100 Symbolism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best symbolism topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 simple & easy symbolism essay titles, 📑 good research topics about symbolism.

  • William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 Analysis: Tone, Imagery, Symbolism, and More The tone of the Sonnet 18 is that of the romantic intimacy of a young man intrigued by a woman’s beauty.
  • Imperialism in Shooting an Elephant: Symbolism & Themes The story captures the violent reality of colonialism as the narrator unfolds the events of the actual shooting and the description of the slow and painful death of the elephant that seemed peaceful in hands […] We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
  • “Joyas Voladoras” by Brian Doyle. Summary and Symbolism Analysis The “Joyas Voladoras” essay by Brian Doyle speaks of hummingbirds and hearts, the life of whales, and the life of man.
  • Symbolism in “Get Out” Movie Overall, the silver spoon is symbolic of the wealth and power of white people over minorities. Colors in the movie are used to oppose the characters and show their attitudes towards people of color.
  • Symbolism in the “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller Death of a Salesman has a good share of symbols, which the playwright uses to communicate the themes of his great work creatively.
  • Themes and Symbolism in Things Fall Apart: Symbols & Examples of Imagery Mother of the Spirits The Mother of the spirits can be viewed as personification by the clan of Umofia and the Mother of Egwugwu.
  • Symbolism as the Main Literary Tool in “The Other Family” by Bannerji The cold and darkness outside the window reflect the mother’s inner condition: “The winter twilight had transformed the sheer sky of the day into the color of steel”.
  • Symbolism and Imagery in O Captain! My Captain! The poet employs the abundant use of imagery and symbolism in passing the message, ideas, and the subject of the poem.
  • “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” Symbolism In the context of the “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, the pentangle brings together the influence of “the five virtues, the five wounds of Christ, the five senses, the five joys of Mary the […]
  • Symbolism in “The Tin Drum” by Gunter Grass Overall, the analysis of The Tin Drum novel suggests a conclusion that the symbols of the red and white drum, Oscar’s ability to control growing, and his strange life course reflect the events of German […]
  • Young Goodman Brown Setting Analysis, Symbolism, & Characters The setting in The Young Goodman Brown influences the development of plot and character. It illustrates how Hawthorne’s setting and symbolism of the Young Goodman Brown contribute to the meaning of the entire piece.
  • Silver & Gold: Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Although the color palette presented in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is rich, the problem of differing social status is most vividly described in the novel through the use of golden and silver colors that stand […]
  • I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud Symbolism Essay The title and the first stanza of the poem highlight the first symbol in the poem. Through the personification of the clouds, the speaker is able to express the extent or impact of his loneliness.
  • Symbolism in “The White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett The story of “The White Heron” is a story of a young girl as she experiences enlightenment through her connection to nature.
  • Themes and Symbolism in ‘The Dream of the Rood’ Poem According to the author the in the short poem the Dream of the Rood, the narrations of the poem is done in a manner to represent the horror fear as well as awe in witnessing […]
  • Imagery and Symbolism in “Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin The essay concludes with the viewpoint that the use of symbolism and imagery with a natural background enhances the intensity and aptness of the scenes and core story.
  • The Symbolism of the House in “A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner The author identifies the decaying symbolism of the house in the text through the author’s constant mentions of dust, which fills the Griersons’ mansion: “faint and invisible dust dry and acrid in the nostrils”.
  • Modernism in Symbolism and Imagery as Presented in the Works of W.B. Yeats Modernism is a term that refers to a movement in art and literature that began in the late 19th century and extended through the early days of the 20th century.
  • Symbolism and Realism in Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert The character development in the story is presented through Emma’s realization of the imperfection of the world. Although Madame Bovary as a realistic novel is widely recognized, Flaubert’s quest of distortions and illusions lead to […]
  • Landscape Symbolism in Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” The author’s depiction of Ebro valley in this literary work is symbolic of a choice to have a child, and the dry, treeless land on the opposite side is representative of the life after abortion.
  • Symbolism in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Main Points of The Yellow Wallpaper The basic aim of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is to reflect the oppression of women in the 19th century.
  • Symbolism and Imagery in “Facing It” by Yusef Komunyakaa The poem portrays a vivid image of the emotional rollercoaster the author is experiencing as he visits the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.”Facing It” successfully incorporates the use symbolism and imagery throughout the structure of the poem […]
  • Symbolism and Foreshadowing in “Romeo and Juliet” The love of Juliet to Romeo at the early stages is described as the “bud love, expected to grow into a beauteous flower” when the two meet later.
  • “A Rose for Emily” by W. Faulkner: Symbolism and Themes In “A Rose for Emily,” the theme of adapting to the changing environment is developed through the character of Miss Grierson and her reluctance to the changes.
  • “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” Analysis of Symbolism & Meaning As is clear from the analysis essay on “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”, this poem shows the theme of a man’s longing to escape into nature for peace and reconnection.
  • Symbolism in Death of a Salesman The play is based on both Miller’s personal experiences and the theatrical traditions in which he was instructed in.”Death of a salesman” revolves around the Loman family with Willy Loman, the father, who also works […]
  • Story, Plot, and Symbolism of “Othello” Film The movie’s point of attack is Othello’s decision to overlook Iago for a promotion to the position of Lieutenant in favor of Cassio.
  • Allegory and Symbolism in “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor Through symbolism, O’Connor was able to convey the characters’ unique features with their names, connection to parents with Hulga’s wooden leg, Joy’s mindset with her glasses, and Pointer’s non-religiousness with the hollow Bible.
  • Symbolism in “Bartleby, the Scrivener” by Herman Melville In the narrative, the lawyer’s office is divided into two rooms by a glass folding door, one where Bartleby works and the other where the lawyer’s station is.
  • Symbolism in “A Fine Balance” by Rohinton Mistry The symbol of a chessboard in this novel is evident in character Maneck. In the novel, Maneck is seen jumping ahead of a train with the chessboard, possibly destroying it.
  • Symbolism in the “Araby” by James Joyce This symbolizes the blindness of the area of residence and the house in which he lives. The narrator is new to the love of a girl and does not know how to handle her.
  • Home Imagery and Symbolism in Literature: The Most Crucial but Underestimated Things in Human Life Being the representatives of different literary genres, the chosen stories contributes to the promotion of home as the only place for hope, safety, and empowerment.
  • Biblical Allusions and Symbolism in Billy Budd – Analysis Melville in this novel brings out two strong opposing forces between the good and the evil and how the human race has continuously failed to make the right decision because of the fallen state of […]
  • Symbolism in The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Alexie But, what actually makes the hardships of the Indians in and around the Spokane Indian Reservation bearable to the reader is the excessively used hilarity and empathy that Alexie has used in the anthology.
  • Socio-Political Symbolism in Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ Through the symbolism they pertain to, both pieces of work are an undeniably true reflection of the socio-economic and political struggles in the turn of the 19th century, as well as within the New Deal […]
  • Symbolism in “Désirée’s” Baby by Kate Chopin After Desiree walks into the desert, instead of walking back to the Valmonde family plantation, Armand sees that all her clothes and belongings at the Augbiny’s are placed in a bonfire.
  • Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding In The Lord of the Flies, the fire in the story is lit as a symbol of hope and rescue. The island in The Lord Of The Flies resembled the perfect type of Utopia at […]
  • White Whale’s Symbolism in “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale, is Ahab’s adversary, at least in the mind of the captain. Moby Dick is experienced in the ways of the chase and shows his power and fury in […]
  • Analysis of Setting, Character Development, and Symbolism in the Play A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen. In the play, the author creates the unity of setting so as to underscore the feeling that the main heroine Nora is the prisoner of her life.
  • “The Taj Mahal: Architecture, Symbolism, and Urban Significance” by Koch, E In The Taj Mahal: Architecture, symbolism, and urban significance an architectural historian Ebba Koch claims that the Taj Mahal, built in 1632, in Agra, under the patronage of Shah Jahan, was not just a burial […]
  • Hills Like White Elephants Analysis Hemingway wrote ‘Hills like White Elephants’ in the third-person perspective that restricts the tale to the words and actions of the characters.
  • “Mulholland Drive” by David Lynch: Symbolism of Color The history of the cinema is filled with the works of many directors, but only a few of them can be ranked among the geniuses of this kind of art, like David Lynch.
  • Symbolism in Frost’s “Unharvested” and Bishop’s “The Fish” We can being by comparing the use of irony in each poem.”The Fish” is comprised mostly of descriptions of the fish that the speaker of the poem caught.
  • Ritual and Symbolism of Holy Communion Nevertheless, as far as the believers’ subjective perception of the surrounding reality is being concerned, this flesh and blood continue to appear in the form of bread and wine.
  • Imagery and Symbolism in “Good Country People” Essentially, the narrator is not personally involved in the events of the story, but he is in a position to see what the two characters are doing and even read their minds.
  • Symbolism of Nature in J. Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’ The ‘Heart of Darkness’ is replete with symbolism, from the beginning till the end, and Conrad uses nature to symbolize every situation in the story.
  • “Symbolism of Snow” Story One of the ways in which the snow is used to evoke this memory is the way she remembers the man.
  • Symbolism in “The Birthmark” & “The Minister’s Black Veil” In both The Minister’s Black veil and The Birthmark, Hawthorne’s use symbolism of symbolism is conspicuous. Hawthorne’s use of symbolism comes out clearly in The Minister’s Black Veil and The Birthmark.
  • Symbolism in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson The characters in the story, the objects, and the figures used make up the universe of the literary work. This is achieved through the use of symbols conveying the writer’s idea and revealing the essence […]
  • Symbolism in “Everyday Use” by Walker and “Worn Path” by Welty In the second story, the symbol of the past and something that had long gone is the woman’s path that implies the historical events of the past the value of life.
  • Symbolism in the “Howl” Poem by Allen Ginsberg Based on the analysis of the poem and the idea of a speech act, one can say that the first part of the poem is the addressee, the beatniks, including the author himself.
  • Symbolism in “Sula” by Toni Morrison One of the most obvious symbols presented in the novel is a large birthmark on the forehead of one of the story’s protagonists – Sula Peace.
  • Symbolism in Shakespeare’s Othello and Pope’s The Rape of the Lock This paper aims to compare the aspects of symbolism in Othello and The Rape of the Lock. The lock in the poem “The Rape of the Lock” is more than just a coiled strand of […]
  • The symbolism of dragons in Chinese art A fixed number of scales is attached to the yin and yang in order to manage the temper inside the dragon.
  • Death Symbolism in “The Naked City” Film and “Manhattan Transfer” Novel Although the reader is not informed about the outcome of her life it seems that she is too weak and innocent to survive in this city.
  • “Krik? Krak!” by Edwidge Danticat: Common Theme and Symbolism The history of Haiti, the political consequences of colonialism and the condition of women are the common themes in her stories.
  • Narrator’s Changing Character in “The Yellow Wallpaper” The story thus portrays the transformative reading potential in that had the narrator failed to realize that the reading has the potential to transform her. The yellow paper helped to transform the narrator in that […]
  • Symbolism and Social Identity in Dubliners by Joyce With the aid of four short stories from Dubliners “The Sisters,” “The Dead,” “The Araby,” and “An Encounter” the author intends to cover the aspect of Irish social identity and norms as being discovered through […]
  • Symbolism and Superstition in Architecture and Design It is this use of symbolism as a part of architectural aesthetics and design that will be focused on in this paper within the context of superstitions from different cultures and how they influence the […]
  • Symbolism in “Comfort Woman” by Nora Okja Keller The lives of the Mother and daughter can be interpreted in terms of a river that has fully developed from the formation to the old stage.
  • Themes and Symbolism in “Fahrenheit 451” The kerosene fire that the firemen use is associated with the chaotic nature of fire and the firemen’s desire to destroy.
  • Water Symbolism in Christianity and Islam Water symbolism in religion is the practice of associating water to particular beliefs that govern the religion’s rules. The raising water continuously lifted the ark preventing the Noah family and other animals from drowning Muslims […]
  • The symbolism of the journey in Frost’s “The Path Not Taken,” Welty’s “A Worn Path,” and Rhys’ “I Used to Live Here Once” As the paper unveils, the similarities in the use of symbolism in the in the three works is explored with the aim of understanding the effect that symbolism has on readers.
  • Symbolism in O’Connor’s “A Good Man…” and Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” Light is a metaphor for all of the optimistic and pleasant aspects that are inherent in the experience of living. The cup of trembling is a symbol used in the Bible to represent the pain […]
  • Symbolism in the Parasite Film In particular, Bean proposes that the ending represents the cycle of capitalism and that the film shows the realities of such a system.
  • Symbolism of Moscow and The Kremlin The Kremlin is a fortified complex that dates back to the 14th century and has served as the center of power in Russia for most of its history since then.
  • The Symbolism of Gregor’s Transformation in Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” However, even before the incident, there were no warmth and mutual understanding in the family, despite the fact that the young man was the only breadwinner of the family.
  • Symbolism Behind “The Belly of the Whale” The belly of the whale is one of the most powerful symbols that illustrate the hero’s death, which may not always be physical and the rebirth that follows it.
  • The Use of Dark Symbolism in “Othello” and “Paradise Lost” Thus, the use of dark imagery in Milton’s work is implemented to heighten the contrast between light and darkness, good and evil.
  • Use of Strangers as Symbolism in American Fiction Symbolism reflects in the stories “Young Goodman Brown,” “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” and “A&P” through the use of strangers in their plots.
  • The Role of Symbolism in “Young Goodman Brown” by Hawthorne One of the most significant symbols used in the story that reoccurs throughout the narrative and becomes apparent to the reader only closer to the end is the characters’ names.
  • Tabernacle in the Old Testament and Its Symbolism People need to analyze the study about the tabernacle and its symbolism to gather more insight into the Word of God. As the tabernacle made God closer to people, it also provided them with a […]
  • Symbolism in Film “The Wizard of Oz” Thus, the Tinman goes to the wizard to ask him for a living, feeling heart. Finally, the Cowardly Lion goes to the Emerald City to ask the wizard to give him courage.
  • Symbolism in O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” The current essay discusses the implementation of symbolism in A Good Man is Hard to Find and its effects on the narrative.
  • Description of “Symbolism” Architecture from the Past Built in the 1880’s, the Eiffel Tower became the symbol of Paris and in the 1990’s, the Spanish city of Bilbao became a centre of attraction because of the Guggenheim Museum.
  • Scholasticism: Realism to Symbolism This is because it abridges the meaning of an item and its being through the concepts of historical and current symbolism and realism while bringing out the in-depth socio-cultural aspects of the work.
  • Symbolism in Snow Falling on Cedars by Guterson The very first and the strangest thing to me was the very fact that Kabuo was suspected of killing a man, and this man was not just a mere man.
  • Attributes to Emily’s Grierson Character Changes and the Use of Symbolism The changes in Emily’s life can be largely attributed to Emily’s father and her perception of change. Emily’s father is the only man in her life for the better part of her life.
  • Dream Symbolism, Epic of Gilgamesh and Sigmund Freud Considering any similarity among the three given theories, it is can be seen that ‘Dream Symbolism’ and ‘Sigmund Freud’ are very similar in the sense that in both of them the main subject is wouldream’.
  • Narration and Symbolism in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” The narrator of the story performs the role of the main rhetorical device that ensures the disclosure of the main theme of the story.
  • Image and Meaning, Symbolism, Myths, Ideology Thesis statement: This study provides useful terminology and important understanding regarding the use of symbols such as the image, shape or suggestion of an apple in attempting to convey an idea.
  • Psychology and Symbolism in Leadership From the practical point of view, it was related to the pressures that could be exerted in Latin America in support of the Cuban Revolution, that is to say, the national interests of the new […]
  • The Symbolism of Mermaid in the Book Galang’s “One Tribe” The image of the mermaid also signifies the fear that dominates the youth and all the people that live in this Midwestern town.
  • Conflict and Symbolism in Little Children Film It signifies a search of some identity in the world and in the event of providing satisfaction on ho we are as people.
  • Kate Chopin’s Symbolism in Short Stories The lightning becomes the conflict inside her and the beating of the rain on her roof is the beating of her heart as she finally expresses her passion with Alcee.
  • Theatrical Plays: Symbolism and Values Analysis The ending of the play is extremely theatrical as it brings the audience back to reality from the illusionary world created in the play.
  • Symbolism in “A Doll’s House” Play by Henrik Ibsen The main objective of the play “A Doll’s House” is to advocate for the ability of each individual in making decisions that are not based on the influences of other persons around him or her. […]
  • Symbolism in “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad There is the use of visual imagery in his work, and this was achieved through the use of contrast. At some point in the novel, Conrad’s use of imagery appeared vague and confusing in that […]
  • Harriet Jacobs: Symbolism in “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” It is hypothesized that there are several symbols such as the attic, the topic of slavery, and the theme of womanhood that may define this book as one of the best representations of slavery and […]
  • Symbolism in Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” The only thing that was discovered is the meaning of the idiom “the hills like white elephants,” which refers to something precious, but useless.
  • Mecca’s Symbolism and Importance to People The combination of peoples beliefs, natural phenomena, and socio-cultural conditions led to the increase of the role of artefacts in the life of society.
  • Japanese Tea Ceremony, Its History and Symbolism At the heart of the ceremony is the utilization of tea leaves. Japanese experts in the art of Chado asserted that there is a meditative aspect to the said ceremony.
  • Product Meaning’s Reconsidering: Symbolism of Advertising To start with, the crown on Katy Perry’s head can be interpreted as an indicator of social status, with the scepter enhancing the given impression and, thus, sending the audience the message concerning the nobility […]
  • Religious Symbolism in Renaissance Paintings Although the art pieces created by Masaccio, del Castagno and Lippi may seem completely different, with the common thread of Christianity as the only thing that links them, a close analysis of the messages behind […]
  • The Play Antigone: Characterization and Symbolism Antigone’s conviction is that the dead deserve a decent burial in spite of the circumstances that led to their death while Creon’s preoccupation is to enforce the laws of the land that disallow burial of […]
  • Symbolism in Ozymandias by P.B. Shelley, The Sick Rose by W. Blake, The Road Not Taken by R. Frost Through the use of these symbols, Shelley intends to communicate to the audience the extent of the destruction of the statue.
  • The Symbolism of Public Transportation in “On the Streetcar” and Washington Square The symbol of the street-car carriage described in Emilia Pardo Bazan’s short story reflects the desire of the people to represent themselves as belonging to the higher class and to overcome the challenges of the […]
  • Iceberg Principle and Landscape Symbolism Reveal the Development of the Character All the reader has is the landscape and the dialogue. Thus, she looks at the “line of the hills”, and the hills are “white in the sun”.
  • Symbolism in three literature works Symbolism is conveyed in the form of Cherry Orchard, which is heavily presented throughout the play. The orchard is therefore used as a symbolism in this play.
  • Symbolism in play The Minister’s Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne The veil representation has been commonly used to illustrate fear of the unknown and the rigidity in the puritan society. Equally, the wearing of the veil is a signal of being guilty.
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

