eldest children, as they come to understand the permanence of adulthood, the fragility of innocence. What at first seems mystical and fantastic about the real world is actually laden with terror.

The fact that the river is paved over further complicates this theme. While the characters are saved from the fate they sealed, they also catapult further into a world that replaces magic and mystery with the practical and mundane.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

You can read the full play here, from Project Gutenberg.

HAMLET: Alas, poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kiss’d I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? Quite chop-fallen? Now get you to my lady’s chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come. Make her laugh at that.

HAMLET: No, faith, not a jot. But to follow him thither with modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it; as thus. Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beer-barrel?

Imperious Caesar, dead and turn’d to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away. O, that that earth which kept the world in awe Should patch a wall t’expel the winter’s flaw. But soft! but soft! aside! Here comes the King. The Queen, the courtiers. Who is that they follow? And with such maimed rites? This doth betoken The corse they follow did with desperate hand Fordo it own life. ’Twas of some estate. Couch we awhile and mark.

Symbol: Yorick’s skull.

What it represents: The inherent meaninglessness of life.

Symbolism examples in the text: Although many symbols recur through their texts, this symbol occurs exactly once. In Act V Scene I, Prince Hamlet comes across the skull of Yorick, his former jester. This encounter occurs towards the end of the play, after Hamlet’s depression, nihilism, and helplessness have radically altered his perspective of the world.

Analysis: Hamlet’s contemplation of Yorick’s skull reveals his belief that our lives are inherently meaningless. That Yorick used to make people laugh matters little, because now he can make people laugh no more. He is fated to the same end that the likes of Alexander and Caesar were fated towards, too. Hamlet’s contemplation here is especially meaningful, given that he is trying to avenge his father’s murder. Because he is visited by his father’s ghost, Hamlet tries to believe that a person’s life can have meaning after death; but, his father cannot avenge himself, so what meaning is there left to have, unless we, the living, remind ourselves of it?

It is strange to have an important symbol occupy such a small space in as long a text as Hamlet. The importance of this symbol stems partially from its endurance in pop culture: Yorick’s skull has inspired many novels, poems, songs, and works of art. Additionally, it is a memento mori , or reminder of death, which is a prominent theme in European artwork in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The full text of Jane Eyre can be retrieved here, from Project Gutenberg.

Symbol: The Red Room.

What it represents: The childhood obstacles Jane must overcome to achieve a life of happiness and freedom.

Symbolism examples in the text: We encounter the Red Room in Chapter 2. Jane is locked inside the Red Room by her unfair aunt after Jane stands up for herself against John Reed, her cousin. The Red Room is also where Jane’s uncle died. Jane and her cousins believe that the room is haunted by this uncle, so when Jane is locked inside, she first focuses on the injustice of it all, but then becomes so consumed by fear, and by her belief that her uncle might rise up from the dead, that she blacks out. Jane references this episode several times later in the novel, often to reflect on her journey.

Analysis: The color red is no accident: it represents anger, passion, fear, and intensity. Jane experiences all of this when her aunt imprisons her at only ten years old. The obvious symbolism here is that pure, righteous Jane is imprisoned inside the angry, intense wrath of her unloving family, but the novel encourages us to explore this further. The Red Room represents Jane’s ambivalent relationships to adults: they are always authoritarian, always ready to punish, and always ready to trap Jane inside their own worst impulses.

One possible interpretation of the color red is that it represents period blood, and thus the transition from childhood to adulthood. Jane is forced to be an adult before she’s ready, maturely handling the emotions of other adults when she’s still an innocent child.

Madeleine Wood argues that the Red Room continues to affect Jane, because her relationships to adults as a child manifests itself in her relationships to men as an adult. Remember, the society Jane grew up in was heavily patriarchal: grown women had to always defer to men as authorities. Yet, Jane desires freedom more than anything else, both as a child and as an adult, so the institutions of marriage and the patriarchy fundamentally challenge her freedoms. When she reflects on the Red Room as an adult, it is always juxtaposed to her relationship with a man. She even thinks about the Red Room after walking out on Rochester, an important suitor of hers in the novel.

Only when Jane is comfortable with herself and confident in her freedom is she able to find love and happiness, thus overcoming the burden symbolized by the Red Room.

“My Heart Leaps Up” by William Wordsworth

Retrieved here, from Academy of American Poets . 

My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky: So was it when my life began; So is it now I am a man; So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die! The Child is father of the Man; And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety.

Here’s an example of poetry with symbolism in which the symbol is employed only once, but very effectively. The rainbow represents the kind of natural beauty that children are best at admiring. If you remember observing nature as a child, you might remember being moved by a rainbow, or by a forest, or a desert, or by any number of beautiful things that abound on this Earth. Wordsworth asserts that “The Child is father of the Man” precisely because children are inspired by natural beauty in a way that adults are not. We have much to learn from kids and their relationship to our planet, and as an adult, this poem’s speaker hope to worship this beauty—”bound each [day] to each [day] by natural piety.”

“City Lake” by Chelsea DesAutels

Retrieved here, from The Slowdown.

Almost dusk. Fishermen packing up their bait, a small girl singing there’s nothing in here nothing in here casting a yellow pole, glancing at her father. What is it they say about mercy? Five summers ago this lake took a child’s life. Four summers ago it saved mine, the way the willows stretch toward the water but never kiss it, how people laugh as they walk the concrete path or really have it out with someone they love. One spring the path teemed with baby frogs, so many flattened, so many jumping. I didn’t know a damn thing then. I thought I was waiting for something to happen. I stepped carefully over the dead frogs and around the live ones. What was I waiting for? Frogs to rain from the sky? A great love? The little girl spies a perch just outside her rod’s reach. She wants to wade in. She won’t catch the fish and even if she does it might be full of mercury. Still, I want her to roll up her jeans and step into the water, tell her it’s mercy, not mud, filling each impression her feet make. I’m not saying she should be grateful to be alive. I’m saying mercy is a big dark lake we’re all swimming in.

This poem tells you precisely what the central symbol represents: the lake symbolizes mercy. Yet, the two have no easy relationship, and the poem constantly complicates the concept of mercy itself. Rather than highlight the grace of mercy—how wonderful it is to be saved—this poem reminds us that mercy is just a form of chance: random with whom it saves and with whom it doesn’t. No matter how well the narrator “steps carefully” through the lake, she can never predict how and why anyone receives mercy.

“Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson

Retrieved here, from Poetry .

Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me – The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste And I had put away My labor and my leisure too, For His Civility –

We passed the School, where Children strove At Recess – in the Ring – We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain – We passed the Setting Sun –

Or rather – He passed Us – The Dews drew quivering and Chill – For only Gossamer, my Gown – My Tippet – only Tulle –

We paused before a House that seemed A Swelling of the Ground – The Roof was scarcely visible – The Cornice – in the Ground –

Since then – ’tis Centuries – and yet Feels shorter than the Day I first surmised the Horses’ Heads Were toward Eternity –

This poem employs a lot of symbols, most notably in the third stanza. The images used each signify a different stage of life. The school represents childhood. The fields of gazing grain represent adulthood—grain is fertile, in its prime, and it “gazes” upwards towards the sky. The setting sun represents old age. Though each of these symbols are employed only once, they are certainly evocative in the context of Death personified, as the poem suggests each of us are on a horse drawn carriage towards the afterlife.

Universal Symbolism: Does it Exist?

The theorist Erich Fromm divides symbolism into three categories: conventional, accidental, and universal symbolism.

Conventional S ymbolism is closely related to concrete imagery. Essentially, it is the use of images which everyone in a particular language can understand. When I say “light bulb,” you imagine some sort of glass bulb with a filament inside. We might have different mental images, but we agree on the same meaning. This is a non-interpretive form of symbolism, and in semiotics , we’re essentially referring to the sign, signifier, and signified.

Accidental S ymbolism might be best described as specific to a certain person. We form relationships to objects all the time: some positive, some negative. A character might form a specific relationship to an object, and that relationship will continue to affect this character throughout the story. For example, let’s say your character won the lottery using a $5 bill they found on the street. They might assume that every time they find a $5, something lucky is about to happen, making that $5 bill a symbol of luck.

Finally, Universal Symbolism refers to images which, over time, have developed a symbolic meaning that we all instantly recognize. These symbols are understood across time and culture: a heart represents love, the sky represents limitlessness, and a fire represents power—or destruction, or rebirth, depending on how it’s employed.

However, don’t be misled by the word “universal”—it is better to see these categories as postmarks along a spectrum, as few, if any, symbols would actually be understood by every person in the world.

Additionally, don’t assume that “universal” is automatically better. Because these symbols are well understood, they are also often cliché . It is important to employ imagery in fresh, interesting ways, using the context of your work to discover new and surprising relationships between images and ideas. Often, using a poem or story to expand upon the accidental symbols (of your life or the lives of your characters) will result in more impactful imagery.

Lastly, you may be interested in the idea of the “ objective correlative .” An objective correlative is a device that makes an abstract idea concrete in the context of a piece of literature. An obvious example of this is the mirror in The Picture of Dorian Gray , which represents Dorian’s soul as it becomes corrupted by vanity. T. S. Eliot, who popularized the term, argues that a work of literature should arrange images and symbols precisely so that they evoke a certain meaning without telling us the meaning itself. It is, in essence, a way to exercise show, don’t tell .

Here’s some advice for employing symbolism in literature:

• Be concrete. Use images that are easy to visualize and grounded in everyday reality.
• Be specific. Show the reader exactly what the symbol looks like. The more physical detail you provide, the easier it is to explore the complexities of what your symbol represents.
• Prefer the accidental to the universal. There’s no problem with employing universal symbolism, but you should have at least one accidental symbol in your work, as it will often reveal the most about the story or poem you write.
• Be spontaneous. Don’t write with symbolism in mind, just employ imagery tactfully. Writers often don’t realize what their work means until after they’ve written and revised it; trying to muscle meaning into your work might limit the work’s possibilities.
• Don’t overthink it. There’s no “perfect image” to represent any particular idea. We all forge our own relationships to different objects. Sure, the heart can represent love. So can the dining table, a lightning strike, the stomach, the ocean, or a pair of shoes.

Make Your Writing Symbolic at Writers.com

Whether you write poetry or prose, the instructors at Writers.com are masters of imagery and symbolism. Receive the benefits of focused feedback and a friendly writing community in any of our upcoming creative writing classes .

Sean Glatch

this is great information – I shared it with my Facebook group – The Fringe 999 – we emerging artist and are always looking for information like this – thank you

Thank you, Laura! I’m glad you found this article helpful. Happy writing!

Very educational and enlightened. I learned a lot from the article. Thank you.

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How to Write a Symbolism Essay: The Great Gatsby, The Lottery, & Other Examples

In this article, we will discuss the keys to a good symbolism essay. You should know many nuances to master this type of writing.

