Glossary
Animals (as symbols)
Creatures that are used to represent human traits, natural forces, or abstract concepts.
Example:
The mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird is a powerful animal (as a symbol), representing innocence and the harm caused by destroying something harmless.
Author's Purpose (in relation to symbolism)
The underlying reason an author uses symbolism, often to enhance themes, develop characters, convey messages, or deepen the overall meaning of the work.
Example:
By employing the recurring motif of the 'valley of ashes' in The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald's author's purpose (in relation to symbolism) is to critique the moral decay and social disparity hidden beneath the glittering facade of the Jazz Age.
Characters (as symbols)
Individuals in a story who embody or represent broader ideas, societal roles, or human qualities.
Example:
Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird can be seen as a character (as a symbol) of innocence and the evolving understanding of justice in a prejudiced society.
Colors (as symbols)
Specific hues used by an author to evoke particular emotions, ideas, or associations.
Example:
The pervasive use of the color (as a symbol) 'red' in The Scarlet Letter intensifies the themes of sin, passion, and public shame.
Cultural Context (of symbols)
The societal and traditional background that influences the meaning and interpretation of a symbol, as meanings can vary across different cultures.
Example:
Understanding the cultural context (of symbols) is vital when analyzing a dragon; in Western literature, it often symbolizes evil, while in some Eastern cultures, it represents power and good fortune.
Events (as symbols)
Significant occurrences or actions within a narrative that carry a deeper, representative meaning beyond their literal happening.
Example:
The annual lottery in Shirley Jackson's short story 'The Lottery' serves as a chilling event (as a symbol) for blind adherence to tradition and mob mentality.
Historical Context (of symbols)
The specific time period in which a literary work was created, which can reveal why certain symbols were chosen and what they might have represented to contemporary audiences.
Example:
To fully grasp the symbolism of the 'red scare' in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, one must consider the historical context (of symbols) of the McCarthy era, where fear and paranoia led to widespread accusations.
Multiple Layers of Meaning (of symbols)
The concept that a single symbol can represent several different ideas, emotions, or concepts simultaneously, adding complexity and richness to its interpretation.
Example:
The 'scarlet letter' in Hawthorne's novel possesses multiple layers of meaning (of symbols), initially representing shame and sin, but evolving to signify strength, identity, and even 'Able' in the community's eyes.
Objects (as symbols)
Physical items that are used to represent abstract ideas or concepts within a literary work.
Example:
In Lord of the Flies, Piggy's glasses are crucial objects (as symbols), representing intellect, civilization, and the boys' fading connection to reason.
Recurring Symbols
Symbols that appear multiple times throughout a text, often indicating their heightened importance and reinforcing their symbolic meaning.
Example:
The repeated imagery of eyes in The Great Gatsby, particularly the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, are recurring symbols that represent a watchful, perhaps judgmental, divine presence or the decay of the American Dream.
Significant Symbols
Symbols that are prominently featured, heavily described, or emotionally important to characters, often appearing in titles or at crucial plot points.
Example:
The white whale, Moby Dick, is the quintessential significant symbol in Melville's novel, embodying Captain Ahab's obsessive quest, the untamable forces of nature, and the elusive nature of truth.
Subverted Symbols
Traditional symbols whose conventional meanings are intentionally altered or reversed by the author to create irony, critique, or a new perspective.
Example:
A white dove, typically a symbol of peace, might be a subverted symbol if it appears just before a violent act, suggesting a loss of innocence or the futility of hope.
Symbol
An element within a text (like an object, character, color, or event) that goes beyond its literal meaning to express an abstract concept in a concrete way.
Example:
The green light at the end of Daisy's dock in The Great Gatsby is a potent symbol of Gatsby's unattainable dream and the elusive American Dream itself.
Symbolism
The literary device where an object, character, or event represents something else, such as an abstract idea, concept, or emotion, adding deeper layers of meaning to a text.
Example:
In The Lord of the Rings, the One Ring functions as a powerful example of symbolism, representing the corrupting nature of power and temptation.
Textual Evidence (for symbolism)
Specific quotes, descriptions, or events from the literary work that support an interpretation of a symbol's meaning and its function.
Example:
When arguing that the conch in Lord of the Flies symbolizes order, one must provide textual evidence (for symbolism) by quoting passages where it is used to call meetings or establish rules.