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126 Symbolism Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on symbolism, 🔎 easy symbolism research paper topics, 🎓 interesting symbolism essay topics, 👍 good symbolism research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot symbolism ideas to write about, ❓ questions about symbolism.

  • Symbolism in The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
  • The Dead – James Joyce: Themes, Symbolism, and Title Significance
  • Symbolism in “The Road Not Taken” by Frost
  • Symbolism in “Araby” Short Story by James Joyce
  • Symbolism, Setting, Irony in Hemingway’s ”Hills Like White Elephants”
  • Symbolism in Wuthering Heights
  • Robinson Crusoe’s Symbolism and Footprint
  • Symbolism in Herman Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener” The story “Bartleby the Scrivener” is rather symbolic as the very street (Wall Street), Bartleby’s cabinet and his previous job are the symbols which show the life of New York in 1850s
  • Symbolism in “Disgrace” by John Coetzee The Novel, Disgrace, revolves around David Lurie, a University lecturer who faces one disgrace after another. Disgrace follows David wherever he goes throughout the novel.
  • Symbolism in “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” by Marquez Literary devices have been used in “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings,” especially symbolism that Marquez uses to develop the characters and the themes.
  • Symbolism of Raymond Carver’s “The Bath” Story In Raymond Carver’s “The Bath,” the bath or the tub repeatedly appears in the text, in a sense, the bath symbolizes the mother’s womb.
  • Symbolism in A Doll’s House A Doll’s House is one of the many plays written by a Norwegian playwright and theatre director Henrik Johan Ibsen. Now Ibsen is often referred to as one of the most influential writers of his time and even as “a father of realism”. In this work, the plot revolves around…
  • Symbolism in Walt Whitman’s Poem Crossing Brooklyn Ferry In the poem, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry by Walt Whitman, the poet describes his crisscrossing journey back and forth Brooklyn via a ferry.
  • Symbolism in O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night In Eugene O’Neill’s play “Long Day’s Journey into Night”, the playwright presents the inner workings of a dysfunctional family long before the term dysfunctional became a buzzword of American psychology.
  • Symbolism in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller In Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman, the sub-surface ideals of the American Dream are investigated and a very close ruinous look is the outcome.
  • Symbolism in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner This paper analyzes symbolism in Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” which includes the house, gray hair, and man’s toilet set, and these represent mental and physical deterioration.
  • Symbolism of Clothes in Canterbury Tales How did Chaucer criticize the church The Canterbury Tales? What characters do reflect this criticism? Check this essay to find out.
  • Robert Browning: Analysis of Author’s Style, Works’ Themes, and the Symbolism In his works, Robert Browning explores such issues as the position of women in the family and society; he stresses the importance of equity and unity.
  • The Symbolism of the Cage in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Film and Novel The cage symbol has tremendous value for creating Breakfast characters at Tiffany’s feelings; however, the peculiarities of the film and the novel revealed it differently.
  • The Symbolism of the Bechdel’s Family Home in Fun Home Bechdel’s family home has a symbolic meaning in tragicomedy. It is expressed through different aspects of this symbol, which represent the characteristics of Alison’s father.
  • “Oedipus Rex” Play: Eyes as Symbolism This essay will examine the importance of imagery in “Oedipus Rex”, reveals how eyes act as symbolism and foreshadowing, and how it affects the storyline’s development.
  • Symbolism and Character Motivation in Glaspell’s “Trifles” “Trifles” is a short play composed by Susan Glaspell, which revolves around the killing of John Wright and the murder apprehension of his wife, Mrs. Minnie Wright.
  • “O Captain! My Captain!”: Symbolism, Imagery, and the American Dream The famous “O Captain! My Captain!” written by Walt Whitman is a short literary work encompassing several complex topics important to each American.
  • Symbolism in “A Jury of Her Peers” Short Story by Susan Glaspell One of the landmark stories on the problem of social injustice suffered by women, Susan Glaspell’s “A Jury of Her Peers” introduces a unique yet relatable perspective on the issue.
  • Symbolism in “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway The main characters in the novel “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway, who are Catherine and Frederic Henry, do not seem to have power over their lives in the course of the war.
  • Symbolism in Steinbeck’s Story “The Chrysanthemums” Steinbeck uses number of literary devises in his story The Chrysanthemums and the rich usage of symbolism is marked first.
  • Power and Race Symbolism in Coetzee’s “Disgrace” In Disgrace, symbolism is used as a thematic element to demonstrate principles of power and race while providing commentary about the socio-political strife in South Africa
  • “The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich: Symbolism As the title shows, “The Red Convertible” is the main fulcrum of the story and the entire plot is built around it. It is used as a symbol of happiness with its color ‘red’ denoting passion and life.
  • Symbolism and Social Issues in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an excellent piece of literature enabling to examine the way symbolism may be applied in order to reveal the most appealing ideas.
  • The Use of Symbolism in John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” The purpose of this paper is to analyze the symbolic meanings behind the main characters of John Steinbeck’s novella “Of Mice and Men”.
  • Symbolism Used by Hawthorn to Support the Theme of “Young Goodman Brown” In “Young Goodman Brown,” Hawthorn uses symbols such as forest, Faith, and the color pink to support the theme of his short story.
  • Blood Symbolism in “Macbeth” by Shakespeare The blood acts as a sign of guilt and murder, which Shakespeare employs to illustrate the personalities of Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth.
  • Symbolism in the “Queen of the South” Series The present paper aims at discussing symbolism in “Queen of the South”, an original Netflix series. In particular, two central symbols – the Santa Muerte and crows.
  • Symbolism in “Death of a Salesman” Play by Arthur Miller The play “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller is a story of a salesman, Willy, who is trapped by his daydreams.
  • Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery: Imagery, Foreshadowing, & Symbolism Shirley Jackson’s employment of detailed imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism has contributed significantly to the masterful nature of “The Lottery.”
  • Nathaniel Hawthorne: Symbolism in Short Stories The presence of the symbol of the Devil in different characters suggests the idea of the sinful nature of a human being and the power of evil in the world.
  • Symbolism in The Great Gatsby In The Great Gatsby there are several symbols but the most powerful appears to be the eyes that overlook the valley from a bill board.
  • Symbolism in Dickinson’s Poem “Dew’Is the Freshet in the Grass” Symbolism is the main literary device that Dickinson uses in the poem “Dew’is the Freshet in the Grass” to reveal the subtext and key message to the reader.
  • The Symbolism of Blood in Barn Burning by William Faulkner Do you want to learn about the symbolism of blood in Barn Burning? Check the analysis of this symbol in the essay.
  • Symbolism in Coetzee’s “Disgrace” This paper discusses Coetzee’s book Disgrace that uses symbolism to make the description of the protagonist’s worldview and his actions more vivid.
  • Symbolism in Everyday Life, Culture, and Literature This essay presents the use of symbolism in two literary works, “A&P” and “The Hunger Artist,” and how this literary mechanism contributes to the development of the overall themes.
  • Symbolism of the “Bechdel Family” by Alison Bechdel In the book, the author, Alison Bechdel, narrates about her childhood and relationship with her father, and thereby transmits her memories of those days in a very specific form.
  • Symbolism in The Things They Carried The Things They Carried is not all about the material things that soldiers have to carry in their bags to ensure nutrition, water supply, and safety in battlefield.
  • Symbolism in Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” Short Story “Rip Van Winkle” is a symbolic story. Washington Irving used a fictional event to portray the difference between the same places of America before and during the Revolutionary War.
  • Symbolism of Christmas Spirits in “A Christmas Carol” “A Christmas Carol” renders the theme of fate, which is reflected in the three Spirits of Christmas, they symbolize Scrooge’s life in the past, present, and future.
  • Symbolism in “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” Poem by Coleridge In Coleridge’s poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” the story begins with a young man getting stopped by an old Mariner on his way to a wedding with two of his friends.
  • Symbolism in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick: Or, the White Whale Symbolism in the novel Moby Dick: Or, the White Whale by Herman Melville will be considered from the perspective of the ideas and the subtexts utilized to reflect the key messages.
  • Symbolism in The Lottery Story by Shirley Jackson The Lottery was written by Shirley Jackson in 1948 and contains many notable themes. The Lottery might be perceived as a short story that contains a considerable number of symbols.
  • Idealism versus Pragmatism through Symbolism in the Novel “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway Hemingway narrates the love story, as a way of showing the delusions that people relates war, which negates the setting of the novel.
  • Allegory and Symbolism in “The Chrysanthemums” and “The Yellow Wallpaper” The story is based upon the life events and psychological issues the author herself faced. She is forced to abide by what her husband feels is best.
  • Christian Symbolism and Imagery in “The Matrix” Film The Matrix film is a prediction of the negative effects of technology that can change us into mere creatures to be manipulated by the matrix system of the world.
  • Symbolism in “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” recounts the tale of Basho’s actual excursion through Japan. It tells the account of better places in Japan.
  • Symbolism and Irony in Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston Sweat is a short shorty written by Zora Neale Hurston. It centers around the marital conflict between a hardworking Christian washerwoman.
  • Symbolism in “Dante’s Inferno” Inferno is a symbolic work where everything remains in as an image for something different. The journey through Hell is the fundamental part of the poem’s symbolism.
  • Symbolism in “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck Symbols are the types of stylistic devices that writers use in order to extend people’s perception of the story. Symbolism is a very frequently used way of text representation.
  • Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby The novel Great Gatsby depicts the unique vision of the American dream and its impact on the life of a person during the 1920s.
  • Symbolism in “Disgrace” by John Maxwell Coetzee In books, symbols make the story deeper and allow a reader to understand the author’s ideas better. This paper analyzes symbolism in Disgrace by John Maxwell Coetzee.
  • Symbolism of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” A feature of “Sir Gawain…” is that the meaning of some symbols is revealed in the course of the story, while the sense of others is ambiguous even with in-depth analysis.
  • “The Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne: Symbolism The creative activity of Hawthorne is heavily influenced by his background and the religious education that left the trace of guilt, doubt, and self-examination on his works .
  • Symbolism in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare Macbeth is a symbol that any society should try to avoid. It signifies that if life is lead by ambition that would not be stopped by anything regardless of this hostility the world will be in danger.
  • Theory of Symbolism in a Reading of “A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner and “The Symbol” by Virginia Woolf The brightest representatives of this style are considered to be Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and Dorothy Richardson, who were followed by many others.
  • Symbolism in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins The symbolism of the yellow wallpaper on the house walls, Gilman conveys the mental health state of the protagonist throughout “The Yellow Wallpaper.”
  • Symbolism of Canopic Jars in Ancient Egypt The symbolism of the canopic jars inherent in the images of the gods, their associations with human organs, and their purpose in the afterlife represents a big field for research.
  • Symbolism of the Cage in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by Truman Capote 1958 in Truman Capote’s work was marked by the publication of the novel Breakfast at Tiffany’s, in which he described the world of Holiday Golightly.
  • Symbolism in “The Egg” and “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” In the short stories, eggs have been used to represent the possibility of a better future, while hair is a symbol of womanhood and everything which is expected from a lady.
  • “Love in the Time of Cholera” vs “Theme of the Traitor and the Hero”: Context and Symbolism In both books, both writers present an awesome twist of love being depicted not only by these characters but also other supporting ones.
  • Symbolism in Petals on the Wind by V. C. Andrews Petals on the Wind, the second novel of V. C. Andrews’s trilogy, dwells on the life of Chris, Cathy, and Carrie after they manage to escape the attic and move to Florida.
  • Symbolism in Literature: “The Raven”, “Young Goodman Brown” This paper discusses how the authors use symbolism to create a certain subtext for the reader in “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe and “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
  • Symbolism in “The Carpenter’s Gift” by Rubel In the book “The Carpenter’s Gift” by Rubel, the author expresses the idea that kind actions do not go unnoticed and make the world better.