Symbolism essay isn’t the same as other types of essays. Let’s say you’re writing The Yellow Wallpaper symbolism essay. Under no circumstances should you retell the whole plot of the story.

So, we are here to help you become a symbolism essay professional.

Let’s get down to it!

• 🤿 Symbolism Essay Writing Guide

📐 Symbolism Essay Outline

📚 symbolism essay topics, 🤿 symbolism essay – writing guide.

It’s time for us to look into the main aspects of the essay on symbolism.

First, we will try to define it. After that, check for information about the most common symbols in literature.

What Is an Essay on Symbolism?

A symbol is an object, or phenomena, or anything else, that has some additional notions behind it. In literature, the setting, an object, or an image can symbolize something.

A symbol in literature is a device for delivering multiple meanings and ideas through an image, concept, or object. That means an object in question has other layers of meaning beyond the literal one.

For instance, specific colors may be associated with certain ideas. What comes to your mind at the thought of black color? Probably, death, or grief, or tragedy. So, the author uses this color to express a gruesome atmosphere.

This is how symbolism works.

Common Symbols in Literature

There’s an endless number of symbols in literature, and they all are different. However, most authors use particular types of symbols: objects, events, and characters. We will try to interpret them with you.

We suggest considering some examples of symbolism in literature.

Symbolic objects are everything that exists in the material world. For example, things, their parts, animals and birds, plants. In other words, it is anything you can potentially touch.

An American poet Sara Teasdale uses a flower as a symbol of the wisdom of youth in her poem Wild Asters . In the lines,

In the spring I asked the daisies If his words were true, And the clever, clear-eyed daisies Always knew.

Teasdale chooses symbolism through personification. The daisies serve as a symbol for youth wisdom and can give answers.

Symbolism can also be developed through characters representing abstract ideas and delivering a solid association. Animals count, too, if they play a significant role in a plot. Let’s not exclude spirits, ghosts, and other mythical creatures because they are often common symbols in literature.

• Shakespeare was intensely into symbols. For example, in Hamlet , one can find a lot of them. If you read the play, you must remember two gravediggers. One of whom was a reflecting man with philosophical views. His appearance and philosophical attitude aren’t accidental. The gravedigger signified the idea of all people being equal before the face of death.
• In the same play, the ghost of Hamlet’s father serves a significant symbolic role. Metaphorically, his presence foreshadows the upcoming tragic events for Claudius, the Queen, and Denmark in general. The whole concept of a dead man’s image can give chills. That’s why this image is powerful enough to create an ominous atmosphere.

Authors can use dramatic changes and twists to symbolize a new phase. One can identify symbolic meanings from how the plot unfolds and what events occur. This is an excellent way to deliver the idea of a character’s inner changes. Let’s look into examples closer.

• In Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, the weather changes play a significant role. Whenever a storm was about to come, some tragic events took place. Lousy weather symbolized growing tension and negativity that later broke into a scandal or drama. Such a literary device as foreshadowing is used here and expressed to readers through symbolism.
• John Fowls also used elements of symbolism in his books. His famous novel The Magnus has numerous symbols and metaphors. For instance, Alison staged her suicide and later showed up in front of Nicholas. Her fake suicide symbolized the death of her old self and further rebirth. She wanted to do everything for Nicholas but was weak. Once she appears again, we see a completely new person – solid and decisive.

Other Symbols

Basically, you can refer anything to this class of symbols. We’ll be talking about those that don’t fit into the previous groups. There are plenty of them: various details of other characters, objects, motifs—for example, colors, sounds, or composition.

• If you write color symbolism in The Great Gatsby essay, you won’t have any problems. The novel is drenched in color symbols. Here’s proof: Fitzgerald uses white to symbolize innocence and purity. Yellow color foreshadows a tragedy: Gatsby walked under yellowing trees right before being killed.
• Even the whole story can symbolize something. Take Animal Farm by George Orwell. The animal farm illustrates the savage ruling regimes, such as fascist and Soviet Russian. The author carried the allegory through the whole novel.

How to Write a Symbolism Essay – Analysis

We want to provide you with a guideline on symbolism essay writing:

In this part, we will discuss a symbolism essay outline. It consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion, like any other academic paper. Read about the importance and different ways to outline an essay in our article about outline making.

Let’s go through a symbolism essay outline.

Symbolism Essay Introduction

You can choose anything for the symbolism analysis. Make sure your readers are perfectly aware of your choice too. Introduce them to the subject. Speak on it generally so that the audience can get the idea of a symbol. In the end, explain why you chose this particular topic for the symbolism essay.

Symbolism Essay Body

Now, it’s time to specify the symbol you chose. Elaborate on it: what is written in the book? What general sense this symbol has beyond literature? Tell about your associations – what does this symbol represent for you? Besides, discuss why it’s essential to analyze it in an essay on symbolism.

Remember to back up your opinion with the facts from an original text.

Symbolism Essay Conclusion

Wrap up your essay by writing a consistent concluding paragraph. You can do it by bringing up all the points mentioned in the body. Once again, show that the symbol is significant to talk about. Finally, sum up all the main ideas. Use our free summary generator to develop a good resume of your key thoughts.

Now you know how to write a symbolism essay but let’s look at some examples first.

Looking for a good topic for your symbolism essay? In this section, you will find some awesome ideas for your paper.

• Symbols in “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker.
• Symbolism in Emily Dickinson’s “Because I Could Not Stop for Death.”
• The Christmas tree as a symbol in Henrik Ibsen’s play “A Doll’s House.”
• The symbols of life and death in the poem by Dylan Thomas “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.”
• Symbolism in “On Being Brought From Africa to America” by Wheatley.
• “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty: Analysis of symbols.
• Conflict and symbolism in Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants.”
• The symbolic meaning of fire in the Fahrenheit 451 novel by Ray Bradbury.
• Symbols in the book Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody.
• The symbols of success and failure in the Death of a Salesman play by Arthur Miller.
• Symbolism in the Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass by Fredrick Douglass.
• The symbolic nature of Frost’s poetry.
• “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin: Analysis of symbols.
• How symbols help reveal characters in “Doll’s House” by Ibsen.
• What is the symbolic meaning of a streetcar in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams?
• “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin: The symbolism of darkness.
• The scarlet letter as the most powerful symbol in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
• Symbolism of quilts in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use.”
• Franz Kafka and “The Metamorphosis”: The symbols of humanity.
• Symbols in “Woman Hollering Creek” by Sandra Cisneros.
• Religious symbolism in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor.
• “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain: The symbolism of different settings.
• Symbols of friendship in “The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich.
• The Epic of Gilgamesh : Religious symbols.
• Nature as a symbol in “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost.
• Symbolism in “The Deserted Village” by Oliver Goldsmith.
• The symbolic meaning of money in “Brother, I’m Dying” by Edwidge Danticat.
• Major symbols in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles.
• Symbols related to mental illness in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey.
• The symbolism of bathing suits in “A&P” by John Updike.
• Color symbolism in Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.
• “The Fish” by Elizabeth Bishop: Analysis of symbols.
• Symbols in Middlemarch by George Eliot.
• The Question of Hu by Jonathan D. Spence: Symbolism.
• Characters as symbols in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried .
• White elephants as a symbol of an unwanted child in “Hills Like White Elephants” by Hemingway.
• The symbolism of a handkerchief in “Othello” by William Shakespeare.
• Symbolism in “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving.
• The symbolic meaning of schools in The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger.
• Aunt Martha as a symbol of womanhood in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Jacobs.
• Themes and symbolism of Native Son by Richard Wright.
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: The symbolic meaning of the book’s title.
• Symbolism in The Tragic History of Doctor Faustus by Marlowe.
• The symbolic nature of food in Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.
• The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño: Analysis of symbols.
• Emily’s house as a symbol in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner.
• What symbols are used in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Hurston?
• The symbolic meaning of the veil in “The Souls of Black Folk” by Du Bois.
• What symbols reflect good and evil in “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe?
• The symbolism of the bridge in A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller.
• Symbols in The World is Flat — the Book by Thomas L. Friedman.
• The symbolic meaning of the title of the story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
• How is materialism symbolically reflected in Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer?
• The symbolism of blindness in “Cathedral” — the story by Raymond Carver.
• Yorick’s skull as a symbol of equality in Shakespeare’s Hamlet .
• Symbols in Claude McKay’s Crazy Mary .
• The symbolism of the title in Fences by August Wilson.
• Analysis of symbols in “On the Death of Dr. Robert Levet” by Levet.
• The symbols of racial and gender discrimination in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.
• Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave Memoir: The symbols of slavery.

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Literary Techniques: Symbolism

You know how apples are often associated with temptation? That's symbolism. In this post, we explain what symbolism is, how to analyse it, and how to discuss it in your essays,

Guide Chapters

• How to analyse poetry and prose
• Colour Palette
• Character Archetypes
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• In medias res
• Juxtaposition
• Lighting - Film
• Mise en scene - Film
• Montage - Film
• Music - Film
• Shot angles - Film
• Symbolism - Film

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Welcome to our glossary of Literary Techniques  SYMBOLISM post. This post expands on symbolism, which is one of the many techniques from our Literary Techniques Part 1: Techniques for Analysing a Written Text guide.

Table of Contents

What is symbolism, how does symbolism work.

• How to analyse symbolism – step-by-step

Symbolism examples

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Some common student questions about symbolism are:

• How do I identify symbols and find its meaning?
• How do I discuss symbolism in my essay?

Here, we will define symbolism, discuss the purpose of symbolism in texts, and take you through a step-by-step process – using examples – to show you how to discuss it in your responses.

Literary techniques: Symbolism

Symbolism is a powerful and common technique used by composers to provide more depth and significance to an idea through an object, action, situation, or character.

This is quite similar to a metaphor . However, whereas, a metaphor explicitly compares two subjects, symbolism requires the audience to search for a meaning themselves.

Let’s unpack this for you in a bit more detail.

Symbolism is when a symbol (object, action, subject…) is used to represent another meaning that is different from its literal definition.

However, there is one important thing to consider when analysing symbolism:  context .

Let’s say a couple was filmed and a red filter was used over the shot. If the couple was arguing, you would automatically associate red with anger and frustration. So, if this scene was changed to portray them smile and hug each other, would your perspective on this colour change?

You see, when it comes to deciphering the meaning of a symbol, it is very important to consider the context in which the symbol appears.

There are so many different ways you can interpret a symbol.

And they’re NOT all wrong! Symbolism’s implicit nature forces you to engage with the text, and think outside the box. This helps the composer hammer a message into your mind. And this is why symbols are so powerful and so commonly used.

Often, there is a universal agreement on what certain objects represent. For example, someone from Australia and someone from Japan would both see skulls as a symbol of death and mortality. This is because we were taught to associate certain visual images to an abstract idea from a young age.

