Symbolism

Definition

Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas, concepts, or emotions beyond their literal meaning. This literary device enriches narratives by allowing deeper layers of meaning and emotional resonance, connecting readers to larger themes and cultural contexts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Native American oral traditions, symbols are often tied to nature and spiritual beliefs, representing elements like animals and natural phenomena as embodiments of cultural values and teachings.
2. Creation myths frequently utilize symbolism to convey human experiences and existential questions, using characters and events to symbolize larger truths about existence, morality, and the universe.
3. Early American short fiction employs symbolism to reflect societal issues or personal struggles, allowing writers to communicate complex emotions and critiques of contemporary life subtly.
4. Ralph Waldo Emerson's work is rich with symbolic meaning, often using nature as a symbol for self-reliance and individualism, emphasizing the connection between the natural world and human thought.
5. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s stories are layered with symbolism, where characters, settings, and objects often represent moral complexities and psychological struggles, revealing the darker sides of human nature.

Review Questions

• How does symbolism enhance the storytelling techniques found in Native American oral traditions?
  • Symbolism in Native American oral traditions enhances storytelling by embedding cultural significance into the narratives. Symbols such as animals or natural elements embody moral lessons, spiritual beliefs, or historical events. This use of symbolism allows listeners to connect emotionally with the stories while also passing down essential cultural values and teachings across generations.
• In what ways do creation myths utilize symbolism to convey deeper meanings about humanity's place in the universe?
  • Creation myths often use symbolism to express fundamental truths about humanity’s existence and relationship with the cosmos. Characters may symbolize various aspects of life such as creation, destruction, or balance, while events can represent cycles of nature or moral lessons. This symbolic representation allows these myths to transcend mere storytelling, inviting reflection on existential questions that resonate across cultures.
• Evaluate the role of symbolism in both Whitman’s and Dickinson’s poetry, discussing how it reflects their differing views on individualism and nature.
  • Symbolism plays a crucial role in both Whitman's and Dickinson's poetry, although they use it differently to express their views on individualism and nature. Whitman often employs grand symbols such as the 'grass' to signify democracy and interconnectedness among people, reflecting his belief in the collective human experience. In contrast, Dickinson uses more intimate symbols like 'the bird' or 'the heart' to explore personal isolation and introspection. This contrast illustrates how each poet's approach to symbolism mirrors their distinct perspectives on individuality within the natural world.

Related terms

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one is the other, helping to illustrate complex ideas.

Allegory:

A narrative in which characters and events symbolize deeper moral or political meanings, often conveying complex messages through symbolic figures and actions.

Imagery:

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, often used alongside symbolism to evoke emotional responses and create vivid mental pictures.