  • Impressionism and Symbolism in Music In Claude Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun”, the melody is played by the flute. The tempo is inconsistent, and it is hard to grasp the feel of the meter.
  • Symbolism in Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death” E. A. Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death is a horror story about Prince Prospero and his masquerade ball during the Red Death plague spreading. The disease symbolizes Tuberculosis.
  • The Hidden Symbolism in Picasso’s Guernica Pablo Picasso’s Guernica is one of his most famous paintings. It was finished in 1937 and is painted with oil on a canvas.
  • Symbolism and Expression in “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne This story is considered to be deeply psychological and grabs readers’ attention by its symbolism and imaginative expression
  • Symbolism and Racism in Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird,” symbolism has been used as the vessel by which racism is expressed indirectly, so readers explore the meaning behind such symbols.
  • Victimization Image in the “Disgrace” by John Maxwell Coetzee The paper explored two sources of symbolism in the novel Disgrace: dogs and Lord Byron. The animals in the book represent instruments of oppression and a low socioeconomic status.
  • Symbolism in John Maxwell Coetzee’s “Disgrace” The issue of social isolation and ostracism has been explored extensively in literature, yet it shines through especially vividly in Coetzee’s award-winning Disgrace.
  • The Symbolism and Meaning of Jerusalem Compared to England’s History
  • Symbolism and Biblical Allusions in “The Kite Runner”
  • Understanding the Objectives and Symbolism of Baptism
  • Symbolism and Autobiographical Elements in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
  • The Importance of Symbolism, Figurative Language, and Irony in Works
  • Symbolism and Destructive Attitudes in “Genus Narcissus”
  • Nature Settings: Symbolism and Shaping Perception
  • Symbolism: Byzantine Empire and Winston Churchill
  • Symbolism Behind Fear and Foresight
  • American Symbolism and Mythology
  • Nathaniel Hawthorne: Symbolism in Short Stories
  • Symbolism Behind the Names of the Female Characters in “The Great Gatsby” American Literature
  • The Relationship Between Character Symbolism and Chilean Society in Ariel Dorfman’s “Death and the Maiden”
  • Symbolism and Double Meaning in Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown”
  • Redemption From Sin: Symbolism Creating Theme Within “The Scarlet Letter”
  • The Significance and Symbolism of Mondays in Marquez’ Novel
  • Symbolism and Literary Techniques in George Orwell’s
  • Powerful Symbols and Symbolism in “The Glass Menagerie”
  • Culturally Bound Practices: Jewish Symbolism
  • Pagan and Christian Symbolism in “Sir Gawain and the Green Night”
  • Comprehending Indian Images and Symbolism
  • Symbolism, Imagery, and Theme Compared Through the Stories “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Scarlet Ibis”
  • Principles of How the Author Uses Symbology That Contributes to the Success of the Text
  • Symbolism, Themes, and Metaphors in “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville
  • “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”: Christian Symbolism
  • How Does Symbolism Contribute to the Themes of 1984?
  • What Are the Main Types of Symbolism?
  • How Does Symbolism Influence Theatre?
  • What Is Symbolism and Why Is It Used?
  • How Do the Authors Use Contrasts and Symbolism to Convey the Central Ideas of the Novel?
  • Why Does Symbolism Important in the Novel?
  • How Does Walker Use Imagery and Symbolism?
  • What Was Symbolism Influenced By?
  • How Is Effective and Convincing Golding’s Use of Symbolism?
  • What Is the Difference Between Theme and Symbolism?
  • What Are the Characteristics of Symbolism?
  • How Did Symbolism Art Influence Debussy’s Music?
  • What Is the Importance of Symbolism in Every Day Life?
  • What Is the Structure of Symbolism?
  • How Did Woolf Use Symbolism to Write Good Fiction?
  • Is Symbolism Important in Culture?
  • What Details Support Faulkner’s Use of Symbolism in “A Rose for Emily”?
  • What Is the Purpose of a Symbol in Writing?
  • How Is Symbolism Used in “Frankenstein”?
  • What Is Symbolism as a Literary Device?
  • How Is Symbolism Formed?
  • What Is the Effect of Symbolism?
  • How Do You Identify Symbolism in a Text?
  • Is Symbolism Important in Art?
  • How Does Symbolism Add Depth to a Story?

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StudyCorgi. (2021, December 21). 126 Symbolism Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/symbolism-essay-topics/

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StudyCorgi . "126 Symbolism Essay Topics." December 21, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/symbolism-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "126 Symbolism Essay Topics." December 21, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/symbolism-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Symbolism were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on December 28, 2023 .

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107 Symbolism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Symbolism is a literary device that authors use to convey deeper meanings in their work. By using objects, characters, and events to represent abstract ideas or themes, writers can add layers of complexity and depth to their stories. In this article, we will explore 107 symbolism essay topic ideas and provide examples to help you better understand how symbolism can be used in literature.

  • The use of the color white to symbolize purity and innocence in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
  • The symbol of the mockingbird in "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee and its representation of innocence and vulnerability.
  • The use of the green light in "The Great Gatsby" as a symbol of hope and the American Dream.
  • The scarlet letter in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel as a symbol of shame and sin.
  • The use of the raven in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" as a symbol of death and mourning.
  • The symbol of the river in Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" as a representation of freedom and escape.
  • The symbol of the conch shell in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" as a representation of civilization and order.
  • The use of the rose in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" as a symbol of love and decay.
  • The symbol of the red hunting cap in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" as a representation of individuality and rebellion.
  • The use of the mirror in Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" as a symbol of self-reflection and identity.
  • The symbol of the fire in Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" as a representation of destruction and renewal.
  • The use of the clock in Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway" as a symbol of the passage of time and mortality.
  • The symbol of the white whale in Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" as a representation of obsession and revenge.
  • The use of the handkerchief in William Shakespeare's "Othello" as a symbol of fidelity and betrayal.
  • The symbol of the yellow wallpaper in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's story as a representation of female oppression and madness.
  • The use of the tree in Toni Morrison's "Beloved" as a symbol of growth and resilience.
  • The symbol of the glass unicorn in Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" as a representation of fragility and isolation.
  • The use of the train in Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy as a symbol of progress and change.
  • The symbol of the heart in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" as a representation of guilt and madness.
  • The use of the labyrinth in Jorge Luis Borges' "The Garden of Forking Paths" as a symbol of confusion and choice.
  • The symbol of the phoenix in J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series as a representation of rebirth and renewal.
  • The use of the mirror in Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass" as a symbol of reflection and self-discovery.
  • The symbol of the ring in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" as a representation of power and corruption.
  • The use of the apple in John Milton's "Paradise Lost" as a symbol of temptation and sin.
  • The symbol of the rosebush in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" as a representation of forgiveness and redemption.
  • The use of the owl in William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" as a symbol of darkness and death.
  • The symbol of the mask in Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" as a representation of deceit and vanity.
  • The use of the mirror in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" as a symbol of self-reflection and identity.
  • The symbol of the cross in Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" as a representation of sacrifice and redemption.
  • The use of the tree in Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" as a symbol of growth and resilience.
  • The symbol of the bird in Emily Dickinson's poetry as a representation of freedom and transcendence.
  • The use of the moon in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as a symbol of magic and illusion.
  • The symbol of the river in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude" as a representation of time and memory.
  • The use of the mirror in Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita" as a symbol of reflection and self-discovery.
  • The symbol of the rose in John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" as a representation of beauty and resilience.
  • The use of the serpent in John Milton's "Paradise Lost" as a symbol of temptation and evil.
  • The symbol of the clock in Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" as a representation of control and conformity.
  • The use of the tree in William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying" as a symbol of growth and decay.
  • The symbol of the river in Toni Morrison's "Song of Solomon" as a representation of history and identity.
  • The use of the mirror in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" as a symbol of reflection and madness.
  • The symbol of the rose in William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" as a representation of love and passion.
  • The use of the tree in Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" as a symbol of nature and wildness.
  • The symbol of the heart in Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations" as a representation of love and redemption.
  • The use of the bird in Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca" as a symbol of freedom and mystery.
  • The symbol of the mirror in Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" as a representation of guilt and self-reflection.
  • The use of the tree in George Orwell's "1984" as a symbol of rebellion and hope.
  • The symbol of the river in Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" as a representation of healing and transformation.
  • The use of the mirror in George Eliot's "Middlemarch" as a symbol of reflection and self-discovery.
  • The symbol of the rose in Charlotte Bronte's "Villette" as a representation of passion and desire.
  • The use of the tree in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "Love in the Time of Cholera" as a symbol of growth and endurance.
  • The symbol of the heart in Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" as a representation of love and despair.
  • The use of the bird in Virginia Woolf's "To the Lighthouse" as a symbol of freedom and transcendence.
  • The symbol of the mirror in James Joyce's "Ulysses" as a representation of reflection and self-discovery.
  • The use of the tree in Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" as a symbol of transformation and isolation.
  • The symbol of the rose in Sylvia Plath's poetry as a representation of beauty and decay.
  • The use of the heart in William Wordsworth's poetry as a symbol of nature and emotion.
  • The symbol of the bird in Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" as a representation of freedom and longing.
  • The use of the mirror in Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" as a symbol of reflection and self-discovery.
  • The symbol of the tree in Emily Dickinson's poems as a representation of growth and resilience.
  • The use of the rose in John Keats' poetry as a symbol of beauty and transience.
  • The symbol of the heart in Walt Whitman's poetry as a representation of love and unity.
  • The use of the bird in Robert Frost's poetry as a symbol of freedom and exploration.
  • The symbol of the mirror in Langston Hughes' poetry as a representation of reflection and self-discovery.
  • The use of the tree in Maya Angelou's poetry as a symbol of growth and endurance.
  • The symbol of the rose in Pablo Neruda's poetry as a representation of love and passion.
  • The use of the heart in Rumi's poetry as a symbol of spirituality and connection.
  • The symbol of the bird in Sylvia Plath's poetry as a representation of freedom and expression.
  • The use of the mirror in Emily Dickinson's poems as a symbol of reflection and self-discovery.
  • The symbol of the tree in W.B. Yeats' poetry as a representation of nature and mysticism.
  • The use of the rose in William Blake's poetry as a symbol of beauty and innocence.
  • The symbol of the heart in T.S. Eliot's poetry as a representation of love and longing.
  • The use of the bird in Emily Bronte's poetry as a symbol of freedom and escape.
  • The symbol of the mirror in Robert Browning's poetry as a representation of reflection and self-awareness.
  • The use of the tree in Christina Rossetti's poetry as a symbol of growth and renewal.
  • The symbol of the rose in John Donne's poetry as a representation of love and devotion.
  • The use of the heart in Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poetry as a

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Symbolism

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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

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"To Kill a Mockingbird": Symbolism in The Novel by Harper Lee

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Symbolism in The Hound of The Baskerville by Arthur Conan

The symbolism of light and darkness as depicted in antigone, 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 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.