Knowing this, composers use this association to their advantage when creating texts by using symbols.

However, a symbol’s meaning is not always so explicit. This is when you need to consider the characteristics that this object holds and the significance of such qualities in relation to the text’s themes and messages. We will go into further detail about this process in the next section.

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How to analyse symbolism? – A step-by-step process

Symbols can sometimes be hidden within a text. However, there are some methodical steps that will aid you in identifying and analysing them. All you need to do is to keep practising.

• Read the passage. See if there is a subject that stands out to you, is repeated, or can usually be associated with another meaning.
• What is the object?
• What are its main characteristics?
• What is the significance of this characteristic? Think about the THEMES in your text.
• What can this mean? Link to the text’s themes and messages.
• What is the author’s intention in using a symbol?
• How would the audience react to such findings?
• Discuss your insights in a  T.E.E.L  structure.

Now, we have an overview of how to identify and analyse symbolism, let’s do it together using examples.

Step 1: Identify any objects that seem significant

Symbols can be easy or hard to identify. Usually, they stand out, reoccur throughout the text, or are given special attention by the composer. It can come in various forms like objects, physical features, actions or even characters. However, sometimes they can be hidden. It is up to you to decide whether or not it is significant.

Let’s have a look at an extract from an HSC Module B text: Shakespeare’s  Henry IV,  Act 1, Scene 2

‘I know you all, and will awhile uphold The unyoked humor of your idleness. Yet herein will I imitate the sun, Who doth permit the base contagious clouds To smother up his beauty from the world, That, when he please again to be himself, Being wanted, he may be more wondered at By breaking through the foul and ugly mist Of vapors that did seem to strangle him.’

Here, we see that Prince Henry has agreed to put on a rowdy persona as part of a scheme to impress the public when he becomes ‘good’.

When you read this, what are some strong visual images that stand out to you? Think about common symbols used by composers or if there are any extra details or description regarding a certain object. (REMEMBER, keep thinking about possible meanings that the objects and/or images can hold as you come across them. That way, you are not mindlessly searching for interesting objects).

‘The sun’, ‘Contagious clouds’, ‘Foul and ugly mist’

From this, we can identify that the sun and the clouds are symbols.

Step 2: Figure out the meaning of this symbol

After finding the symbol, think about the most common ideas that are usually represented by this object. In our case, the sun traditionally holds religious connotations, representing heavenly light, God, or even rebirth. However, we must take context into consideration:

• According to the plot, Prince Henry has just decided to hide his good nature behind a persona
• A major theme in this text is ‘legitimacy of power.’

From these two pieces of context, we can deduce that Shakespeare has used the sun to represent God’s characteristic (goodness) in Prince Henry.

But do we have more evidence to support this? Let’s look further by unpacking another symbol.

We see that Shakespeare has also referenced clouds and mist. A characteristic that these two have in common is its murkiness. We can then identify the significance of the murkiness; it has the ability to hide things. Therefore, taking another step, we can conclude that the clouds and mist are symbolic of a hidden truth.

Now, when we tie these two findings together, we can figure out the meaning.

The sun hidden by the clouds is symbolic of Prince Henry’s good nature that is masked behind a persona of a misbehaved man.

However, that is not all…

Step 3: What effect does this symbol have on the audience?

First, we need to figure out what the composer’s intended message is. In this case, Shakespeare is trying to warn his audience of the corruption existing in politics.

So why use symbolism out of all techniques? Well, we need to think about how the audience will react.

As mentioned above, symbolism forces us to directly engage with the text by invoking deep thoughts about its themes as we try to figure out the meaning behind the symbols. As such, the use of symbolism here confronts us with the truth about the corruption in politics, as we realise the extent of manipulation and deceit used for one to achieve and sustain power.

Step 4: Put your findings into a T.E.E.L paragraph

Now, we have all the necessary ingredients to put together a  T.E.E.L paragraph.

T.E.E.L stands for:

• Technique : The technique used in the example
• Example : The example
• Effect : Your explanation of the effect of this technique and how it develops meaning
• Link : An explanation of how this example supports your argument.

You can find a more detailed explanation of using  T.E.E.L in our post on paragraph structure  (this post is part of our series on Essay Writing and shows you the methods Matrix English Students learn to write Band 6 essays in the Matrix Holiday and Term courses). Let’s use this  T.E.E.L to write about this example of imagery.

• The  technique being used is symbolism
• The example of symbolism is “ Yet herein will I imitate the sun / Who doth permit the base contagious clouds / To smother up his beauty from the world. “
• The effect of this technique is that Shakespeare represents Prince Henry’s desire to uphold a misbehaved and rowdy persona, to fulfill his scheme of  gaining the awe and appreciation of his public when he changes into his good-natured self.
• The  link to our argument about the corruption of power is that Shakespeare horrifies his audience of the extent in which one uses manipulation and deceit to achieve their desired position of power, thus creating an awareness of the nature of politics.

Let’s put this into a complete statement about this use of symbolism.

Now, we have a solid understanding of symbolism and how to analyse it. What you need to do is read over this example again and make sure you keep practising analysing the symbolism you find to master this.

Symbolism is a commonly used technique. You will find symbols in many texts set for study. Now that we know how to analyse symbolism step-by-step, let’s take a look at another example to make sure you fully understand what symbolism is, and how to use it in your writing.

Let’s take a look at how to analyse symbolism a comparative study of texts for Year 12 Module A texts.

Symbolism example 1: Shakespeare’s,  King Richard III

In scene 5, the ghosts of those killed by King Richard III – whether directly or indirectly – return to haunt him.

“ Ghost of Clarence: Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow”

“ Ghost of Rivers:  Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow”

“ Ghost of Grey:  Thin upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!” 

“ All: Awake and think our / wrongs in Richard’s bosom / Will conquer him! Awake,”

Here, we see that the ghosts are symbolic of the divine power punishing Richard as he challenges the Great Chain of Being in his quest to become king. This is reflective of Shakespeare’s highly religious context where they believe in God’s retribution and predeterminism. This means that  one cannot climb up the social ladder, either through merit or the murderous point of a sword.

Symbolism example 2: Al Pacino’s ,  Looking For Richard .

Pacino has reinterpreted Shakespeare’s ghost scene in various ways.

Here, he removes the significance of the ghosts in the film and focuses on Richard’s tormented facial expressions, which is represented by the tilted camera angles and the close-up shots of Richard’s tormented face

From this, we know that in Pacino’s adaptation, the ghosts are no longer symbolic of God’s retribution. Instead, they represent the deterioration of Richard’s psyche as he is haunted by his realisation of the detrimental effects of his immoral actions during his quest to become king. This is influenced by Pacino’s 20th century secular context where there is an increased understanding of human psychology.

Now let’s put these two analyses together in the style of a Mod A comparative response:

You’ll notice, too, that this analysis includes more information about the context of the texts as required by the Module A syllabus.

Now you have a solid understanding of symbolism and how to use it, you want to ensure you start practising identifying and writing about it yourself.

Written by Matrix English Team

© Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au, 2023. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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What is Symbolism in Writing? Examples, Definitions, and How to Create Them

Sy mbol ism is w hen a writer uses an object , person , place , or action to represent something else , usually an idea or emotion . For example , in the Harry Potter series , the sorting hat is a symbol of the power of choice .

Or if someone says they ’ re feeling “ under the weather ” they ’ re actually not talking about the weather at all – they ’ re using a symbol for feeling sick . So you see , symbolism isn ’ t only for literature and fancy art – it ’ s for everyday life too !

What’s the Big Deal with Symbolism?

Imagine a world where everything has a hidden meaning, a secret message waiting to be discovered. That’s the world of symbolism! Symbols are everywhere, from traffic lights and emojis to the mascots of sports teams. Just like these everyday examples, authors use symbolism to communicate complex ideas, emotions, or themes in their writing. In literature, symbols can be anything from objects and animals to colors and names.

Decoding Symbolism in Writing: How Does It Work?

Symbolism in writing involves using words or images to represent something beyond their literal meaning. It can be as broad as representing a central theme or as specific as hinting at a character’s personality. Symbols help create vivid imagery in the reader’s mind and often work hand-in-hand with other literary devices like metaphors, personification, and allegory.

An allegory is a story where everything is symbolic, like George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” But more often, symbolism is woven into a story that can also be read literally.

Spotting Symbolism: Tips and Tricks

To identify symbolism, look for images or descriptions that seem to have deeper meaning or are emphasized by the author. Sometimes it’s obvious, like a character with a snake tattoo symbolizing deception. Other times, it’s subtle and might only be noticed on a second read-through.

When to Use Symbolism

Symbolism is used when plain language isn’t enough to convey the author’s message. It can make descriptions more powerful and enhance the reader’s understanding of a story, poem, or essay. However, symbolism is rarely used in academic writing, unless analyzing the symbolism in a piece of literature.

Different Ways to Use Symbolism

Here are some common ways authors use symbolism in their work:

Color symbolism – Colors can evoke emotions and have psychological associations. For example, red might symbolize passion or anger, while blue could represent tranquility.

Animal symbolism – Animals often have cultural associations or symbolize specific traits. For instance, a lion might represent strength or royalty, while a fox could symbolize cunning.

Examples Galore: Symbolism in Action

Here are some examples of symbolism involving colors, animals, and common objects:

• Butterfly = metamorphosis
• Lion = power, majesty
• Swan = elegance
• Owl = wisdom, knowledge
• Apple = temptation
• Chains = bondage
• Crown = authority
• Ring = eternity
• Scales = balance, justice
• Skull and crossbones = danger, toxicity

Remember, symbolism can vary across cultures, so it’s essential to consider your audience when using symbols in your writing.

Symbolism in Practice

Effective symbolism should strike a balance between being too obvious and too subtle. Start by determining what message you want to convey, then choose symbols that fit your theme or story.

Use allusions or personification to weave symbolism into your writing, but be cautious of “false symbolism” – when readers mistakenly interpret something as symbolic when it’s not.

Symbolism Everywhere

Symbolism isn’t limited to literature. It can be found in architecture, historical events, and more. Some examples include:

• The green light in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” symbolizing wealth and ambition
• NASA’s Apollo missions, named after the Greek god Apollo, symbolizing humanity’s exploration of the cosmos
• The Church of the Light in Japan, using light through a cross-shaped opening to represent faith

Frequently Asked Questions about Symbolism

Q: What is symbolism?

A: Symbolism is the use of words or images to represent ideas, people, objects, or events beyond their literal meaning. It’s a powerful tool for authors to communicate complex themes or emotions.

Q: How does symbolism work?

A: Symbolism works by substituting one distinct image for another concept, creating a deeper, more meaningful connection for the reader. It shows, rather than tells, and allows readers to interpret the author’s message on a figurative level.

Q: What are some examples of symbolism?

