6.2 Using Symbolism Effectively
4 min read•august 16, 2024
adds depth to stories, allowing writers to convey complex ideas without spelling them out. It's a powerful tool that can evoke emotions, foreshadow events, and reveal character motivations. But it's easy to overdo it.
Effective symbolism feels natural, not forced. Choose symbols that fit your story's themes and introduce them subtly. Let readers interpret their meaning, trusting them to connect the dots. Avoid clichés and focus on a few key elements that truly enhance your narrative.
Symbolism in Storytelling
Purpose and Impact
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Top images from around the web for Purpose and Impact
Why story will always beat statistics — Paul Taylor – Duncan Stephen View original
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Storytelling Through Experience Design – Sherwin Torres – Medium View original
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Why story will always beat statistics — Paul Taylor – Duncan Stephen View original
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Storytelling Through Experience Design – Sherwin Torres – Medium View original
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- Symbolism is a literary device where an object, person, or event represents an abstract idea or concept beyond its literal meaning
- Allows writers to convey deeper themes, emotions, or messages without explicitly stating them
- Symbols can be universal (dove for peace), contextual (specific to the story's setting or time period), or personal (holding significance to individual characters)
- Effective symbolism adds depth and richness to a narrative by creating multiple layers of meaning, engaging readers' imaginations, and encouraging interpretation
- Evokes emotional responses, foreshadows events, or reveals character traits and motivations
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Overuse or heavy-handedness with symbolism can lead to confusion, clichés, or a sense of contrivance, detracting from the story's impact
- Avoid using too many symbols, which can overwhelm readers and dilute their significance
- Ensure symbols are not too obscure or disconnected from the story's themes and characters
- Refrain from explicitly explaining symbols' meanings through exposition or dialogue, trusting readers to interpret them
Analyzing Symbolic Elements
Symbols in "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
- The black box symbolizes the dangers of unquestioned traditions and the potential for violence lurking beneath the surface of seemingly civilized communities
- The lottery itself represents the blind adherence to custom and the sacrificing of individual autonomy for the sake of tradition
- The stones used in the lottery symbolize the brutality and primitiveness of the ritual, contrasting with the modern setting
Symbols in "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The wallpaper serves as a symbol of the protagonist's oppression, mental deterioration, and the societal constraints placed on women in the 19th century
- The pattern on the wallpaper represents the protagonist's struggle to break free from the confines of her prescribed roles as a wife and mother
- The color yellow symbolizes sickness, decay, and madness, reflecting the protagonist's declining mental state
Symbols in Other Notable Short Stories
- In "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, the catacombs and the act of walling up Fortunato symbolize the depths of Montresor's hatred and the finality of his revenge
- The river in "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" by Gabriel García Márquez symbolizes transformation, renewal, and the power of imagination to unite a community
- In "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway, the white elephants symbolize the couple's unspoken problem (presumably an unwanted pregnancy) and the difficulty of their decision
Incorporating Symbols in Narratives
Choosing and Introducing Symbols
- Choose symbols that resonate with your story's themes, characters, or setting, ensuring they feel organic and purposeful rather than forced or arbitrary
- Introduce symbols subtly and gradually, allowing readers to discover their significance through the characters' actions, thoughts, or dialogue
- Use sensory details to describe symbolic objects or events, making them memorable and vivid in readers' minds
- Consider how symbols evolve or take on new meanings as the story progresses, reflecting or plot twists
Encouraging Reader Interpretation
- Be open to readers' interpretations of symbols, as their personal experiences and perspectives can enrich the story's impact
- Trust readers to interpret symbols on their own, rather than explicitly explaining their meaning through exposition or heavy-handed dialogue
- Allow for ambiguity and multiple interpretations, as this can make the story more engaging and thought-provoking
Symbolism vs Theme
Supporting the Central Theme
- Symbols should support and reinforce the story's central , not compete with or overshadow it
- Use symbols sparingly and strategically, focusing on a few key elements that carry the most thematic weight
- Ensure that symbols are consistent with characters' motivations and actions, as well as the story's overall tone and style
Avoiding Clichés and Overused Symbols
- Avoid clichéd or overused symbols that may feel trite or uninspired, such as a red rose for love or a stormy night for turmoil
- Strive for originality and freshness in your choice of symbols, drawing from the unique aspects of your story's world and characters
- If using common symbols, try to subvert expectations or present them in a new light to maintain reader interest
Key Terms to Review (19)
Allegory: An allegory is a narrative technique in which characters, events, and details symbolize deeper moral, social, or political meanings. This literary device often conveys complex themes and messages through figurative storytelling, making it easier for readers to grasp underlying ideas while engaging with the narrative on multiple levels.
Atmosphere: Atmosphere refers to the emotional environment or feeling that a narrative creates for the reader. It is shaped by various elements such as setting, symbolism, and tone, which work together to evoke specific feelings and moods in the audience, enhancing their overall experience of the story.