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  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • A Rose For Emily

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Essay Samples on Symbolism

Hearing about an essay on symbolism may frighten even the bravest college students, yet there is nothing to fear because the list of topics to write about will always depend on your initial task. It can be a symbolism of friendship in a book that you have read during the semester or symbolism of mosques in Turkey. In any case, it makes sense when you see a sample of what it means in practice. Take a look at our free essay example that explores symbolism to see that it goes beyond typical metaphors. See how the conclusion part sums up the basic information in a simpler way and connects to the main thesis. Pay attention to how the quotes are incorporated to support certain thoughts and ideas.

"The Catcher in the Rye": Role of Symbolism in Salinger's Novel

J.D. Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye" is renowned for its rich use of symbolism, which deepens the narrative and conveys profound themes. Through the eyes of its protagonist, Holden Caulfield, the novel explores the complexities of adolescence, identity, and the loss of innocence....

  • Catcher in The Rye

Symbolism in "Lord of the Flies": The Power of Symbols in Literature

William Golding's classic novel "Lord of the Flies" is a profound exploration of human nature and the inherent duality of good and evil within individuals. Through skillful utilization of symbolism, Golding effectively conveys deeper themes and insights that resonate with readers on multiple levels. This...

  • Lord of The Flies

Importance and Symbolism of Jaguars in Mesoamerica

Jaguars. The most abundant species of large cats in the Americas and the third most abundant in the world. Jaguars are sleek and elegant, but they are also agile and powerful animals that sit on top of the food chain. With these characteristics it is...

  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Mesoamerica

Theme, Setting and Symbolism in 1984: an Overview of Orwell's Novel

For this 'Theme, Setting and Symbolism in 1984' essay the task for an author is to discuss how effectively Orwell uses one of the following literary devices in 1984: symbolism, theme, setting or point of view.  In the hard hitting and some could say most...

  • George Orwell

What Does Water Symbolize in T. Morison's Novel "Beloved"

Water. As simple as it may sound, water has a much deeper and more powerful meaning. Water can express power in the form of a storm or a huge ocean wave. It can be used to clean off a bruise or to grow plants on...

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The Southern Gothic Tale In A Rose For Emily

A small rural town attempts to maintain their identity while attempting to adapt to their new way of life. A once beautiful, but now decrepit house, a reminder of the way things used to be, when their way of life was not considered evil, when...

  • A Rose For Emily
  • William Faulkner

Human Strength In A Lesson Before Dying

Jefferson acts out of character by proclaiming he is a hog. Just as hogs eat from a pen, Jefferson performs a disgrace act in front of Grant. This dehumanizing action shows how he took the words of the defendant to heart. Continuous throughout the novel,...

  • A Lesson Before Dying

All That Lies In The Necklace 

Guy de Maupassant was born in a rented castle in 1850. Throughout his life, he possessed many job titles and occupations. As a teenager, he was taken in as a student of sorts by novelist Gustave Flaubert. He wrote more than three hundred short stories,...

  • The Necklace

The Role Of Symbolism In "Never Let Me Go" By Kazuo Ishiguro

“Never Let Me Go” is a novel that shows what happens when a society is given the tools to freely experiment. These experiments are done with scientific experimentation without taking into consideration the moral implications. One can read this novel as “a cautionary tale regarding...

  • Never Let Me Go

Symbolism of the Peyton Farquhar's Journey in Ambrose Bierce's Story An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

Many citizens in America were bewildered after the Civil War because of everything they had lost. The author starts the story with a group of silent characters that were on a bridge about to hang a plantation slave owner. The narrator shows the reader what...

  • An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

Use of Symbolism in Flannery O'Connor's Novel A Good Man Is Hard to Find

The values and morals that a person possesses makes up their character. Ones principles are a simple set of beliefs that may be perceived in society as right. In 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find', Flannery O' Connor uses symbolism to give further meaning...

  • A Good Man Is Hard to Find

The Role of Symbolism in the Novel A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

The symbolism of rain in A Farewell to Arms plays an important role in Hemingway’s novel. The elements foreshadow events in the story, illustrate character personalities, and serve as the primary symbol for the themes. The weather frequent to this story is especially symbolic, transitioning...

  • A Farewell to Arms
  • Ernest Hemingway

The Symbolism and Literary Functions in Milton's and Donne's Poetry

The discussion of how his “light is spent”(1) has a double entendre, as it can be taken literally as he says he has completely spent in only half of his life or it can be understood in the discussion of how it is spent, relating...

  • A Valediction Forbidding Mourning

The Literary Symbolism and Significance in The Red Badge of Courage

Biographical Information about The Author Stephen Crane was an American author born on November 1, 1871 and died on June 5, 1900. Some of Crane’s most notable works are The Blue Hotel, The Bride Come to Yellow Sky, The Open Boat, Maggie: a Girl of...

  • The Red Badge of Courage

The Long Way Down: Symbolism of Mandala in the Novel

The novel Long Way Down, written by the American author Jason Reynolds, is told by a 15-year-old African American boy William Holloman who is referred to as in the story as Will. He starts by describing the incident of his brother’s assassination and recalls every...

Analysis of Symbolism in The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

In literature, symbolism is a literary device frequently used by writers to convey deeper significance through the use of symbols. One of the most influential and celebrated authors in the literary world, Edgar Allan Poe, often employed this literary device. Poe's works often featured dark...

Symbolism in the Poems "I Hear America Singing" and "Dover Beach"

In this poem, “I Hear America Singing,” the people are given the freedom no matter their job to be able to sing the songs they want and still have an opinion. This poem describes people that make up America today such as carpenters, wives, mothers,...

  • I Hear America Singing

Cultural Views and Legends Surrounding Clover

Cambridge dictionary defines a clover as “a small plant with three round, green leaves that are joined together”, but in a field full of three-leaf clovers, finding a four-leaf one could have a special connotation its signifier gives us a feeling of joy and suspicion...

Symbolism of the Easter Story and the Movie Whale Rider

Easter Story I think the message of the Easter story is “Hope”. In the Gospels, Jesus Christ is the hope that has come into our reality. His light can sparkle in any murkiness in our lives. Easter announces that he has gone through the darkness...

  • Jesus Christ
  • Whale Rider

Australian Fiction and Themes of Independence and Luck in Rabbit Proof Fence

“The “Shifty Shadow of Luck” becomes a religious substitute for Sam as he is guided and controlled by it.” “the old man believed deeply in luck, although he was careful never to say the word. He called it the Shifty Shadow of God. All his...

  • Rabbit Proof Fence

Clothing as Symbolism of Poverty in Gary Soto's "The Jacket"

In 'The Jacket' port of entry and written by Gary Soto duplicate on the characterization and development of the verbalizer. Soto is just looking and keeping his eye on the jacket throughout the majority of the story. Since “The Jacket” uses an exact object, the...

  • Literature Review

The Symbolism and Depiction of the Artist's Life in "A Hunger Artist"

The thesis that I choose is that the panther represents a vibrant life that is no longer available to the artist. The panther seems to be the complete and total opposite of the hunger artist. The artist belongs in the past, while the panther belongs...

  • A Hunger Artist

Annie Dillard: Nature's Role in American Literature

Americas authors have used nature as a form of symbolism in literature. In literature, symbolism has been a very useful tool and has made the representation of the main characters and their prominent attributes easier to understand. In literature appealing and seemingly good nature is...

  • Annie Dillard

The Trickster Symbolism in Joseph Boyden's Three Day Road

Character is a major building block in life and is essential to the development of literature. Often the development of characters is seen using archetypes. When an author uses an archetype in their writing, they link it to many other stories that use that same...

Social Constructs and Symbolism in A Noiseless Patient Spider

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prolific writer of the Transcendental era, suggests that American democracy should progress through the individual part of a whole opposed to the largely popular idea that it takes a group of many. In his address titled “The American Scholar,” Emerson hopes...

  • A Noiseless Patient Spider
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Elements of Symbolism in Lady Lazarus

Published in the middle of the most fruitful time of Plath's resourcefulness, Lady Lazarus is an extremely dull and severe poem. Obviously, it is by all accounts a portrayal of a lady's Suicide Attempts. These endeavors will be tries to break free from the man...

  • Lady Lazarus
  • Sylvia Plath

Characteristics of the Works of W. B. Yeats

Yeats’ ‘An Irish Airman foresees his Death’ is an elegy characterized and stopped by light rhythms- an inevitable finality like death itself. A poem imbued with Yeats’ romantic aspiration for an acceptance and balance between life's inherent oppositions; temporality and eternity, ‘An Irish Airman’ is...

  • An Irish Airman Foresees His Death

Review of Angels and Demons by Dan Brown: A Thrilling Story Tied with Mythology

I’ve always been a fan of Dan Brown since the first novel I read named “Deception Point”. After a bit of research, I found out about another famous novel written by him and it was “Angels and Demons”. This novel was published in 2000 and...

  • Angels and Demons
  • Greek Mythology

Themes and Symbolism in William Cullen Bryant's Poem Thanatopsis

Born in 1794 and dying in 1878, William Cullen Bryant was an American romantic poet, writer, and longtime editor of the New York Evening Post, and the author of Thanatopsis, which means consideration of death. During the time Thanatopsis was written in the 1800s, there...

  • Thanatopsis

Book Analysis of Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: A Complex Story with Unique Symbolism

The Da Vinci Code has been written by an American author Dan Brown who is famous for his suspense and thriller. ‘Angels and Demons’ ‘The Last Symbol’ are some of his known work. It starts with the discovery of the murder of a great Art...

  • Da Vinci Code

Morals Representation Through Symbols in Thank You Ma'am

Morals are the qualities and virtues that assist everyone with having an equitable existence. Virtues ought to be taught in youth so they have a solid establishment, and life is instilled with the qualities. Virtues help in the embellishment of our lives and stepping on...

  • Thank You Ma Am

The Symbolism of Alaska in John Green's Novel Looking For Alaska

John green is the author of Looking for alaska. First friend, first girl, last words, is the words on the front of the book. These words says a lot about the whole book and the content. Because everything is about a girl who´s named Alaska....

  • Looking For Alaska

Symbolism in The Nightingale by Marie De France

The Nightingale written by Marie De France is a classic work of literature that is still being read by students today that leaves a lasting impression on the readers. Marie De France created a complex but sophisticated love triangle that is dynamic when examining love,...

  • The Lais of Marie de France
  • The Nightingale

The Role of Themes and Symbolism in "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall"

In literature, there are many different genres of stories one can read. From fiction to autobiographies, there is something for everyone to enjoy. While stories are enjoyable, sometimes it is important to slow down and look at the deeper meaning(s) behind what the author is...

  • Literary Criticism
  • The Jilting of Granny Weatherall

Leadership Capstone Paper on The Killer Angels Novel by Michael Shaara

After reading The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain stood out the most as a valiant leader who was essential to winning the Battle of Gettysburg for the Union Army. I am going to be discussing Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain’s leadership styles,...

  • The Killer Angels

The Common Theme of Metaphorical Symbolism in The Interlopers, Mending Wall and Our Town

It is not uncommon to come across a story that has a hidden meaning to it. A common meaning between “ Our Town”, “ The Interlopers “, and “ The Mending Wall ” would be the struggle between expectations and individualism. Frost shows us how...

  • Metaphysics

The Rings and the Tempting, Corrupting Nature of Power in Fellowship of the Rings

On September 13, 2005, many players of the MMORPG World of Warcraft found themselves logging in with their characters dead. This epidemic, known as the Corrupted Blood Incident, was linked to a small glitch in the game where players could get a debuff from a...

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Trifles by Susan Glaspell: The Interrelation of Sexist Culture and Law

Society has seemed to have taken it upon itself to define both the limits and expectations for male and females alike. In fact, we have all fallen prey to the recurring stereotypic issues over the centuries, and even still can see an apparent struggle with...