A: Some common examples of symbolism include:

• Red roses symbolizing love
• A rainbow symbolizing hope
• A dove symbolizing peace
• A lion symbolizing power and royalty
• Chains symbolizing bondage or restriction

Remember, symbolism can vary across cultures, so it’s essential to consider your audience when using symbols in your writing. Symbolism is a versatile and powerful storytelling tool that can add depth, complexity, and emotional resonance to any narrative. By skillfully incorporating meaningful symbols into a story, writers can create captivating narratives that connect with readers and leave a lasting impression.

If you’re thirsty for more writing knowledge, head over here to  learn all 74 literary devices .

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What Is Symbolism and How to Use It in Your Writing

If you’re a reader, you’ve encountered symbolism. Symbolism is a literary device in which a writer uses one thing—like an object, idea, or color—to represent another. 

Writers of all kinds use symbolism, and you can find examples of symbols in fiction, poetry, theater, creative nonfiction, graphic novels, and even journalism. It’s a way to deepen the meaning of a story, help the reader make associations, and nod to a shared culture. 

In this article, we’ll address what symbolism is, how to identify a symbol, and how to use it in your writing to create stronger, more vivid, and more meaningful stories. 

What is symbolism?

In literature, a symbol is a thing that stands for or represents something else. A symbol might be an object, a mark, an image, a character, a name, or a place—pretty much anything can serve as a symbol.  

Symbolism is a literary device that uses symbols to imbue meaning in a story. 

For example, in Sylvia Plath’s famous poem, “ The Colossus ,” the colossal statue the speaker constructs (the colossus) is a symbol of the poet’s relationship with her father, who died when she was a child, and her husband, from whom she had recently separated when the poem was written. 

You encounter symbolism in every art form, including painting, film and TV, sculpture, music, photography, and drama. You also see and recognize symbols in everyday life. A heart can be a symbol of love or devotion, flowers can symbolize an apology, the letter x might symbolize danger, a dog might symbolize companionship, or a scar might symbolize someone’s painful past.

Why use symbolism in your writing

Symbolism is like a shortcut to deeper meaning, and symbols can make a story more interesting to readers. Symbols can be very small elements of a story, like a wedding ring that symbolizes commitment (or a lost wedding ring that symbolizes infidelity), or they can even be the primary plot driver, like a natural disaster that symbolizes the global threat of climate change.

Symbols can also help your readers make associations. For example, if you want your reader to identify the villains in your story before they reveal their evil sides through their behavior, you could mark each with a symbol, like a scar, a specific article of clothing, an accent, or a name.

Symbols can be used to foreshadow events. Let’s say you want to signal to the reader that danger is on the way. You might symbolize that approaching danger with a storm, an argument, or an illness.

When repeated, symbols can become motifs. For example, if your characters fight with each other just before a tragedy strikes, every time tragedy strikes, then an argument becomes shorthand for something bad is on the way . In this case, the symbol of the argument is a motif that foreshadows tragedy. 

How to identify a symbol in literature

Symbolism relies on shared cultural understanding, and context is often important because symbols vary by culture, religion, time period, tradition, location, and even writing form. For example:

• In Irish culture, the harp is a symbol of national identity and pride. Within ancient Greek art, however, the harp is used as a symbol of wisdom.
• In the United States and many western European countries, purity is commonly symbolized by the color white. But in India, red is the color of purity. 
• In some contexts, the letter x can symbolize incorrectness or an error, in other contexts it can stand for an unknown quantity. 
• In western literary tradition, the color green can symbolize envy, but it can also symbolize luck, or it can symbolize wealth, or it can symbolize fertility and new growth.

Interpreting symbols

When interpreting symbols, consider the context in which the author is writing, their time period, and their artistic tradition. Here are some questions you might ask yourself:

• Who is the writer and what might their point of view be? When and where did they live? What kind of things did they write about?
• What is the point of view of the narrator? Does that differ from the author’s point of view or cultural context?
• Does the symbol reappear? In what context? Does it change?
• Is the symbol used by or associated with the protagonist or the antagonist?
• Who is the character that uses or interacts with the symbol? What is their point of view? Do you know what their goals are? What effect does the symbol have? How do they react?
• Following the appearance of the symbol, does the reader learn something new about the story or its characters? 

Types of symbolism

Symbolism enriches a narrative by weaving deeper meanings into the fabric of a story. It can be broadly categorized into two types: universal and contextual symbolism, each playing a unique role in storytelling.

Universal Symbolism refers to symbols that carry widely recognized meanings across different cultures and historical periods. These symbols tap into the collective unconscious, a term popularized by Carl Jung , suggesting that certain symbols have a common psychological resonance with people around the world.

For instance, the use of water as a symbol typically represents life, purification, and renewal, regardless of the reader’s cultural background. Similarly, the image of a serpent often evokes notions of danger, sin, or wisdom. These symbols are powerful because they are rooted in human experience and shared beliefs, making them accessible and impactful to a broad audience.

Contextual Symbolism , on the other hand, is specific to the setting, culture, or context of the story itself. These symbols might not be immediately recognizable to all readers but hold significant meaning within a particular narrative or amongst a specific group of people.

For example, a silver locket in a story might symbolize a family’s heritage and secrets in one book, while in another, it could represent unrequited love or loss.

Contextual symbols are shaped by the characters’ experiences, the time period, and the geographical or social backdrop against which a story unfolds. They enrich the narrative by adding a layer of depth that can be fully appreciated only within the context of the story.

Both types of symbolism are crucial in literature as they provide a way to express complex themes and emotions subtly and powerfully. While universal symbols connect a story to common human experiences, contextual symbols offer a deep dive into the specificities of the tale’s environment and characters, inviting readers to immerse themselves fully into the world the author has crafted.

By understanding and utilizing both universal and contextual symbolism, writers can create rich, layered narratives that resonate on multiple levels and leave a lasting impact on the reader.

What’s the difference between a symbol and a motif?

In literature, symbols and motifs are closely related. A motif is an idea or element that is repeated in a story for meaning.

Therefore, a symbol can become a motif if it reappears throughout a text. 

For example, one character might give another a bouquet of flowers to symbolize contrition for some wrong committed. Those flowers might become a motif if the character encounters flowers every time they realize they have done something wrong. 

If a symbol appears only once or twice in a story, then it’s not a motif. 

10 examples of symbols in literature

Every type of art uses symbolism in some way, and you can find symbols in every form of writing too. Here are some examples you might have encountered in literature.

• Edgar Allen Poe’s raven

One of the most famous examples of symbolism in western poetry is the raven in Edgar Allen Poe’s poem “ The Raven .” The raven’s persistent tapping at the speaker’s door represents his constant and long-lasting grief over the death of the beloved Lenore. 

• The act of sewing in The Color Purple

In Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple, sewing is a symbol of the collective power of women and what they can accomplish when they work together toward a common and beautiful goal—the creative freedom and economic independence.

• The black box in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”

In Shirley Jackson’s most famous short story, the black box represents the villagers’ sinister adherence to the lottery itself. Villagers aren’t entirely sure of the origins or purpose of the black box, just like they aren’t sure of the origins or purpose of the murderous lottery, yet it continues.

• Cigarettes in Persepolis

In Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis , the cigarettes that the teenage Marjane smokes are a symbol of her rebellion against her mother and against the expectations of culture on young women.

• The plant in A Raisin in the Sun

In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun , Mama’s plant is a symbol of her persistent love and affection for her family, specifically her children. She continues to care for the plant, just as she does for her children, despite the fact that she feels that she doesn’t always have enough to give. 

• Bound feet in The Warrior Woman

In The Warrior Woman by Maxine Hong Kingston, bound feet are a symbol of the restrictions placed on Chinese women and the cultural control over their bodies. 

• Fences in August Wilson’s Fences

Fences play a central role in August Wilson’s play Fences , of course. This is a symbol that serves many purposes. To Rose, a fence around the backyard represents her desire to keep her family close, but to Bono, a fence is a tool to keep people away. 

• The color blue in Joan Didion’s Blue Nights

In Joan Didion’s memoir Blue Nights , which chronicles the death of her daughter Quintana, the writer describes the blue light in the evening hours of summer, a symbol of her daughter’s departure. 

• The scarlet letter

Perhaps one of the most famous symbols in the western literary canon is the scarlet letter in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s eponymous novel. Hester Prynne is marked with the red letter A, a symbol that represents the way the community sees her, as an adulterer. By the end of the story, however, the letter becomes a symbol of Hester’s independence and freedom, even her virtue.

• Trees in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 

In Betty Smith’s novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn , trees and their ability to grow in harsh conditions, through city concrete, without sunlight, in terrible heat, represents the tenacity and resilience of the book’s main character Francie as well as her family and neighbors who live in the Brooklyn tenements. 

How to use symbolism in writing

If you’re new to using symbolism in your writing, objects and items are good places to start. 

Because symbolism requires some level of shared cultural understanding, consider your audience and choose something you believe they might recognize or associate with the idea you want to convey, but it’s OK if not everyone recognizes the symbol(s) you choose to employ in your writing. 

Let’s explore how symbolism might operate in a short story.

Imagine you’re writing about a character who is grieving the death of a family member. Instead of writing, “Rahim decided that he while he grieved the loss of his father, he would spend time thinking about their relationship, and so he planted a beautiful garden,” you could write, “When Rahim learned that his father had died, he could think of only one thing to do: plant a garden.”

The garden is a symbol of Rahim’s desire to express his grief in a physical way, and rather than telling the reader what he desires, as a writer you can deepen your story by showing that desire in the form of an abundant garden. When we learn that Rahim’s father was a gardener too, the garden also comes to symbolize the relationship between father and son.

Symbols can also evolve and drive the plot. For example, perhaps during the grieving process, Rahim finally acknowledges and comes to terms with how difficult it was to relate to his father when he was alive, and maybe their relationship was even hostile at times. Because the garden is a symbol of their relationship, the plants might fail to thrive and Rahim must struggle to keep the garden alive and continue grieving his father.

As a writer, you have a lot of power to manipulate your symbols. In the case of Rahim and his garden, consider how you might end the story: Does Rahim become a lifelong gardener or does he abandon the work after a summer of abundant growth? What is the significance of the central character’s relationship with the symbol, and how does it affect the meaning of the story?

The power of this symbol is that readers will enjoy the freedom to interpret the meaning of the garden rather than being told what it means. 

Paying attention to context

Even if there is a shared cultural context, symbols can have multiple interpretations. When writing, keep in mind the different ways your audience might interpret the symbol. 

Because the color green might symbolize envy or it might symbolize new growth, the way you employ green in the story will affect its significance.

Using symbols to establish irony

When using symbols in your writing, you don’t have to go with the obvious.

You can use symbolism to create irony or establish new worlds and paradigms. For example, because the color red is often a symbol of danger, you might choose to create a world in which a deep red sky signifies a peaceful land instead of one in peril. 