Character development: Character development is the process of creating a believable and complex character in a narrative, showcasing their growth, motivations, and changes over time. This process is essential for engaging readers and driving the story forward, as well as making the characters relatable and realistic.
Cultural symbolism: Cultural symbolism refers to the use of symbols, images, and motifs that hold specific meanings within a particular culture or society. These symbols can represent values, beliefs, and traditions, allowing writers to convey deeper meanings and connect with readers on a cultural level.
Diction: Diction refers to the choice of words and phrases in writing, which can greatly influence the tone, style, and clarity of a narrative. The way a writer chooses their words impacts how readers interpret themes, characters, and emotions, making it essential for effective storytelling. Diction can range from formal to informal, simple to complex, and plays a crucial role in establishing voice and creating imagery through symbolism and motifs.
F. Scott Fitzgerald: F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American novelist and short story writer, widely regarded as one of the greatest American authors of the 20th century. His works often explore themes of wealth, class, and the American Dream, employing rich symbolism to convey deeper meanings and critiques of society, particularly during the Jazz Age.
Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a literary device that hints at future events in a story, creating anticipation and tension for the reader. It allows authors to build suspense and prepares the audience for potential outcomes, making the narrative more engaging and cohesive.
Formalism: Formalism is a critical approach that emphasizes the structure, style, and form of a literary work over its content or context. It focuses on the technical elements such as symbolism, imagery, and narrative techniques, highlighting how these components work together to create meaning within the text. By examining these features, formalism seeks to understand how they contribute to the overall impact and experience of the narrative.
Imagery: Imagery is the use of vivid and descriptive language to create mental pictures and sensory experiences for the reader. It plays a crucial role in narrative writing by enhancing the reader's understanding and emotional connection to the story, making scenes more relatable and impactful.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares one thing to another for rhetorical effect, suggesting they are alike in some way without using 'like' or 'as'. It enhances storytelling by creating connections between seemingly unrelated things, helping to evoke emotion and deeper understanding. Metaphors play a crucial role in creating vivid imagery and symbolism, enriching sensory details and adding layers of meaning to the narrative.
Motif: A motif is a recurring element or theme that has symbolic significance in a narrative. It helps to develop the central themes and adds depth to the story, often linking various elements together to enhance the overall meaning. Motifs can appear in various forms, such as phrases, imagery, or even actions, contributing to the tone and emotional resonance of the work.
Natural Symbolism: Natural symbolism is a literary device where nature or natural elements represent abstract ideas or concepts, creating deeper meanings within a narrative. This technique connects the physical world with emotional or thematic elements, allowing readers to engage with the story on multiple levels and enriching their understanding of the characters' experiences and the overall narrative.
Reader response theory: Reader response theory is an approach to understanding literature that emphasizes the reader's experience and interpretation of a text, rather than focusing solely on the author's intent or the text's intrinsic meaning. This theory highlights the active role of readers in constructing meaning and suggests that individual experiences, emotions, and perspectives shape how a text is understood. It underscores the importance of personal engagement with symbolism and narrative elements, making each reading experience unique.
Subtext: Subtext refers to the underlying meaning or implicit ideas that are not directly stated in a text, often conveyed through dialogue, actions, or symbols. It allows readers to infer deeper themes and emotions that lie beneath the surface of the narrative. By using subtext, writers can create richer character interactions, establish mood, introduce symbolism, and structure scenes more effectively.
Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary device where symbols are used to represent larger ideas or concepts, allowing deeper meanings to be conveyed through objects, characters, or events. This technique enriches storytelling by adding layers of meaning that resonate with readers on an emotional and intellectual level, enhancing both the narrative and thematic elements.
The conch shell: The conch shell in 'Lord of the Flies' symbolizes civilization, authority, and order among the boys stranded on the island. It serves as a powerful representation of democratic power and structured communication, as it gives the holder the right to speak during assemblies, illustrating the boys' initial attempts to maintain societal norms and cooperation.
The green light: The green light in 'The Great Gatsby' symbolizes Gatsby's unattainable dreams and hopes, representing both desire and the American Dream itself. It serves as a focal point for Gatsby's aspirations towards wealth, love, and success, while also reflecting the broader themes of longing and disillusionment in the narrative.
Theme: Theme is the central idea or underlying message of a narrative, often reflecting the author's perspective on a particular topic or issue. It is a key element that gives depth to the story and resonates with readers on a personal level, connecting characters, plot, and settings to broader human experiences. Themes can be conveyed through various narrative elements, including symbolism and figurative language, enriching the reader's understanding and interpretation of the work.
Virginia Woolf: Virginia Woolf was an influential British writer known for her modernist literary techniques and deep explorations of consciousness and identity. Her use of symbolism is particularly noteworthy, as she often employed symbols to convey complex themes and emotions, reflecting the inner lives of her characters in innovative ways.