Symbolism of Sexism in Susan Glaspell's Trifles

The theme of sexism is dominant in Trifles since there is a lot of sexual tension between the women and the men. All the characters within the play try hard to discover life's meaning. The suppressed desires in the play explore new feminist theories amongst...

The Beautiful and Meaningful Symbolism in "Inherit The Wind"

Symbolism can found everywhere, majorly of it is in literature. This is used by many authors to provide a deeper meaning to their novels. Numerous symbols can be straightforward while others tend to be tough to find. There are countless amounts of symbols in the...

  • American History

Hidden or Clear: An Analysis of Symbols in Inherit the Wind

Symbols are used to signify something abstract, oftentimes, intangible such as an idea, theme or relationship. It may be difficult to notice these symbols throughout the play, nonetheless, they are still crucial and significant to growth of the plot. In the play Inherit the Wind...

The Representations of the Abstract in Inherit the Wind

A symbol is a concrete thing that represents something that is abstract and something completely different from itself, to show an idea to the story. The play, 'Inherit the Wind' written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, is a magnificence story that shows you...

The Symbolism of Colors in the poem, The Century Quilt

“The Century Quilt” by Marilyn Waniek is a poem that expresses the importance of a quilt she remembers from her life growing up. It describes the memories and feelings that the speaker has towards Meema’s blanket and what the quilt may do for her. By...

The Symbolism of Horses in "All the Pretty Horses"

Freedom can be interpreted into various of meanings. To have freedom is to live in the moment, without regretting the past or anticipating the future. To have freedom can also mean to be in the state of not being subject to or affected by undesirable...

  • All The Pretty Horses

All the Pretty Horses: The Growth of the Characters

All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy is a quest story in which John Grady Cole trades his innocence for experience and finally finds the ‘paradise’ he has always been dreaming of. John Grady Cole does not value the same things as those whom he...

  • Romanticism

Literary Analysis of "In the Time of Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Keywords: In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez, Dominican Republic, Historical fiction, Symbolism, Political oppression, Feminism, Identity The desire for overcoming corruption became a battle for everyone living in those times. The passion that many had and the hope that wasn’t lost kept them...

Creation of Symbolism in Meditative Mandala

It is my dream to pursue my studies in one of the top premier university in Asia which is the Far Eastern University. I feel like being in FEU is my safe place where I can explore myself as a college student and as a...

The Ghosts of Life and Love: Themes in Virginia Woolf’s “A Haunted House”

“When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure”. This common saying does a beautiful job at highlighting the main idea of the short story “A Haunted House” by Virginia Woolf. The story itself is about a ghostly couple who tend to...

  • Virginia Woolf

The Profound Symbolism in Snow Falling on Cedars

In the northwestern United States, there is a small island called 'San Piedro', where the Hastue of the Japanese girl was born. She is graceful, gentle, and hardworking. She and the white boy, Ishmael, grew up together and lived together for a long time. With...

  • Snow Falling On Cedars

The Use and Elements of Symbolism in The Yellow Wallpaper

In one of his most significant essays “Supernatural Horror in Literature”, H. P. Lovecraft analyses the history of weird fiction and the horror genre itself. In this essay, he dictates about the literary genre, claiming that “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear,...

  • Literary Devices
  • The Yellow Wallpaper

Symbolism of the Corruption of Justice in The Visit

In The Visit, author, Friedrich Durrenmatt uses the development of characters and symbolism to raise the questions of corruptibility of Justice “Can Justice Be Bought”? The main characters, Claire Zachanassian, Alfred Ill and the townspeople of Güllen all help the author give us, as audience...

Friedrich Durrenmatt's Use of Symbolism in "The Visit" to Portray the 20th's European Society

This essay will discuss how Friedrich Durrenmatt uses symbols such as the colors yellow and gold, and the effect of money on Guellen and its Justice System to exemplify its corruption and dehumanization. In the play, corruption is shown as more of a gradual change...

  • 20Th Century

Depiction of the Theme of Inevitable Death in The Road By Cormac McCarthy

Death isn't as simple as everyone believes it to be. You don't just go into a deep slumber when you die. Your body remains the same but your mind and consciousness are transported to another home like reality where you go on as if you...

The Use of Symbolism in "The Lady with the Dog", "The Monkey's Paw", and "Lamb to the Slaughter"

Many writers use symbolism in there writing to add more life behind the words. They often use common symbols or uncommon symbols. Pieces of literature from back then use more uncommon symbols then modern works. Symbolism is a figure of speech that is utilized when...

Depiction of Post WAr Trauma in Mrs. Dalloway and Symbolism Used in the Novel

In Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf uses the characters in the novel to represent the different ideologies of British society following World War I. Clarissa is the epitome of repression and denial; she beautifies her world to hide the ugliness of death and pain underneath. At...

  • Mrs. Dalloway

The Use of Symbolism and Imagery for Characterisation in "Fences"

August Wilson chose to write a play known as “Fences” in 1985. “Fences” is a story about a former baseball player that got into some trouble as a teenager and was sent to jail for fifteen years and became a waste management professional (garbage man)....

  • Imagery in Literature

Analysis of the Use of Symbolism in "Ender's Game"

“Literature itself is a species of code. You line up symbols and create a simulacrum of life,” According to Marcel Raymond Theroux, an English novelist, and broadcaster. Symbolism is crucial in the literature to convey meaning in a text and authors frequently use symbolism as...

  • Ender's Game
  • Science Fiction

Racism and Prejudice in Kate Chopin's Desiree's Baby

In Kate Chopin's short story, Desiree's Baby, the author uses symbolism to unveil the racism and prejudice present in society during the 19th century. The story is set in Louisiana, and the plot revolves around the characters Desiree and her husband Armand. At first, everything...

  • Desiree's Baby
  • Kate Chopin

The Implication of Semiotic Features in Selfish Gian by Oscar Wilde

Abstract This writing explains the symbols or signs in a short story, The Selfish Giant, written by Oscar Wilde, to explore the explicit meaning of the text. The writer chooses this short story, because the short story is used to examine students’ reading comprehension. This...

  • Oscar Wilde
  • Selfish Giant

Symbolismin Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart and The Black Cat

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most famous authors in American history. His tightly build, heart-gripping short stories has left everyone impressed and as he is well known for his poetry, he is well know for his prose as well. Symbolism is the most...

  • The Black Cat
  • The Tell Tale Heart

Symbolism in Edgar Allan Poe's Short Story The Black Cat

'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe is one of his most prominent writing that exemplifies his check subjects of death, mercilessness, and haziness. Poe's essential character begins his depiction of his frightful terrible practices. Poe sees them as 'arrangement of negligible family unit occasions'....

  • Edgar Allan Poe

Symbolism of Mist and Personal Beliefs in "Great Expectations"

Symbolism in a text is provided to bring forth the deeper meaning that the author intended to convey. As characters grow and develop, they unlock what the symbolic effect that it may have on then. In the well-known book, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, the...

  • Great Expectations
  • Personal Beliefs

Characters and Symbolism in "The Green Mile" by Stephen King

The Green Mile is a novel written by Paul Edgecombe, Cold Mountains death row supervisor, about a man named John Coffey and his time at the Cold Mountain Penitentiary, in Louisiana, in 1932. Throughout the course of the novel, the protagonist faces many internal and...

  • The Green Mile

Symbolism In 'Oliver Twist' By Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens has written a depressing and intriguing tale called Oliver Twist. The plot is sad, just as the setting is sad. Oliver Twist, the main character, is abused many times by his superiors and caretakers. This book certainly has a twist, the sadness that...

  • Oliver Twist

People's Tendency to Temptation In Poem 'Into the Woods'

In a literal sense, the poem narrates a story of someone who went into the woods in a snowy evening, who stayed a little longer than they should have to view the landscape or scenery in a moment of silence and tranquillity. However, as much...

Symbols And Motifs In 'Hard Times' By Charles Dickens

Symbols or motifs are key elements in various novels and short stories, the use of these elements help depicts other things by offering them a different meaning that is more vivid and deep. In the novel Hard Times by Charles Dickens, there are countless amounts...

Christian Symbolism in “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”

From the advent of the Bible, both religious and Christian concepts have also been used in writing. The historical imagery of the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” published by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1797, has been debated throughout literary history. Scholars have always come up...

  • Christology
  • The Rime of The Ancient Mariner

The Outsiders Directed By Francis Ford Coppola

The Outsiders directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and written by S.E. Hinton depicts the social rivalry between the high school cliques “Greasers” and “Socs.” The Greasers are the lower class, the poor kids from the wrong side of town or mostly know by the designated...

  • The Outsiders

Symbolism of Colours in “Beloved” By Toni Morrison

In the novel “Beloved” Toni Morrison tells the tumultuous story of a freed slave after the civil war. The effects of post-slavery in Beloved is encapsulated by the words of William E. Cross Jr. when depicting treatment for this trauma, “ …makes it a scientific...

The Symbolism of Patience in Sunni Islam

Patience is one of the predominant themes of the Sunni Islamic worldview. The population of Muslims worldwide is close to 1.5 billion. The Sunni, derived from the Arabic word “Sunnah” which means the tradition of the Prophet Mohammad, is that the largest branch of Islam,...

Usage of Symbolism in William Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience

William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience are poems that diverge experience and innocence. Poem 1 is written when the boy was new to the labour and wasn’t used to living in these harsh conditions, meanwhile Poem 2 is when the boy was...

  • William Blake

Symbolism in Bless Me, Ultima

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudalfo Anaya presents a powerful story of this young boy reaching his coming of age and demonstrates the distress caused by the split of two families. Antonio is on a journey of self-discovery and the war between the Márez’s and Lunas...

The Symbolism of Blood in "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

In the novel Bless me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, a numerous amount of symbolism is shown throughout the whole story. The water, the Golden Carp, the Virgin Mary, Ultima’s owl and plenty of others but a very compelling symbol from the novel is blood. Blood...

  • Bless Me Ultima

The Use of Symbolism in "Pan's Labyrinth" by Guillermo del Toro

Pan's Labyrinth is a dark fantasy film of 2006 by Guillermo del Toro. As a student, watching this film really have been a new taste to my preference and as I dug deeper and see through the details of this movie, I noticed few linings...

  • Pan's Labyrinth

Use of Symbolism in Ethan Frome

Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome uses the harsh winter landscape and lack of animal life to depict the ….. of not only Ethan’s marriage to Zenobia, but also the lack of …. in Ethans everyday life. In fact, the wintry landscape is used for more than...

  • Ethan Frome

Mitch Albom's Use of Symbolism in "Tuesdays with Morrie"

In Tuesdays with Morrie there are many symbolizing moments throughout book such as food, Morrie’s bed, the hibiscus plant, and many more. Symbolism is the use of symbols or objects to represent ideas or qualities. In the beginning of the book Mitch brings up a...

  • Tuesdays With Morrie

Symbolism in the Secret Life of Bees

Sue Monk Kidd wrote this particular novel based on a little of her creativity and adolescence years. Where she grew up, in the south, in effect Sue actually had no less than 50,000 honey bees living in her wall of her childhood home. Sue lived...

Symbolism in the Play The Glass Menagerie

In the Glass Menagerie play by Tennessee Williams, he shows three characters face the discordant realities of life. Tennessee Williams, use of symbolism computes depth and better representation to the play. The Glass Menagerie itself is a symbol to display the unsettled lives of Tom,...

The Symbolism of Ambigiutz in Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart

'The Tell-Tale Heart' utilizes an inconsistent storyteller. The precision with which the storyteller describes killing the elderly person, as though the stealthy manner by which they did the wrongdoing were confirmation of their mental soundness, shows their monomania and neurosis. The focal point of consideration...

The Deeper Symbolism and Analysis of Christian Values in Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy is a critically acclaimed Russian novelist who dared to go against the contemporary orthodox ideas of his time in his quest of truth. He was a realist who didn’t believe in conventional norms of romanticization of literature which was prevalent in his time....

  • Anna Karenina

The Use of Ironic Symbolism in Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina"

The novel Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, contains numerous of these motifs and symbols, that may be easy to miss at first. Tolstoy used these motifs in a calculated way and has them appear in the novel throughout. Multiple characters and events that take place surrounding...

Reader's Perspective of the Literary Works

A reader’s perspective of a literary piece is a major component of a writer’s success. A writer uses hidden messages or symbols beneath the morals of the story to allow for the imagination of the audience to be explored. In the play Macbeth, William Shakespeare...

  • Perspective

Usage of Symbolism in The House on Mango Street

You may choose a particular part of your life or event and you may represent your story creatively (as a portfolio, website, blog, media presentation, Ted Talk). Think about ideas of success and inquiry as you represent your childhood, adolescent, or young/adulthood culture. What have...

  • The House on Mango Street

The Symbolism of Death in the Book Thief

A small fact: “you are going to die“ 1939. Nazi Germany: The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier. Liesel a nine-year-old girl is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp....

  • The Book Thief

Symbolism in Philosophical Novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Can you spot any of these common symbols in your novel? What might they symbolize? In The Alchemist, sheep are one of the main symbols throughout the book. Santiago’s sheep symbolize the characters in the novel who are blind to their personal legends. Santiago loves...