You can also use symbols for contrast. In one scene flowers may represent blossoming love, when one character gives flowers to another. In another scene, they may represent death or grief as one character lays flowers on a grave.

Ready to try out using some symbolism? Use one of our 500 writing prompts to get started!

Note: This post was updated on 4/26/2024

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3 comments on “ what is symbolism and how to use it in your writing ”.

I think sometimes symbolism jusst occurs natuarally like the way of https://rocketbotroyale.com/geometry-dash-breeze

Loved this post! Symbolism is such a powerful tool in writing, and it’s great to see tips on how to use it effectively. I’ll definitely be applying these strategies to my own writing. Thanks for sharing!

Symbolism is awesome. It garnishes literally work and adds enjoyability to a work of fiction, it is what usually gives an author some credible or lasting status as a writer.

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Understanding, Recognizing, and Examining Symbolism in Literature — Find Out How to Write a Symbolism Essay

As a middle school English teacher I’ve spent countless hours reading novels, short stories, poetry, and beyond with my students. We read for content, we read for meaning, we read for literary devices, we read for themes, we read for countless reasons.

With each new work of literature we read, we try to extract the story’s lesson, its central message, its theme.

If you’ve found yourself in the same position my students often find themselves, grappling to understand an abstract idea like symbolism, you’ve come to the right place. If you read on, you will be able to understand the following principles of writing a symbolism essay:

• Defining symbolism.
• The different types of symbolism.
• The function of symbolism in literature.
• Components of a symbolism essay.

How to Write a Symbolism Essay: Defining, Identifying, and Analyzing Symbols

One of the many ways we arrive at a work’s meaning is through an analysis of the literary devices employed by writers. When we get to our study of symbolism, students like you have no trouble understanding the overarching idea of symbolism. However, independently identifying and analyzing symbolism in a passage can be mind-boggling.

One of the easiest and most relatable examples I use to teach symbolism is the American flag. Concretely, it’s a rectangular piece of fabric with red and white stripes and white stars upon a navy blue background.

Symbolically, however, the flag means so much more. It represents our freedom, patriotism, the thirteen original colonies, the 50 states, liberty, justice, our independence from Great Britain, and so much more.

Easy peasy, right? You get it just like my students get it! But when they have to apply the idea of identifying symbolism in literature, they’re totally lost.

In trying to help my students recognize symbolism I’ve visited countless forums, blogs, university websites, and beyond to try to strategize ways to make the concept clearer. What it comes down to is, as with any other assignment, you have to be willing to do the work to conceptualize symbolism.

To be good a analyst of symbols, you need to truly understand what a symbol is. So let’s start in the same place I start with my own students: defining symbolism. After that, I’ll tell you how to write a symbolism essay.

Symbolism Defined

In short, symbolism is the literary device that refers to the use of words, colors, objects, people, locales, or ideas that represent an idea beyond itself.

If you’ve ever read F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” try to recall how frequently he references the color green. Green is widely accepted as symbolic of greed and money. In the novel, green represents the protagonist’s belief that he has to earn and maintain great wealth to win the heart of the object of his affection.

Symbolism calls on readers to make the connection between recurring objects, colors, words, etc., and their intended meaning. Ask yourself, is green just a descriptive word that modifies a noun? Or is there more to it than that? If, as a reader, you can attach greater significance to that recurring element, you’ve likely just identified symbolism.

In this helpful video, an Oregon State University professor discusses ways to recognize symbolism in literature.

He provides some really great examples to further aid students like you in identifying recurring objects that are likely symbolic.

3 Types of Symbolism in Literature

Although how we define symbolism has not fluctuated over time, the types of symbolism writers use, have. With that being said, the three most commonly used types of symbolism are as follows:

1. Religious Symbolism

Probably the most widely recognized type of symbolism, religious symbolism refers to objects or ideas that have sacred, spiritual, or holy significance. For instance, in Christianity, the Crucifix is literally the wooden cross upon which Jesus Christ lost his life, but spiritually it represents God’s sacrifice for the salvation of humanity.

In Buddhism, a Lotus on its surface is a beautiful flower, while symbolically the stages of the flower’s budding represent Buddha’s awakening and a Buddhist’s spiritual growth.

Religious symbols have been used by writers throughout the ages to allude to the conflicts, settings, etc. that characters endure in the plot of a story.

For example, in William Golding’s “The Lord of the Flies,” the story’s setting, a utopian island with temptation at every turn, religiously symbolizes the Garden of Eden. Much like the boys on the island who are unable to regulate their desires without social order, the Garden of Eden is absent of authority which leads its occupants to their own devices.

2. Romantic Symbolism

Romantic symbolism refers to those objects correlated to expressions of love. Love has been a topic for many novels and poems. Romantic symbols are those objects, words, colors, etc. that so emblematically express and signify love.

In Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130” for instance, the speaker compares his mistress’s cheeks to the color of a rose and her scent to the fragrance of a rose. Red roses are commonly accepted as a symbol of love; through the speaker’s comparison of his mistress to the rose, the reader understands, that although it’s not implicitly stated, the rose represents his love for her. Ergo, romantic symbolism.

3. Emotional Symbolism

Good writers use figurative language to hint at the emotions and feelings characters experience rather than coming right out and saying it. Doing so is what makes literature engaging and entertaining.

Emotional symbols represent particular sentiments. Like when someone raises a clenched fist it represents political solidarity as in the Black Lives Matter Movement. The fist is just a fist, but depending on the circumstances in which it’s raised, it may carry this much deeper meaning.

The Effect of Symbolism in Literature

Rarely are fictitious stories written purely for the reader’s enjoyment. Like your literature teachers have likely told you, good fiction writers teach a lesson or moral or recreate some significant conflict from which you, the reader, are called upon to recognize the importance.

By including literary devices like symbolism, writers create layers of meaning beyond the prosaic. Symbols demonstrate and reveal themes, lessons, morals, and significance better than just outright saying them.

For example, when you read the Modoc Indian origin story, “When Grizzlies Walked Upright,” you’re meant to learn the importance of obeying your parents. You glean a deeper meaning from the symbolism in the story than if the writer were to just say, “It’s important to obey your parents.”

Components of a Symbolism Essay and What You Should Include There

So, what’s a symbolism essay anyway? How to write a symbolism essay? One of the best ways to help you grapple with the concept of symbolism is by analyzing it in the context of the texts you read.

The fact is, symbolism has been a well-loved literary device by authors since cave paintings and hieroglyphics. The more comfortable you become with recognizing symbolism, the better you’ll understand the text and the better readers you’ll become.

The body of a symbolism essay essentially identifies and analyzes particular symbols as presented in a text. When identifying the symbol(s) you should explain the author’s purpose in using them.

As the essayist, you must ask yourself why the writer thought it was important to utilize particular symbols, what he/she hopes to convey or reveal, and what you, the reader, were meant to extract from the given symbol(s)?

It’s similar to when a writer chooses to include curse words in his/her composition. What’s the purpose? What does the particular curse word add to the meaning of the text? Would the passage have the same effect without the curse word?

Just as you may wonder about the author’s choice to include curse words, which I dive into here , his/her purpose in selecting particular symbols to further engage you is significant.

Analyzing symbolism is a process. The first step in that process is identifying a symbol in the literature.

After you’ve read a passage, think about whether an overarching subject stuck out to you. If so, is it repeated? Could it contain a deeper meaning?

If there’s an object that stands out to you, consider whether the object has other accepted meanings. If not, could you attach a logical and reasonable meaning to the object? If so, you’ve successfully identified symbolism in the text.

In this awesome overview on symbolism, Shaelin of “Shaelin Writes” discusses how you can arrive at the symbolic meaning of significant and recurring objects, colors, words, etc.

Next, it’s important to consider the effect or function of the symbol? What is the writer trying to convey? What is the writer hoping to show you instead of outright telling you?

“Word Ink” bloggers Gannon Daniels and Vanessa Ziff Lasdon, sum up the purpose of symbolism so eloquently when they assert, “In the best literature, symbols are unexpected and unique to the character, yet utterly logical and precisely chosen by the writer to evoke multiple layers of meaning.”

Finally, marry your analysis in a well-organized paragraph where you identify the symbol in a topic sentence, explain the meaning of the symbol, and provide textual evidence of how the symbol is used in the context of the passage; make these explanations in the sentences that follow the topic sentence. Round out your paragraph with a concluding sentence that links back to the topic sentence of the same paragraph.

In some writing mediums, you may consider alternate approaches. Like when you write a narrative literature review, as I discuss here , there are a variety of formats to choose from. However, the five-paragraph structure is most suitable for a symbolism essay.

The five-paragraph essay format is generally a good way to format a symbolism essay. Introduce the text and your subject in the first paragraph, identify and analyze a different way the symbol presents itself in each body paragraph, and conclude by connecting your analyses.

Useful Resources

• Color meanings – the power and symbolism of colors
• Animal symbolism: animals and their meanings
• Examples of symbolism in literature
• Meanings of various religious symbols

Finally, in literature symbolism is a literary device, or figurative language, that calls upon the reader to extract deeper meaning from objects, concepts, words, etc.

In literature, writers use symbols to show readers something instead of outright telling them.

A symbolism essay helps readers to identify and analyze symbols for their intended meaning and function. As well as the useful resources provided herein on how to write a symbolism essay, this article provides additional support in choosing the best plagiarism checker for teachers.

How to write an essay about a symbol

in "Andrei Rublev"

After watching Tarkovsky's film "Andrei Rublev" you will write an essay about a symbol used in it.

What is a symbol?   A symbol is a physical thing that stands for an idea .   Symbols appear in literature and very often in artistic films such as "Andrei Rublev."  

Here is a paragraph about symbols from the Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics by Preminger, Warnke and Hardison, 1974:

The word "symbol" derives from the Greek verb, symballein , meaning "to put together," and the related noun, symbolon , meaning" mark," "token," or "sign," in the sense of the half-coin carried away by each of the two parties of an agreement as a pledge.   Hence, it means basically a joining or combination, and, consequently, something once so joined or combined as standing for or representing in itself, when seen alone, the entire complex.   This term in literary usage refers most specifically to a manner of representation in which what is shown (normally referring to something material) means, by virtue of association, something more or something else (normally referring to something immaterial).   Thus a literary symbol unites an image (the analogy) and an idea or conception (the subject) which that image suggest or evokes, as when, for example, the image of climbing a staircase (the difficulty involved in the effort to raise oneself) is used to suggest the idea of "raising" oneself spiritually or becoming purified (T.S. Eliot's Ash Wednesday ).

When we speak about symbols in Russian 120, we'll use the terms "the analogy" and "the subject" as the previous paragraph indicates.   The analogy is the symbol that you see in the film (the physical object) that brings to your mind a subject or idea/conception that is " more or something else " as the article states.

What makes reading literature and viewing films fun is identifying symbols and thinking of the immaterial subjects, the ideas, that they suggest to you.

Use this structure for your essay:

1.   Introduction:   Lead into your discussion.   Speak about symbols in general, or about Tarkovskyπs use of symbols in the film.   Or make a personal statement about your view of symbols.   Or ...

2.   Body of essay:   Name and develop your symbol.   Be specific about what the subject is that the symbol brings to your mind.   Develop an argument for how the symbol better helps to understand the film.

3.   Conclusion:   Evaluate the effectiveness of your symbol.   Or place it into the larger context of the universe of symbols used in the film.   Or ...

What Is Symbolism? Reviewing Examples in Literature

Have you ever wondered how to make your essay entertaining and interesting by changing only a few lines? Symbolism is a great tool to improve your paper in a sophisticated way. In this article, we will introduce you to symbolism and ways to use it in your own writing effectively. Let's go deeper with our professional essay writers .

What Is Symbolism?

Symbolism is a tool used to give objects a deeper meaning and a different quality with the use of a symbol. Symbols are deeply rooted in our speech without us noticing because they enhance our conversation, make sentences elaborate and exemplify things we talk about more vividly.

For example: A dove is a symbol of peace, a black cat signifies bad luck, and a white flag means a peace offering.

Most symbols in custom essay writing services are universal and can be understood by people from different countries and backgrounds. However, some of them are culturally specific and one should be careful in order not to offend anyone or be misunderstood.

How Symbolism Is Used in Literature

Certain objects and terms signify things which are different from their literal sense. Usually, symbolism is used in order to give deeper and more significant meaning to events, objects and characters throughout the text, unify them, and give certain connotations. Authors incorporate symbolism to express complicated concepts visually and show a thread of certain ongoing themes in their writing. Since, in most cases, symbols that are used are hidden in the text, they force the reader to engage in critical thinking. It makes the reader wonder about the metaphorical use of one or the other object as a symbol. If the theme of a book or an essay might be sensitive to certain people, symbolism also comes in handy. It can help express ideas that an author wants to address through the prism of a symbol, as opposed to talking about controversial things openly.

Another reason a writer might choose to use symbolism in his work is to create different levels of meaning in his story. This meaning is not only literal, but also deeper. It connects the reader with his story on a different, an emotional level, besides just telling the story. Readers, on the other hand, like to discover these hidden symbolic ties and meanings, because it gives them a chance to peek into the writer’s mind and get a sense of what intentions he had in creating them.

The bottom line is that symbolism lets a writer introduce his audience to a concept in an interesting poetic way that does not give away the idea right away, luring the reader into his world full of beautiful implications and complicated ties.

Read also about the literature review format - our readers find this article fascinating and useful. If you need any help, leave us a request write my paper and we'll help asap.

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Need to Break Down Symbolism in Writing?

We’ll tackle it swiftly and with expertise!

How to Analyse Symbolism Step-by-Step

Analyzing symbolism in literature can be a rewarding but complex endeavor. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

STEP 1 – Identify Potential Symbols

Begin by identifying objects, characters, settings, or events within the text that seem to carry deeper meaning beyond their literal interpretation. Look for recurring motifs, imagery, or patterns that are potentially symbolic to you.

STEP 2 – Consider Context

Examine the context surrounding the potential symbols. Consider the historical, cultural, and literary context in which the work was written and the author's background and intentions. Understanding the context can provide valuable insights into the symbolic significance of certain elements.

STEP 3 – Analyze Patterns and Associations

Look for patterns or associations between the potential symbols and other elements within the text. Consider how the symbols interact with characters, themes, and plot developments. Pay attention to any recurring themes or motifs to which the symbols may connect.

STEP 4 – Examine Character Perspectives

Consider how different characters within the text perceive and interact with the symbols. Analyze the symbolism from various character perspectives to understand its significance better. Note any differences or contradictions in how characters interpret the symbols.

STEP 5 – Explore Themes and Motifs

Reflect on the broader themes and themes of the text and consider how the symbols contribute to their development. Analyze how the symbols reinforce or challenge key themes, motifs, or messages the author conveys. Look for thematic connections between the symbols and the larger narrative structure.

STEP 6 – Research Symbolic Interpretations

Research to explore potential symbolic interpretations of the elements you've identified. Consult literary analyses, critical essays, and scholarly interpretations to gain additional perspectives on the symbolism within the text. Consider how different scholars and critics have interpreted the symbols and evaluate the validity of their arguments.

STEP 7 – Draw Conclusions and Make Connections

Synthesize your findings and conclude the symbolic significance of the elements you've analyzed. Consider how the symbols contribute to the overall meaning and interpretation of the text. Make connections between the symbols and the broader thematic concerns of the work, and articulate your insights coherently and persuasively.

STEP 8 – Support Your Analysis with Evidence

Provide evidence from the text to support your analysis of the symbolism. Quote relevant passages, descriptions, or dialogue that illustrate the symbolic significance of the elements you're discussing. Analyze the language, imagery, and narrative techniques employed by the author to convey the symbolic meaning of the elements.

STEP 9 – Consider Alternative Interpretations

Acknowledge and consider alternative interpretations of the symbolism within the text. Be open to different perspectives and interpretations, even if they diverge from your own. Engage with counterarguments and alternative readings to deepen your understanding of the symbolic complexity of the text.

STEP 10 – Reflect and Revise

Reflect on your analysis and consider how your interpretation of the symbolism enhances your understanding of the text. Revise your analysis as needed to clarify your arguments and refine your insights. Continuously revisit and reassess your analysis to uncover new layers of meaning and deepen your appreciation of the text's symbolic richness.

Essay Sample on Symbolism

Our sample essay sheds light on the historical and cultural context of the Symbolism, offering insights that enrich your appreciation and critical analysis of the text.

Major Representators of Symbolism in Literature

Here are some major representatives of symbolism in literature:

• Edgar Allan Poe

Known for his Gothic tales and poems, Poe often employed symbols to evoke themes of death, madness, and the macabre. Examples include the raven in "The Raven" as a symbol of grief and the pendulum in "The Pit and the Pendulum" as a symbol of impending doom.

• William Faulkner

Faulkner's works are rich in symbolism, particularly in his exploration of the American South and its complex social dynamics. In novels such as "The Sound and the Fury" and "As I Lay Dying," he uses symbols such as the dilapidated plantation house and the coffin to convey deeper themes of decay, loss, and the passage of time.

• Herman Melville

In "Moby-Dick," Melville employs symbols such as the white whale, the sea, and the ship to explore themes of obsession, destiny, and the human condition. These symbols serve as potent metaphors for the complexities of life and the pursuit of the unknown.

• James Joyce

Joyce's modernist masterpiece "Ulysses" is replete with symbols that reflect its characters' inner thoughts and experiences. The recurring motifs of water, mirrors, and music illuminate the themes of identity, memory, and the passage of time.

• Franz Kafka

Kafka's works, such as "The Metamorphosis" and "The Trial," are characterized by their surreal and symbolic nature, with symbols often representing themes of alienation, bureaucracy, and existential dread. The transformation of Gregor Samsa into a giant insect in "The Metamorphosis," for instance, is a powerful symbol of alienation and societal oppression.

• Nathaniel Hawthorne

Hawthorne's works, such as "The Scarlet Letter" and "Young Goodman Brown," are known for exploring Puritanical themes and symbolism to convey moral and psychological depth. The scarlet letter "A" in "The Scarlet Letter" is a potent symbol of sin, guilt, and redemption. At the same time, the forest in "Young Goodman Brown" represents the dark and mysterious forces of temptation and evil.

• Gabriel García Márquez

García Márquez, a pioneer of magical realism, often employs symbols and allegory to explore themes of love, power, and the supernatural. In "One Hundred Years of Solitude," the Buendía family's house symbolizes the cyclical nature of history and the passage of time. The yellow butterflies symbolize the fleeting beauty and fragility of life.

Types of Symbolism in Literature

There are many different literary devices that help writers to use symbolism in their texts:

Metaphor is a type of figurative language that shows characteristics of a subject through comparison with something else, their likeness or contrast between them. A great example of a metaphor can be found at the opening words of “As You Like It”, a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare:

“All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances ...”

Here, he compares human life to a theatre stage. Same as anything can happen in life, a stage can have all kinds of different plays portrayed. The play will also be over sooner or later, the same as life. By making this simple comparison, he explains the complicated and difficult laws of nature, such as human mortality. The last phrase refers to people’s ties and their meaning in each other’s lives as “exits” and “entrances”.

It is a figure of speech used when one thing gets assigned some qualities of the other and is compared to it. The two usually are compared to one another with the use of the word “as” or “like”. It might sound similar to a metaphor, but the latter gives only a slight implication that something is like something else, whereas a simile directly states it. A great example of a simile can be found in “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov:

“Elderly American ladies leaning on their canes listed towards me like towers of Pisa.”

Here Nabokov says that ladies’ canes remind him directly of the tower of Pisa — a building in Pisa, Italy, that is tilted to the side. This beautiful simile showcases artist’s elaborate way of expressing his thoughts, how educated and developed he is, but most importantly, gives the reader another visual of how these canes made him feel and how they might look like.

Another literary device that helps to use symbolism is an allegory. It is also similar to a metaphor, but expresses the meaning of the object, its significance, rather than an external characteristic of likeness. Through the association that allegory creates with the characters in writing, the reader gets a sense of how a situation or a problem at stake fits in the history of the world, art history, or a certain culture.

A good example of allegory in literature is “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding. There he compares society around him to a group of children who are stuck on a deserted island due to a plane crash, and are trying to survive there. The island in the book represents the world itself, the conch is a symbol of law and order, the fire represents destruction. Each child, with his role and character, represents a certain societal imperfection, depicting people’s flaws in the institutions of religion, politics, morality, and many others.

An archetype is another literary device used to represent a human behavioral pattern that is usually universal throughout the world and can be applied and understood in many cultures. The archetype can also be a place in space and time, a certain theme that is shared collectively by citizens of the world. Many archetypes came into literature from folk art and fairy tales.

One of the most common and famous archetypes is the hero. Some of the characteristics defining a hero include mysterious circumstances of their birth, struggle and proving everyone who lost faith in them wrong, tragic events throughout their lives, and complicated and dangerous adventures. A great example of an archetype is Harry Potter, the main character of the series by J.K. Rowling. He was orphaned by the cruel dark wizard Lord Voldemort and fought him throughout the book series.

An allusion is used to imply something or refer to another mythological, religious, or historical character without directly mentioning them. The use of allusion allows an author to deliver his text using elaborate language. Different rhetorical figures force readers to incorporate their background knowledge and associate the character or problem in question with external references.