  • The Alchemist

Defining the True Light in Different Cultures

What do you think of when you hear or see the word light? For me, that gets interpreted to various meanings ranging from the brightness of an object which enters our eyes to help us see, to all things great when our lives end. The...

Mythology and National Symbolism: Ethnic and National Identity

Prior to 1950s and 60s, ethnicity preserved its original understanding referring to "ethnics" as pagans; it was used in a religious or denominational sense; however, in the 60s and 70s "ethnicity" was used in academics with multiple meanings. Due to different historical heritages, "European audience...

  • Ethnic Identity

Justification of Violence for Reforms in 1984 and V for Vendetta

Both in '1984' and in 'V for Vendetta', vivid symbolism allows the reader to catch the meaningful message hidden behind the words. They include a message addressing society today to think about the dangers of totalitarian societies. 1984 is a novel written by George Orwell...

  • V For Vendetta

Symbolism of Blood as Realization of Guilt in "Macbeth"

The role of blood in Macbeth is full of symbolism and hidden meanings. The mental state of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both greatly deteriorated by the sight of blood. Multiple times throughout the play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth would hallucinate and see blood...

  • Macbeth Guilt
  • William Shakespeare

The In-Depth Film Analysis of Like Water for Chocolate

Like Water for Chocolate is a movie directed by Alfonso Arau in 1992 based on the novel Como Agua Para Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Laura Esquivel is a Mexican writer and screenplay writer. She begins her profession as a screenplay writer, writing plays for the...

  • Like Water For Chocolate

Symbolism in Butler Yeat's Poem Easter 1916

The poem “Easter 1916” written by William Butler Yeats is an extravagant piece that illustrates crippled history. The poem illuminates the Easter uprising in 1916, in which the Irish rose up against the British in a bloody conflict in Dublin that was a catalyst for...

  • William Butler Yeats

Exploration of Symbolism in Younghood in Joyce's Araby

In “Araby”, Joyce portrays the transition of a young boy into adulthood, which makes him aware of the difference between real and ideal life. It describes the mundane routine of the society in which he comes across the various circumstances that, finally, makes him realize...

The Effect of Symbolism in Never Let Me Go

Ishiguro’s novel, Never Let Me Go addresses questions about past, present, and future ethics and morals surrounding technological advancements and specifically, cloning humans. Using a thirty-one year old named Kathy’s recollection, narration is used to display the inevitability of loss in a preparatory school for...

The Common Conception on the Symbolism of Color

Every color has its own meaning and what it stands for, but every person and culture puts on a different meaning depending on the color. One color could mean one thing in one country and something totally different in another, whereas some colors carry out...

The Hunger Game: Dystopian Future

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Best topics on Symbolism

1. “The Catcher in the Rye”: Role of Symbolism in Salinger’s Novel

2. Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies”: The Power of Symbols in Literature

3. Importance and Symbolism of Jaguars in Mesoamerica

4. Theme, Setting and Symbolism in 1984: an Overview of Orwell’s Novel

5. What Does Water Symbolize in T. Morison’s Novel “Beloved”

6. The Southern Gothic Tale In A Rose For Emily

7. Human Strength In A Lesson Before Dying

8. All That Lies In The Necklace 

9. The Role Of Symbolism In “Never Let Me Go” By Kazuo Ishiguro

10. Symbolism of the Peyton Farquhar’s Journey in Ambrose Bierce’s Story An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

11. Use of Symbolism in Flannery O’Connor’s Novel A Good Man Is Hard to Find

12. The Role of Symbolism in the Novel A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

13. The Symbolism and Literary Functions in Milton’s and Donne’s Poetry

14. The Literary Symbolism and Significance in The Red Badge of Courage

15. The Long Way Down: Symbolism of Mandala in the Novel

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

Symbolism essay title picture.

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 examples, 🤿 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.

Symbols 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.

The picture describes a brief symbolism essay outline.

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.

You’ve had a perfect idea of the symbolism essay outline. We’ve also provided you with common symbols in literature. And gave some tips on how to conduct the symbolism analysis.

Check symbolism essay samples we’ve found in a fantastic Free Essay Examples Database .

The Yellow Wallpaper Symbolism Essay

The first book on our list is The Yellow Wallpaper . It’s a great piece of American writing by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The novel is considered a significant literary work of the early feminism period. The book’s themes are profound and thought-provoking: gender roles, self-expression issues, and others.

Pay attention to the meaning of the wallpaper in the story. Its design, color, and the moment when it appeared in the text. Read this Yellow Wallpaper Symbolism Essay and find out which senses the author put behind the objects.

The Great Gatsby Symbolism Essay

One of the most popular novels written by Francis Scott Fitzgerald is famous for its symbolism. Jazz Age, New York, Long Island – today, all these things are the symbols themselves. However, the story has settings worth reading and speaking of.

This Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Essay is worth your attention. Discover the ideas behind the geographical locations and the conflict of East and West. Another great idea is to write an essay about color symbolism in The Great Gatsby.

Lord of the Flies Symbolism Essay

In Lord of the Flies , William Golding actively endows the main characters with recognizable symbolism. Ralph, Piggy, Simon – each character has their meaning and significance. Therefore, there’s much to examine regarding the relationships between them.

Symbolism in Lord of the Flies Essay analyzes Golding’s different levels of symbolic meaning. Read the paper to learn what is hidden behind Piggy’s glasses, the act of pig hunt, and a conch shell.

The Catcher in the Rye Symbolism Essay

Did you know Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye is included in the top-100 world-significant books? The story is about an adolescent boy who denies the surrounding social standards. Salinger put into his novel an impressive number of various symbols.

Among other things, the author of this Symbolism in the Catcher in the Rye Essay discusses the symbolism of the novel’s title. We’ve said before that it’s not necessarily an object that is a hidden symbol, right?

The Lottery Symbolism Essay

Despite being a short story, The Lottery has a definite symbolical meaning. One of the major themes is the character of a scapegoat. It is a story about injustice which got a lot of hate initially. In a while, though, it was admitted to be one of the greatest short stories in American literature.

In this Lottery Symbolism Essay , you can read about the tools used by the author. These techniques make the story unique and full of hidden meanings: the black box, the lottery system, its rules, etc.

A Rose for Emily Symbolism Essay

One of the most American writers, William Faulkner, was excellent at showing unflattering sides of American reality. In this short story, he accomplishes this goal perfectly. We’ll give you a hint – the name of the story is a symbol itself.

What role does a house play in this story? A Rose for Emily Symbolism Essay contains the analysis of essential details. For example, how is the appearance of the house related to the personality of the main character – Emily.

Symbolism in 1984 Essay

The famous novel by George Orwell rounds out our list. It takes its place among the most significant dystopias. The first question that usually disturbs readers is, “What does 1984 mean?” This story about a totalitarian regimentation deserves to be analyzed. Here’s a way to do it.

Symbolism in 1984 Essay uncovers several ideas Orwell put behind the plot. Read the essay to figure which political references appear in the novel. It is a good start to writing a paper since there’s a lot to explore about Oceania, and not only.

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

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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.

American Flag Includes Many Symbols Which Can't Be Seen at First Glance

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.

Anything That Represents an Idea Can Be a Symbol

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.

The Name Buddha Itself Means “One Who Is Awakened”

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.

Literature Presents All the Types of Love in a Very Excitable Way

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.

This Sign Is Used in Relation to People Experiencing Any Form of Oppression to Reject Discriminatory Behavior

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.

Symbols Can Teach You Life Lessons and Show What Is Better for You

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 Eye of Horus (Also Called ‘Wadjet’) Is the Symbol of Power, Protection and Good Health

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.

You Can Use Critical Thinking While Reading for a Better Understanding

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.

For Analysing the Symbols Use Different Sources Like Books, Encyclopedias or Internet

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.

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Essays on Symbolism

Need an outstanding Symbolism essay? We had put together some samples to give you an upper-hand with your project. Before attempting to compose good symbolism essays, establish your understanding of symbolism first. Symbolism is an art movement that captures your attention and evokes your mind with colorful aesthetic visions of beauty. Symbolist paintings do a great job at both, as they often feature bold imagery, which hints at a deeper meaning, planted underneath the hard coat of paint for a curious mind to find. Writing essays on Symbolism is tricky, which is why it is always a good idea to check out some good symbolism essay samples before embarking on this work. However, if the task seems like the one you would like to delegate, we would love to give you a hand with your essay on symbolism.

Allegory and symbolism are some of the most prevalent literary elements in Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown”. Like many writers who advocate for philosophical, moral as well as religious issues, Hawthorne uses allegory and symbolism prevalently due to a number of reasons. Concerning this, one of the reasons both symbolism and...

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This book's significance in world literature This book has been able to retain a significant presence in world literature since its publication in 1948. However, it's crucial to remember that this book has its detractors, particularly those who argue that—due to its violent character as a horror story—it should be taken...

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What is Symbolism? Definition, Examples & Types of Symbolism

good title for an essay on symbolism

by Fija Callaghan

We see symbols around us all the time—our seasonal celebrations are made out of them. We use symbols like bells, Santa hats, and reindeer to symbolize Christmas; jack o’lanterns, bedsheet ghosts, and spiderwebs to symbolize Halloween; and eggs, rabbits, and newborn chicks to symbolize Easter.

We use symbolism to convey meaning to each other through road signs when driving down the road or logos when shopping in the supermarket, too.

It’s the same for symbolism in writing. Generations of storytellers have created a collective archive of symbolic meanings that are recognized the world over. Let’s explore what symbolism is, how to use symbols that already exist in our culture, and how they can help you create a more engaging story.

What is symbolism?

Symbolism is a literary device that uses objects, places, people, or ideas to represent something beyond their literal meaning. Writers use symbolism as a way to draw connections between their characters, their story’s environment, and the events of the plot. Symbols can be things that are universally recognized, or things that are given meaning through the world of the story.

Symbols resonate with us on a deep instinctual level because we’re used to searching for meaning in everyday life around us all the time.

To convey symbolism in a novel or short story, writers use settings, items, or even characters to connect themes and communicate a deeper meaning. A ferocious storm, for instance, can be a symbol for a brewing conflict between two people. An object like a rose that’s beginning to wilt might be a symbol for a couple’s waning passions.

Even a character can be a symbol—for example, the couple’s child might be a symbol for the innocence, hope, and ideals they once had.

We’ll look at other examples of symbolism later on in this article.

What is symbolism? Symbolism is a literary device that uses objects or elements to communicate something beyond their literal meaning.

Types of symbolism in writing

There are two types of symbolism used in literature. Here’s how each type of symbolism works in a narrative.

Universal symbolism

The first is universal symbolism , in which the writer uses symbols that are an inherent part of our cultural language. These concepts can be from myths, histories, religions, or even our day-to-day lives.

For example, most readers will understand that a rose symbolizes love, or that a phoenix symbolizes rebirth, or that a set of scales symbolizes balance. We might recognize figures handed down to us through ancient stories such as the owls that were sacred to Athena, Goddess of wisdom, or bodies of water as a source of spiritual cleansing and restoration. Religious symbolism also falls into this category.

Writers can use this cultural language to give their writing resonance, power, and depth.

Contextual symbolism

The second is contextual symbolism , or things that only have a symbolic meaning within the world the author has created.

For example, in William Golding’s allegory Lord of the Flies , the book’s characters use a large conch shell as a kind of talking stick during group meetings—only the person holding the shell is given a voice. In this instance the conch shell becomes a symbol of civilization, order, and balance. Later, when the shell breaks, it represents the destruction of those very morals that made them human.

We wouldn’t necessarily attribute these meanings to a seashell in our own lives, but the meaning Golding gives the shell in his world becomes clear and powerful because of the place he’s given it in his plot.

Often, contextual symbolism only becomes apparent after your first draft. You can go back and heighten these underlying concepts during your editing process.

Religious symbols are some of the most commonly recognized motifs in social culture.

Is symbolism the same as metaphor?

Symbolism and metaphor are both used to convey feelings and ideas in a creative, vivid way. The difference is that symbolism uses imagery that we recognize either from our own knowledge and experiences or from events within the plot. Metaphor, on the other hand, uses two contrasting ideas to make the reader think about something in a new light.

For example, if you show two people having an argument while the sun sets, we might say that the setting sun is a symbol for the end of a bright and glorious relationship. As a writer, you could use pretty words to dress up this moment (because you can, and because it’s fun), but in truth your readers will already understand what the setting sun is trying to tell them in this moment. They’ve already built up these associations in their mind layer by layer, because they’ve seen this moment before.

They will also understand the significance of the woman’s sweatshirt, the man’s new prescription glasses, the broken locket the woman accidentally leaves behind, because you’ve done the work in showing the contextual symbolism of these things at pivotal moments in your story. The reader will recognize that these seemingly commonplace things are important pieces of a much larger whole. That’s symbolism at work.

On the other hand, if you had one character say that their partner is a fire extinguisher, your reader might need a few minutes to catch up. How is their partner a fire extinguisher? Maybe what the character is really trying to say is that their partner was kinda shiny and cool looking at first, and then they hung out in their kitchen for so long that they sort of forget they were there, but deep down the character knows that if they were ever in real trouble their partner would be there to put out the flames. That’s a metaphor.

Symbolism in literature takes threads that already exist in our understanding of the world and uses them to create powerful, emotionally resonant moments in our stories. Metaphors use two completely unrelated things to communicate an underlying truth.

What’s the difference between symbols and motifs?