In his book “Fahrenheit 451”, Ray Bradbury uses a reference to a historical tragedy that happened in 79 A.D. near the city of Pompeii, Italy, where a volcano called Vesuvius erupted and killed the entire population, leaving the city covered in ashes.

"Mildred ran from the parlor like a native fleeing an eruption of Vesuvius."

By using this explicit allusion, Bradbury explains that Mildred was running away from something terrible, as fast as she could, because it would otherwise have killed her — just like every inhabitant of Pompeii.

Hyperbole is used in text in order to exaggerate somebody’s trait or characteristic, such as power, beauty, wealth, influence, strength, and many others. Hyperbole usually has an amusing effect used to help readers visualize the strong points of the text. An example of hyperbole would be a line from Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”:

“I had to wait in the station for ten days — an eternity.”

In order to indicate how painful, worrisome, and exhausting it was for the character to wait in the station for ten days, he compares to an eternity. It was only 10 days but felt much longer given the circumstances.

Conventional Symbols in Literature

Some of the symbols in literature are incorporated in culture so deeply that they became conventional — clear to almost anyone, because they create images and moods instantly after being mentioned.

Colors usually suggest certain emotions and characteristics with powerful meanings: red — anger, blood, love, or passion; blue — calmness and peace of mind; green — wealth, jealousy, nature; white — purity, innocence, spiritualism; purple — royalty and many others.

Seasons in most cases pertain to age: spring — youth and freshness, start of something new; winter — elderly people or even death, the zenith of one’s life; summer — the peak of development, prime of life; fall — decay, negative change, middle life, growing older.

There are many other everyday life things that involve symbolism: light — good, hope, and freedom; darkness — bad luck, tragedy, evil, the unknown; wind — change in life, speed, transition, inability to change things, destruction; rainbow — hope for the better.

Some objects and animals can also carry symbolic meaning: dove — peace; snake – evil; horse — phallic sexuality; a ring — fidelity, happiness; a broken mirror — bad luck and misfortune; a chain — unity or imprisonment.

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Ways to Use Symbolism in Writing

As we saw earlier, there are many different literary tools that can help use symbolism in your own writing. Understanding of their function and examples helps you embed them in your essay. Symbolism has numerous functions in writing.

Some of the things you can create in your essays with symbolism are adding emotion . In “Night” by Ellie Wiesel, the concept of night, its darkness and mystery is used as a symbol of negative emotions, tragedy, despair, and death suffered by incarcerated Jews in the concentration camp.

Another role it might play in your paper is connecting themes . In “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the color green is used throughout the whole book to suggest wealth and lust for money, a desire of getting rich in spite of any moral issues, a luxury lifestyle, and grandeur.

You might also be interested in reading THE GREAT GATSBY BOOK THROUGH DAISY BUCHANAN CHARACTER

Defining a character is another thing a person might achieve while using symbolism. In Harper Lee’s 'To Kill a Mockingbird' the character of Tom is suggested to be innocent, because he was hurt, but he, like a mockingbird, is harmless.

"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but . . . sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

The best way to include symbols in your essay is to do so once you are done writing and can look for places where it can be incorporated best out of the whole body of text. By no means should symbolism be your main focus of writing. Instead, you should focus on the strong points of the story and its characters. Symbolism is only a beautification of a piece that is already strong. It only helps you to enhance the story, make it alive and vivid, and showcase its complexity to the reader.

It is not extremely difficult to use symbolism in your own writing. Metaphor, allegory, hyperbole, allusion, archetype, and all the other literary devices discussed in this article are great aids to make your essay a beautiful piece of literature. A simple comparison of one thing to another can enhance the text tremendously, show off your semantic skills, and make the text beautiful overall, like a flower. See what I did there? Not that hard, I presume.

We also recommend that you read the article on how to write an essay introduction .

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What Is the Symbolism in Literature?

How do you analyze symbolism in literature, what is imagery and symbolism in literature.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Symbolism in the Great Gatsby

This essay will analyze the use of symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” It will explore how symbols such as the green light, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, and the Valley of Ashes contribute to the novel’s themes of the American Dream, societal decay, and the illusion of love and wealth. The piece will discuss how Fitzgerald uses these symbols to critique the excesses of the Roaring Twenties. PapersOwl showcases more free essays that are examples of Happiness.

How it works

Symbolism – it’s a strange thing, seeing a deeper meaning in an inanimate object, or seeing a deeper meaning of something that happens in a story.  It is an interesting, yet creative way to get a reader thinking, and engaged. Sometimes, symbolism can go unnoticed, but typically it really stands out, and leaves the reader thinking something like, “Wow, that eagle reappears every time he talks about freedom.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of The Great Gatsby, uses symbolism to show how random objects throughout the story symbolize the reconstruction of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan’s relation.

• 1 Green Light Symbol in the Great Gatsby
• 2 What Does Gatsby’s House Symbolize?
• 3 What Do the Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg Symbolize
• 4 What Does the Car Accident Symbolize

Green Light Symbol in the Great Gatsby

There is a green light placed at the end of Daisy’s dock, and that green light is used to symbolize Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for the future, to have Daisy back. Near the end of chapter one, Nick Carraway, the narrator, sees Gatsby at the end of his dock, reaching towards the green light that is at the end of Daisy’s dock, across the bay separating the East Egg and West Egg. This important part was described by F. Scott Fitzgerald as, “he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward—and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock” (24). This quote from the book introduces the green light and suggests it as an important figure in the story, and presents Gatsby, as this is the first time he is in the story in real time, and not just spoken about by other characters. Gatsby is reaching towards the light, and obviously he is not attempting to grab ahold of the light. The green light symbolizes Daisy and Gatsby’s dream for the future,  and he is reaching towards his dream to come true and earn Daisy back from Tom Buchanan, to himself. He dreams of having her back into his life, after no contact between the two. When Nick is watching Gatsby, Gatsby vanishes into the darkness. “When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness” (Fitzgerald 24-25). Gatsby vanishing into the darkness is foreshadowing that Gatsby will soon leave, which reflects on Daisy vanishing away from Gatsby five years prior after he had gone to war, to be with Tom. Once, Gatsby’s dream comes true and he is finally happy, his dream will fall and vanish, along with himself soon after.

What Does Gatsby’s House Symbolize?

Jay Gatsby owns an extremely expensive mansion, and it may just look like it is where he lives, but looking closer, the house may be an important symbol that ties into the time where the book takes place, and also ties into the green light symbol. “‘It was a strange coincidence,’ I said. ‘But it wasn’t a coincidence at all.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay’” (Fitzgerald 84-85). What has been revealed is that Gatsby had purchased his mansion not because he simply liked it, but because he wanted to be as close to Daisy as he can be, and that is right across the bay. This also suggests that all of the parties that Gatsby throws are happening in hopes of that one day Daisy will arrive to one of the parties, and Gatsby will get the chance to finally see her again. Another thing is, that Gatsby’s lives in his house alone, and being inside of a house that huge must be very lonely. Gatsby’s house being empty most of the time can also symbolize himself being empty and lonely, because he no longer has Daisy and the thought of never having her back makes him feel sad and empty. The fact that Gatsby’s house is empty most of the time can also symbolize the 1920’s boom, or The Roaring Twenties, because Gatsby deals with living in a mansion all by himself by throwing an open invite party every Saturday night, that hundreds of people attend to. “The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun and now the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music and the opera of voices pitches a key higher. Laughter is easier, minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a cheerful word” (Fitzgerald 44). This occurs at the start of chapter three, and it is the first party of Gatsby’s that Nick attends. The text evaluates on Gatsby being lonely, and that is the reason why he throws so many parties. He is not throwing parties to satisfy other people, because F. Scott Fitzgerald explains in the text that Gatsby doesn’t even know who most of the people are who come to his parties.

What Do the Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg Symbolize

In the Valley of Ashes, there is a billboard with a pair of eyes painted on it. The pair of eyes are named the “Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg.” Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg on the billboard symbolize that when there are people living poor, rich people look down on them, and the poor people are aware of it. Nick first sees the Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg in chapter two, while driving through the Valley of Ashes. “But above the grey land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic—their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose” (Fitzgerald 26). The quote expresses the billboard as powerful, and just how aggressive the eyes on the billboard must seem to the people who live in The Valley of Ashes. Fitzgerald also uses imagery to describe how the billboard,  or the eyes, overlook The Valley of Ashes.

After the death of his wife, George Wilson enters a state of shock and grief. Before it happened, he knew that something was up with Myrtle, and George refers to the billboard as “God.” “Wilson’s glazed eyes turned out to the ashheaps, where small grey clouds took on fantastic shape and scurried here and there in the faint dawn wind. ‘I spoke to her,’ he muttered, after a long silence. ‘I told her she might fool me but she couldn’t fool God. I took her to the window—’ With an effort he got up and walked to the rear window and leaned with his face pressed against it, ‘—and I said ‘God knows what you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You may fool me but you can’t fool God!’ ‘ Standing behind him Michaelis saw with a shock that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg which had just emerged pale and enormous from the dissolving night. ‘God sees everything,’ repeated Wilson” (Fitzgerald 170). This happens near the start of chapter eight, and George is saying how the Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg to him, symbolize God, and how he believes God sees everything, meaning God knew what Myrtle was doing with other men, if George himself did not know.

What Does the Car Accident Symbolize

One of the scariest things that can happen to somebody, is a car crash. But at the same time, one single car crash can symbolize an entire marriage crashing apart. From Jordan Baker, Nick learns about the first known situation where Tom is caught with another woman, while being married to Daisy. After their honeymoon, Tom was involved in a car accident and there was a maid from a hotel in the car with him. The news spread in newspapers, and Daisy knew about it. Daisy still kept the marriage, though. “A week after I left Santa Barbara Tom ran into a wagon on the Ventura road one night and ripped a front wheel off his car. The girl who was with him got into the papers too because her arm was broken—she was one of the chambermaids in the Santa Barbara Hotel” (Fitzgerald 83). These are the words of Jordan Baker, in chapter four of the book. Jordan narrates this to Nick, and it can suggest that Daisy is into Tom because of his wealth. For some reason even after caught cheating, Daisy decides to still be with Tom. The symbolism here is that the second the car suffered the damage, the marriage between Tom and Daisy suffered damage as well, as Daisy now knows that Tom is seeing other women. This is not the only car accident that symbolizes the fallout of a relationship. After Gatsby and Daisy meet again and fall in love, she goes to one of his parties.