Both symbolism and motifs play a similar role in communicating symbolic value with the reader; however, they’re not used in exactly the same way.

A motif is a recurring thematic symbol within a narrative. This means that the same image or the same idea is presented numerous times throughout the plot, helping to support and build upon the themes of the work.

For example, an author writing a book set during World War II might decide to use books as a motif for hope. They could show a soldier reading a beaten up old paperback at night, a burnt and decaying book left behind in an evacuated village, a diary torn to pieces by the story’s villain, and then that same soldier reading a storybook to his children when he finally finds his way home.

On either a conscious or subconscious level, the reader will begin to recognize this pattern as it threads its way throughout the narrative.

Motifs are one specific type of symbolism, but we most often identify symbolism as broader ideas presented at one moment in the story. For example, a sea monster in a nautical adventure novel could be a symbol for the destructive force of avarice, and the unraveling of a ship could be symbolic of stripping away what is unnecessary to begin anew.

Both symbolism and motifs show the reader what is truly being communicated by your story in a subtle, elegant way.

A motif is a symbol that occurs several times in a literary work.

5 examples of symbolism in literature

Symbolism is one of the oldest literary devices in storytelling . Let’s explore some famous examples of how symbolism has been used effectively in literature.

1. Wuthering Heights , by Emily Brontë

Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights draws heavily on its setting to inform its plot, tone, and theme. It’s also filled with layer upon layer of symbolism. The wild landscape of the moors are symbolic of the tempestuous passions of the central characters—and, in fact, the changeability of people as a whole.

The central character, Catherine, expresses her love through the symbolism in the natural land around her: “My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it; I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath a source of little visible delight, but necessary.”

Brontë expands on the symbolism of place by using the two houses where the story is set, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, as symbols. Wuthering Heights is dark, foreboding, solidly built, and set on top of a hill at the mercy of the ferocious forces of nature; Thrushcross Grange is brighter, more delicate, and more inviting. It’s set away from the tempestuous weather of the moors and it gets lots of daylight.

The two houses are symbols for Catherine’s two opposing loves, as well as the two opposing character traits within herself. It’s this internal struggle to balance her wildness with her need for stability that powers the drama of the novel.

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray , by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde’s debaucherous novel The Picture of Dorian Gray shows us what happens when we allow our souls to become corrupted by hedonic impulse.

The protagonist, Dorian, makes a bargain to allow a painting of him to absorb the age, deterioration, and spiritual decay that he would otherwise inflict on himself. Thus the titular portrait in the novel becomes a figurative and literal symbol for depravity and corruption, a visual symbol for the protagonist’s inner self. The worse it gets, the more we see the portrait’s influence affecting his mental state as he spirals into a place he can’t come back from.

Dorian is also given a novel to read, an unnamed yellow book believed to be J .K. Huysmans’ À Rebours (“Against Nature”), a celebration of aesthetic and hedonic sensation above societal constraints. This book makes a lasting impression and serves as something of a scripture as Dorian begins his descent into debauchery and madness.

The yellow book becomes a symbol of the poisonous influence of his friends and the society that he’s become a part of, as well as the rising influence of French culture and decadence of that time period.

Symbols don’t always have one single meaning; they need to be examined through the context of a story.

3. The Great Gatsby , by F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous literary work The Great Gatsby in itself has become one of our most recognizable symbols for decadence, excess, and the Great American Dream.

The book features several symbols and motifs, including a great pair of painted eyes on a wall that are thought to symbolize the eyes of God watching over the degradation of society and the omnipresent commercialism. The novel also prominently features the title character’s enormous mansion, which symbolizes the glory and luxury of the character’s lifestyle and his isolation and loneliness.

The novel also features a bright green light that the character can see across the water, leading Gatsby to the woman he loves. The light symbolizes a goal that’s within view but constantly out of reach: the girl on the other side of the water and the “American Dream” that the protagonist has spent so long aspiring to.

Gatsby believes that by attaining a lavish, comfortable lifestyle, he can finally be worthy of her. Yet despite his leaps and bounds in the material world, his goal, just like the source of the green light, never gets any closer. The repeated use of the green color symbolism in the novel also represents new money and prosperity.

4. Winnie the Pooh , by A. A. Milne

The children’s classic Winnie the Pooh is an interesting study in the way it has come to symbolize growth and belonging for several generations of readers. Several things become prominent symbols within the books, such as the iconic red balloon—because it’s cheerful, lightweight, and can fly, it symbolizes the magic of childhood. Much like childhood, however, the balloon’s flight is also an impermanent form of magic, fragile and easy to break before you’re truly ready.

Some scholars have also made the argument of how each central character symbolizes a particular learning disability or mental illness that can appear early in life, such as ADHD, autism, obsessive compulsive disorder, and depression. While it’s unlikely that A. A. Milne intended these characters to be symbols in such a concrete way (understanding of these disabilities was still very primitive when he was alive), it’s very possible that he created the characters to symbolize certain difficulties that we go through in our childhoods in a friendly, accessible way.

5. Moby Dick , by Herman Melville

A plethora of symbolism can be found in Herman Melville’s magnum opus Moby Dick , a story of survival on the high seas. The White Whale—an impersonal symbol so central to the story that the book was named after it—is thought to symbolize the destructive force of nature and the impossibility of conquering it. This symbol also feeds into themes of fate vs. free will, as the protagonist’s search for the animal brings the characters up against forces completely beyond their control.

The novel also features the construction of a coffin, which, counterintuitively, comes to symbolize hope. The ill man whom the coffin is built for takes comfort from it before he ends up recovering from his illness, and later one of the central characters uses the wooden coffin as a flotation device to keep him alive above the waves.

This is a good example of how you can take a universal cultural concept and use it to create a new meaning within the framework of your plot.

3 ways to incorporate symbolism into your story

When you’re looking for ways to use symbols in your story, you’ll find that there’s an entire treasure trove of imagery and visual language for you to incorporate into your own work. Here are a few of the ways you can find inspiration for your own symbolism.

You can find symbols in your own life and personal history to incorporate into your writing.

1. Look to your history

The stories we grew up with, both real and imagined, are full of symbols. Think about your culture’s traditions: what sort of symbols do you and your family use for births, deaths, and marriages? You can also look to other cultures and to times gone by for inspiration.

For example, in Victorian times there was a lot of romantic symbolism attributed to different plants and flowers—it was possible to send a detailed coded message through an artfully arranged bouquet . There’s an entire language passed down through the ages that you can use to give depth and complexity to your work.

2. Look to the world around you

Think about the things, people, and places you see around you every day. What do they mean to you? Traffic lights, advertisements, and shop displays all contain symbols that have become part of our extended cultural language.

You might see a children’s library using the image of an owl to symbolize wisdom and knowledge, or a realtor using the image of a rising sun to symbolize new beginnings in a new home. See how other people are using symbols such as animals, icons, and colors to communicate something with the world.

These are all universal symbols that your readers will recognize when you use them to show them something about the world of your story.

3. Look to your own experiences

Even though these literary devices are a huge part of our collective understanding, symbolism can also be a very personal, unique experience. For example, if you have a scary memory featuring a certain animal or in a certain place, those things will come to mean something different for you than they might for other people.

You can also develop personal symbolism through positive memories; maybe one of your happiest childhood memories is carving pumpkins with your parents, and so pumpkins for you have come to symbolize family and belonging—even if that isn’t necessarily what they mean to the larger world. You can use these symbols in your writing too.

This is where we get contextual symbolism. The difference between this and universal symbolism is that you’ll have to show your reader why they’re important and why you’re using them to communicate those things. You can do this through your characters —through their memories, the experiences they have, and the way they see the world around them.

You can use your own real memories to tell a fictional story (many writers do this), or you can use your experiences as inspiration to create something new. Maybe instead of a pumpkin, your protagonist used to go looking for seashells with their family along the coast. Now suddenly you can use seashells in your story to symbolize whatever you want, and your readers will understand—because you made it real.

Symbolism brings depth and complexity to your story

We encounter symbolism through the world around us every day, whether that’s from the stories we read, the way companies communicate with us, or the way we subconsciously process our own experiences. By using universal symbols as well as writing symbolism of your own, you can give a greater richness, theme, and emotional resonance to your work.

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Symbolism Definition

What is symbolism? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

Symbolism is a literary device in which a writer uses one thing—usually a physical object or phenomenon—to represent something more abstract. A strong symbol usually shares a set of key characteristics with whatever it is meant to symbolize, or is related to it in some other way. Characters and events can also be symbolic. A famous example of a symbol in literature occurs in To Kill a Mockingbird , when Atticus tells his children Jem and Scout that it's a sin to kill a mockingbird because mockingbirds cause no harm to anyone; they just sing. Because of these traits, mockingbirds in the novel symbolize innocence and beauty, while killing a mockingbird symbolizes an act of senseless cruelty.

Some additional key details about symbolism:

  • Symbolism can be very subtle, so it isn't always easy to identify or understand.
  • It can sometimes be difficult to say whether an author intended for something to be symbolic or not.
  • Symbolism allows writers to convey things to their readers poetically or indirectly rather than having to say them outright, which can make texts seem more nuanced and complex.

Symbolism Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce symbolism: sim -buh-liz-uhm

Types of Symbolism

A symbol can be a physical object, a character, or an event. Here's a brief overview of how each type of symbolism works:

  • Symbolism through physical objects: Most often, physical objects are used to symbolize an idea or concept, as a way of pointing the reader towards some of the basic themes that a work is dealing with. For example, a poet might write a poem about a flower dancing in the wind in order to convey a sense of innocence, harmony with nature, or sheer happiness.
  • Symbolism through characters: Sometimes, characters themselves can serve as symbols—of a particular virtue or vice, or of a political ideology. For example, in Edmund Spenser's famous allegorical poem, The Faeirie Queene , the female knight Britomart is a symbol of the values of chastity and restraint, traits which many 16th-century readers held in high esteem.
  • Symbolism through events: Events can also be symbolic. For example, while a character's long, wild hair might symbolize a period of youth or innocence, a scene in which the character chops off his or her long hair might symbolize a loss of innocence—or the sacrifices people have to make in the process of becoming a mature adult with responsibilities. While the act of cutting off the hair is neither an object nor a character, but it would still be an example of symbolism.

Identifying Symbolism

Writers employ a wide variety of symbols to deepen the meaning of their work. Some symbols, though, are much easier to identify than others. It's worth recognizing the ways that some symbols can be obvious, while others might be less so. For example, sea glass might be used as a fairly obvious symbol in one text, and a more subtle symbol in another:

  • Sea glass as an obvious symbol: If a character in a story gives her son a piece of sea glass just before she dies, and the son then puts the sea glass on a necklace and wears it every day, that's a pretty clear example of something being symbolic: the sea glass represents the son's relationship with his mother, his grief at her passing, or perhaps even the more general concept of loss. In this example, the author might choose to describe how the son plays with his necklace obsessively in order to convey his ever present grief at the loss of his mother—instead of having to state it outright.
  • Sea glass as a less-obvious symbol: If a character in a story delivers a monologue about sea glass in which they explain how something sharp and broken (a shard of glass) becomes smooth and beautiful only through years of being tossed about on the ocean's currents, it might over the course of the story come to be symbolic for the process of growing up or recovering from trauma—but not every reader will necessarily pick up on the symbolism. In this case, sea glass would be an example of a symbol that might be harder to identify as a symbol within the context of the story.

Is a Symbol Purposeful or Not?

In some cases, particularly when a symbol is subtle, it's not always even clear whether the author's use of symbolism is intentional, or whether the reader is supplying their own meaning of the text by "reading into" something as a symbol. That isn't a problem, though. In fact, it's one of the beautiful things about symbolism: whether symbolism can be said to be present in a text has as much to do with the reader's interpretation as the writer's intentions.

Symbol vs. Metaphor

At first glance, symbolism and metaphor can be difficult to distinguish from one another—both devices imbue a text with meaning beyond its literal sense, and both use one thing to represent something else. However, there are a few key differences between metaphor and symbolism:

  • Metaphors compare two different things by stating that one thing is the other (e.g., your eyes are heaven). This doesn't happen in symbolism, where the relationship between a symbol and what it represents is not stated explicitly and one thing is not said to be the other thing. Instead, a symbol stands for or represents something else.
  • Whereas a metaphor is used to compare one thing to another based on shared characteristics, symbols can but don't need to have any characteristics in common with what they represent. For instance, Annie Proulx's story Brokeback Mountain ends with one character taking in the smell of a shirt that was once worn by his lost love. The shirt doesn't have any characteristics in common with the lover—it symbolizes him only insofar as it once belonged to him.

Symbolism and Allegory

An allegory is a work that conveys a moral through the use of symbolic characters and events. Not every work that incorporates symbols is an allegory; rather, an allegory is a story in which the majority of characters and plot developments serve as symbols for something else, or in which the entire storyline is symbolic of a broader phenomenon in society.

For example, the characters in Edmund Spenser's allegorical poem The Faerie Queene are not very complex or deep characters: they're meant to embody virtues or ideas more than they are meant to resemble real people. By contrast, Hester Prynne (the protagonist of Nathaniel Hawthorne's highly symbolic novel, The Scarlet Letter ) exhibits a great deal of complexity and individuality as a character beyond whatever she may symbolize, so it doesn't really make sense to say that The Scarlet Letter is an allegory about adultery; rather, it's a novel that is literally about adultery that has symbolic aspects. In short, all allegories are highly symbolic, but not all symbolic writing is allegorical.