After the party, Daisy is driving Gatsby’s Rolls Royce, with him next to her. While driving through The Valley of Ashes, Daisy strikes Myrtle Wilson, and kills her. Ironically, Myrtle is Tom’s mistress. Towards the end of chapter seven, F. Scott Fitzgerald describes Nick hearing about the accident in the newspaper as, “The ‘death car’ as the newspapers called it, didn’t stop; it came out of the gathering darkness, wavered tragically for a moment and then disappeared around the next bend. Michaelis wasn’t even sure of its color—he told the first policeman that it was light green” (147). Myrtle had jumped into the street, and Daisy hit her with Gatsby’s car. The car obviously had suffered damage, and that damage is also in Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship. After this happens, Gatsby starts to get a little annoyed that Daisy will not admit to Tom that she never loved him, and also supports the fact that Daisy loves Tom for his old money. F. Scott Fitzgerald has used a genius way of using cars in the story to represent the fall of Daisy and Tom’s relationship, as well as Daisy and Gatsby’s new relationship. 

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, contains many forms of symbolism to represent the events that happen in the book, and most importantly, to represent Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan’s relationship. The green light that Gatsby is reaching towards in the first chapter of the book is symbolizing him reaching towards his hopes and dreams, for Daisy. Jay Gatsby’s house, a gigantic mansion, always empty, is used for a symbol Gatsby being empty and lonely because he cannot find his happiness of having Daisy back, and it also can represent the Roaring Twenties, by having his parties. A billboard overlooking The Valley of Ashes can be symbolized as the rich overlooking and being better than the poor, and to some people, the Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg can be a symbol of God. Fitzgerald has used two car crashes in the book to symbolize two different relationships starting to become damaged, and how the person driving the car is causing the damage to the car and to the relationship. While reading The Great Gatsby, the many forms of symbolism are noticed, but if you dig even deeper, are there objects and things used to symbolize other themes of the story, too? 

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Symbolism

Essays on Symbolism

Symbolism essay topics and outline examples, essay title 1: the power of symbolism in literature.

Thesis Statement: Symbolism serves as a powerful literary device, allowing authors to convey deeper meanings, emotions, and themes in their works, enriching the reader's experience and interpretation.

• Introduction
• Defining Symbolism in Literature
• Types of Literary Symbols
• The Function of Symbols in Storytelling
• Analysis of Symbolism in Select Literary Works

Essay Title 2: Religious Symbolism in Art and Culture

Thesis Statement: Religious symbolism has played a profound role in art and culture, reflecting spiritual beliefs, values, and cultural narratives across different societies and time periods.

• Exploring Religious Symbols and Their Significance
• Examples of Religious Symbolism in Art and Architecture
• The Influence of Religious Symbols on Cultural Practices
• Interpreting the Cross-Cultural Impact of Religious Symbolism

Essay Title 3: Symbolism in Film: Visual Storytelling Beyond Words

Thesis Statement: Symbolism in film allows directors to convey complex ideas, emotions, and themes through visual and auditory cues, adding depth to cinematic narratives and enhancing viewer engagement.

• The Role of Visual and Auditory Symbols in Film
• Symbolism in Iconic Movie Scenes
• The Connection Between Film Symbolism and Viewer Interpretation
• Exploring Symbolism in a Range of Film Genres

Symbolic Reasoning in Minnie Wright by Susan

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Symbolism in a Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen

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Analysis of Symbolism in "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas"

Symbolism in heart of darkness by joseph conrad, symbolism in the hound of the baskerville by arthur conan, the symbolism of light and darkness as depicted in antigone, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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Symbolism in "Through The Tunnel" by Doris Lessing

The symbolism of light and darkness in romeo and juliet, application of symbolism in the petty demon by fyodor sologub, the use of symbolism and irony in the cask of amontillado by edgar allan poe, the symbolism of fire and ice in jane eyre by charlotte bronte, symbolism in speak by laurie halse anderson, symbolism in john steinbeck’s the pearl, symbolism of onion in buried onions by gary soto, analysis of symbolism in the story of an hour by kate chopin, symbolism in the lord of the files, themes and symbolism in of mice and men, symbolism in this boy’s life, symbolism in "the catcher in the rye" by j.d. salinger, an analysis of symbolism in uncle vanya, symbolism in dylan thomas's works, symbolism in the painted door, analytical on the symbolism in the "yellow wallpaper", the significance of the symbolism in "sir gawain and the green knight", symbolism of the closet in the novel speak by laurie halse anderson, the coyote symbol in "tortilla curtain".

Symbolism refers to a literary technique used to imbue objects, actions, or characters with deeper, abstract meanings that extend beyond their literal representation. It is a creative device employed by writers to convey complex ideas, emotions, or themes in a condensed and evocative manner. Through the use of symbols, writers invite readers to delve into the layers of meaning within a narrative or poem, encouraging them to interpret and uncover hidden messages.

The literary device of symbolism has its origins in ancient civilizations, where symbols were used to represent abstract concepts or ideas. Symbolism can be traced back to ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece, where symbols were employed in religious rituals, mythologies, and artistic expressions. In Western literature, the concept of symbolism gained prominence during the Romantic era in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Romantic poets and writers, such as William Blake and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, utilized symbols to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotional responses in their works. However, the formalization and recognition of symbolism as a distinct literary device occurred in the late 19th century with the emergence of the Symbolist movement in France. Symbolist poets, including Charles Baudelaire and Stéphane Mallarmé, embraced symbolism as a means to explore the realm of the subconscious, spirituality, and the metaphysical. They sought to convey complex ideas and emotions through carefully crafted symbols and metaphors.

William Shakespeare: The celebrated playwright often incorporated symbolism in his works. For example, in his tragedy "Macbeth," the symbol of blood represents guilt and the characters' moral decay. Nathaniel Hawthorne: Known for his novel "The Scarlet Letter," Hawthorne used symbolism extensively. The scarlet letter itself becomes a symbol of shame and societal judgment. F. Scott Fitzgerald: In his classic novel "The Great Gatsby," Fitzgerald skillfully employs symbols such as the green light, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and the Valley of Ashes to convey themes of wealth, corruption, and the American Dream. J.R.R. Tolkien: The author of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy used symbols to enrich his fantastical world. The One Ring is a potent symbol of power and corruption, while the White Tree of Gondor represents hope and renewal. Emily Dickinson: The renowned poet often employed symbolism in her works, using objects and natural elements to explore profound themes of love, death, and nature.

The Rose: Often associated with love and beauty, the rose symbolizes passion, desire, and romance. It can also represent fragility or the balance between pleasure and pain. The Dove: A universal symbol of peace and purity, the dove is frequently used to represent harmony, innocence, and hope. It can appear in works dealing with themes of reconciliation and the search for tranquility. The Cross: As a religious symbol, the cross signifies sacrifice, redemption, and faith. It often appears in works with themes of spirituality, salvation, or moral struggles. The Journey: Symbolizing transformation and personal growth, the journey represents the protagonist's quest for self-discovery, knowledge, or enlightenment. It can be a physical or metaphorical journey. The Mirror: Reflecting both the literal and metaphorical sense, the mirror represents self-reflection, self-awareness, and truth. It can delve into themes of identity, perception, and the search for inner meaning. The Raven: Often associated with darkness and mystery, the raven symbolizes death, loss, and the haunting presence of the unknown. It can evoke a sense of foreboding or symbolize the protagonist's descent into madness.

Representation: Symbolism involves the use of objects, characters, or elements to represent abstract ideas, concepts, or themes. By imbuing these symbols with meaning, writers can add layers of depth to their storytelling. Multiple Interpretations: Symbols are open to interpretation, allowing readers to derive their own meanings from them. They can evoke different emotions and resonate with readers in unique ways, making literature more subjective and thought-provoking. Enhancing Themes: Symbolism helps writers convey complex themes and ideas that may be difficult to express directly. Symbols serve as vehicles for exploring profound concepts such as love, death, spirituality, or societal issues, enabling a deeper understanding of the text. Engaging Imagery: Symbols often create vivid and memorable imagery in readers' minds. By using concrete and tangible objects to represent abstract concepts, writers can make their works more visually and emotionally captivating. Unifying Elements: Symbols can unify a literary work by recurring throughout the narrative, connecting various elements and creating cohesion. They provide a thread that ties different parts of the story together, reinforcing the central themes or motifs.

Depth and Complexity: Symbols add depth and complexity to a story, allowing authors to convey abstract or complex ideas that may be difficult to express directly. Symbols provide a means to explore emotions, themes, and concepts in a more nuanced and evocative way. Communication and Universality: Symbols have the power to transcend language and cultural barriers. They can communicate ideas and emotions universally, allowing readers from different backgrounds to connect and interpret the text on a deeper level. Multiple Layers of Meaning: Symbols offer multiple layers of meaning, inviting readers to engage in a deeper exploration of the text. They can represent different ideas or evoke various emotions, allowing for rich interpretation and analysis. Engagement and Interpretation: Symbols engage readers by requiring active interpretation. They invite readers to analyze, speculate, and search for hidden meanings, fostering a deeper engagement with the text. Evoking Imagery and Emotion: Symbols have the ability to create vivid imagery and evoke strong emotions. They can enhance the sensory experience of reading by appealing to the reader's senses and emotions. Memorable and Lasting Impact: Symbols can leave a lasting impact on readers. They can resonate with readers long after they finish the book, sparking contemplation and discussion.

1. Jones, E. (1918). The theory of symbolism. British Journal of Psychology, 9(2), 181. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/2b14884988f835d9d43c8d43c338ae64/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1818401) 2. Chadwick, C. (2017). Symbolism. Routledge. (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315270418/symbolism-charles-chadwick) 3. Cohen, A. (1979). Political symbolism. Annual Review of Anthropology, 8(1), 87-113. (https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.an.08.100179.000511?journalCode=anthro) 4. Deal, T. E. (1985). The symbolism of effective schools. The Elementary School Journal, 85(5), 601-620. (https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/461424?journalCode=esj) 5. Sapir, E. (1929). A study in phonetic symbolism. Journal of experimental psychology, 12(3), 225. (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1929-04177-001) 6. Walzer, M. (1967). On the role of symbolism in political thought. Political Science Quarterly, 82(2), 191-204. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/2147214) 7. Yeats, W. B., & Yeats, W. B. (1961). The Symbolism of Poetry. Essays and Introductions, 153-164. (https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-349-00618-2_10) 8. Ladner, G. B. (1979). Medieval and modern understanding of symbolism: a comparison. Speculum, 54(2), 223-256. (https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.2307/2854972) 9. Evarts, A. B. (1919). Color symbolism. Psychoanalytic Review, 6(2), 124-157. (https://pep-web.org/browse/document/psar.006.0124a) 10. Plog, S. (2003). Exploring the ubiquitous through the unusual: color symbolism in Pueblo black-on-white pottery. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-antiquity/article/abs/exploring-the-ubiquitous-through-the-unusual-color-symbolism-in-pueblo-blackonwhite-pottery/6CC6A0F2C99947B0278AAA41CEF413D American Antiquity, 68(4), 665-695.

Relevant topics

• Marxist Criticism
• Literary Criticism
• Frankenstein
• A Rose For Emily
• Of Mice and Men
• Brave New World
• The Great Gatsby
• The Crucible

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