Symbolism Examples

Symbolism is very common is all sorts of narrative literature, poetry, film, and even speeches.

Examples of Symbolism in Literature

Authors frequently incorporate symbolism into their work, because symbols engage readers on an emotional level and succinctly convey large and complex ideas.

Symbolism in Annie Proulx's "Brokeback Mountain"

The following passage from Annie Proulx's short story "Brokeback Mountain" describes a character named Ennis's visit to the childhood home of a lost lover named Jack. There, Ennis finds an old shirt of his nestled inside of one of Jack's shirts.

At the north end of the closet a tiny jog in the wall made a slight hiding place and here, stiff with long suspension from a nail, hung a shirt. He lifted it off the nail. Jack’s old shirt from Brokeback days. The dried blood on the sleeve was his own blood, a gushing nosebleed on the last afternoon on the mountain when Jack, in their contortionistic grappling and wrestling, had slammed Ennis’s nose hard with his knee. He had stanched the blood, which was everywhere, all over both of them, with his shirtsleeve, but the stanching hadn’t held, because Ennis had suddenly swung from the deck and laid the ministering angel out in the wild columbine, wings folded. The shirt seemed heavy until he saw there was another shirt inside it, the sleeves carefully worked down inside Jack’s sleeves. It was his own plaid shirt, lost, he’d thought, long ago in some damn laundry, his dirty shirt, the pocket ripped, buttons missing, stolen by Jack and hidden here inside Jack’s own shirt, the pair like two skins, one inside the other, two in one. He pressed his face into the fabric and breathed in slowly through his mouth and nose, hoping for the faintest smoke and mountain sage and salty sweet stink of Jack, but there was no real scent, only the memory of it, the imagined power of Brokeback Mountain of which nothing was left but what he held in his hands.

Proulx's description of the shirts sounds like it could be a description of the feeling of intimacy shared between lovers: she writes that they are "like two skins, one inside the other, two in one." The shirts symbolize the love the two men shared, but Proulx avoids having to explain Ennis's feelings directly by using symbolism in her description of the shirts, instead.

Symbolism in Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Ozymandias "

In the sonnet "Ozymandias," Shelley uses the story of an encounter with a decaying monument to illustrate the destructive power of nature, the fleetingness of man's political accomplishments, and the longevity of art.

I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal these words appear: "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.

The symbolism in Shelley's poem transforms the half-sunken monument into a powerful representation of the passage of time. The poem reminds readers that natural forces will put an end to the reign of all empires and the lives of every person, whether king or commoner. In the final lines, the poem juxtaposes two very different symbols: the fallen statue, greatly reduced from its former size, and the huge, barren, and unchanging desert. The statue of Ozymandias is therefore symbolic of man's mortality and smallness in the face time and nature.

Symbolism in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

In Chapter Ten of I nvisible Man , the book's protagonist goes to work at the Liberty Paints Factory—the maker of a paint "so white you can paint a chunk of coal and you'd have to crack it open with a sledge hammer to prove it wasn't white clear through"—where he is surprised to learn that the recipe for the brilliant white paint actually calls for the addition of a few drops of black paint. The symbolism of the black paint disappearing into the white is a direct reference to the "invisibility" of black people in America—one of the major themes of Ellison's book.

"The idea is to open each bucket and put in ten drops of this stuff," he said. "Then you stir it 'til it disappears. After it's mixed you take this brush and paint out a sample on one of these." He produced a number of small rectangular boards and a small brush from his jacket pocket. "You understand?" "Yes, sir." But when I looked into the white graduate I hesitated; the liquid inside was dead black. Was he trying to kid me?

Symbolism in Film

Filmmakers often endow particular objects with emotional significance. These visual symbols may shed light on a character's motivations or play an important role later on in the film.

Symbolism in Orson Welles's Citizen Kane

In the closing scene of Orson Welles' Citizen Kane , the camera pans to a sled with the word "Rosebud" printed on it—the same word that is uttered by the newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane on his deathbed. The movie itself portrays Kane's ruthless efforts to consolidate power in his industry. Yet in his final moments, he recalls the sled associated with the happier days of his youth. The "Rosebud" sled can be described as a symbol of Kane's youthful innocence and idealism, of which he lost sight in his pursuit of power. The sled is one of the most famous symbols in all of film.

Symbolism In Speeches

Orators often turn to symbolism for the same reasons writers do—symbols can add emotional weight to a speech and can stand-in for broad themes and central parts of their argument.

Symbolism in John F. Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural Address

In the opening lines of his 1961 inaugural address , President Kennedy claims that his inauguration is the symbol of a new era in American history, defined by both reverence for the past and innovation in the years to come:

We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end as well as a beginning—signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.

Here, President Kennedy argues on behalf of the symbolic significance of his election, suggesting that his Inauguration Day stands for the progress in America that is soon to come. Though it's not an especially subtle use of symbolism, Kennedy's assertion that his first day in office represents the first of many steps forward for America likely had a considerable emotional impact on his audience.

Symbolism in Barack Obama's Speech on the 50th Anniversary of the Selma Marches

In his speech on the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches , President Obama casts the Edmund Pettus Bridge (in Selma, Alabama) as a symbol of American progress and resilience.

The American instinct that led these young men and women to pick up the torch and cross this bridge is the same instinct that moved patriots to choose revolution over tyranny. It’s the same instinct that drew immigrants from across oceans and the Rio Grande; the same instinct that led women to reach for the ballot and workers to organize against an unjust status quo; the same instinct that led us to plant a flag at Iwo Jima and on the surface of the Moon.

In this example, President Obama paid tribute to the activists who were beaten brutally by state troopers after crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge during a 1965 demonstration in Selma, Alabama. Likening their perseverance in the face of police brutality to other prominent examples of American resistance, such as the American Revolution, Obama claims that the demonstrators symbolize a quintessential American trait: a commitment to securing and protecting personal freedom. Thus, in Obama's speech, crossing the bridge can be said to function as a symbol of the long struggle for civil rights.

Why Do Writers Use Symbolism?

It's hard to find a work of literature that lacks any kind of symbolism. Symbolism is an important literary device for creating complex narratives because it enables writers to convey important information without having to state things directly. In addition, the use of symbolism is widespread because it can:

  • Help readers visualize complex concepts and central themes, and track their development.
  • Afford writers the opportunity to communicate big ideas efficiently and artfully.
  • Invite readers to interpret a text independently, rather than be directly told what the author means.
  • Add emotional weight to a text.
  • Conceal themes that are too controversial to state openly.
  • Imply change or growth in characters or themes through shifts in the way that characters interact with particular symbols, or ways in which the symbols themselves change over time.

Other Helpful Symbolism Resources

  • The Wikipedia Page on Symbols : A rather theoretical account of symbolism, which delves into competing definitions of the term that might be more complicated or detailed than is necessary for many readers. Still, the page demonstrates just how pervasive symbolism is in language and thought.
  • Cracked's List of 7 Films With Symbolism You Didn't Notice : Though the author's speculations verge on conspiracy theories at times, at its best, the list demonstrates how artists might use symbols to bury risqué themes in works for popular consumption.
  • The HyperTexts Page on The Best Symbols in Poetry and Literature : The explanations here aren't especially in-depth—certainly not as sophisticated as the symbols they discuss. Still, this is useful as a survey of poems by major writers with examples of concrete, object-based symbolism.

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good title for an essay on symbolism

What Is Symbolism? Reviewing Examples in Literature

good title for an essay on symbolism

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

What Is Symbolism

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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Definition of Symbolism

Symbolism is a literary device that refers to the use of symbols in a literary work. A symbol is something that stands for or suggests something else; it represents something beyond literal meaning. In literature, a symbol can be a word, object , action, character , or concept that embodies and evokes a range of additional meaning and significance.

For example, in his poem “ Fire and Ice ,” Robert Frost utilizes symbolism to indicate to readers how the world may be destroyed:

Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.

In the poem, fire symbolizes destructive and consuming emotions such as jealousy, desire for power , anger, and impulsivity. Ice, in the poem, symbolizes destructive and withholding emotions such as hate, indifference, loneliness, and isolation. Of course, the poet indicates to the reader that the literal meanings of fire and ice make them capable of destroying and ending the world. However, it’s the symbolism of fire and ice that enhances the meaning and significance of the poem.

Common Examples of Symbolism in Everyday Life

Everyday words, objects, and even concepts often have more than a single meaning. Across time, certain aspects of everyday life and experience evolve in meaning and associated significance, making them symbols of something besides what they actually are. Here are some common examples of symbolism in everyday life:

  • rainbow–symbolizes hope and promise
  • red rose–symbolizes love and romance
  • four-leaf clover–symbolizes good luck or fortune
  • wedding ring–symbolizes commitment and matrimony
  • red, white, blue–symbolizes American patriotism
  • green traffic light–symbolizes “go” or proceed
  • tree blossoms–symbolize spring season
  • Pilgrim hat–symbolizes Thanksgiving holiday
  • dollar sign–symbolizes money, earnings, wealth
  • image of shopping cart–symbolizes online purchases

Examples of Types of Symbolism and Their Effects

Writers utilize many types of symbolism, both as a way to convey meaning to their overall readership and as a method of allowing individual readers to make their own interpretations and discover meaning. In addition, different types of symbols create different effects for readers, though the overall goal of symbolism as a literary device is to enhance the reader’s experience with literature.

Here are some examples of types of symbolism and their effects:

  • emotion : symbols often evoke emotional responses in readers, allowing them to invest in the plot and characters. This emotional effect of symbolism also creates a lasting impression for the reader of the literary work.
  • Imagery : symbols can create imagery and provide visual elements that allow readers to understand complex literary themes. This also has a beneficial effect for writers so that they don’t feel an overreliance on language to explain their intended meaning.
  • thematic connection: symbols can connect themes for readers within a single literary work and across literature itself. This allows for greater understanding of literature as an art form.
  • Character attributes: symbols can represent different attributes of characters, both in a literal and figurative sense. This has an effect for readers in that they can identify character traits and understand their actions based on symbolism in the literary work.
  • deeper meaning:  symbolism also allows writers to convey deeper meaning in their work for the reader. This creates a layered effect of understanding so that different readers can find their own individual significance in a literary work, and individual readers can find different levels of significance with each exposure to the literary work.

Famous Examples of Symbolism in Movies

Symbolism is a device utilized by many film artists as well. Symbolism in cinema allows the audience to make connections and understand meaning, adding to both the entertainment and thematic value of a film.

Here are some famous examples of symbolism in well-known movies:

  • white cowboy hat = hero in classic Westerns
  • mockingbird = innocence in  To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Balloons = hopes and dreams in  Disney’s Up
  • feathers = beginnings and endings in Forrest Gump
  • Yellow Brick Road = street paved with gold in  The Wizard of Oz
  • coin toss = fate, chance, free will in  No Country for Old Men
  • Fog = confusion and the unknown in  Apocalypse Now
  • cat = home and belonging in  Breakfast at Tiffany’s
  • doors = separation and transition in  The Godfather
  • deer = prey and vulnerability in  Get Out

Difference Between Symbolism and Motif

Symbolism and motif are both effective literary devices that can appear to be synonymous or interchangeable. However, these devices serve different purposes in literature. Symbolism, as a device, utilizes symbols such that the concept of a word or object represents something beyond its literal meaning. Symbols can be featured singularly or several times in literature. A motif is a recurring element, in the form of an image, phrase , situation, or concept, that is integral to the plot and appears several times throughout a literary work and emphasizes or draws attention to the overall theme .

Examples of Symbolism in Literature

Symbolism is an effective literary device utilized by writers to connect with readers and allow them to actively participate in understanding the deeper meaning of a literary work. Writers use symbolism to evoke emotion, create a sensory experience, and to demonstrate artistic use of language so that words have both literal and figurative meanings. Here are some examples of symbolism in literature:

Example 1:  The Glass Menagerie  (Tennessee Williams)

Yes, movies! Look at them — All of those glamorous people — having adventures — hogging it all, gobbling the whole thing up! You know what happens? People go to the movies instead of moving! Hollywood characters are supposed to have all the adventures for everybody in America , while everybody in America sits in a dark room and watches them have them! Yes, until there’s a war. That’s when adventure becomes available to the masses! Everyone’s dish, not only Gable’s! Then the people in the dark room come out of the dark room to have some adventures themselves — Goody, goody! — It’s our turn now, to go to the south Sea Island — to make a safari — to be exotic, far-off!

In Williams’s play , Tom’s character frequently goes to the movies to escape the monotony and pressure of his life at home with his mother and sister. Therefore, movies offer Tom both a literal and figurative escape from his home, though it is a passive escape in darkness with no true experience of adventure. The movies symbolize Tom’s dreams and fantasies as well as their unattainability and manufactured reality. In this passage, Williams also makes artistic and ironic use of the word “movies” in that the act of going to the movies actually makes Tom feel more stagnant, stuck, and unmoving.

Example 2:  The Lesson  (Toni Cade Bambara)

Miss Moore lines us up in front of the mailbox where we started from, seem like years ago, and I got a headache for thinkin so hard. And we lean all over each other so we can hold up under the draggy ass lecture she always finishes us off with at the end before we thank her for borin us to tears. But she just looks at us like she readin tea leaves. Finally she say, “Well, what did you think of F.A.0. Schwarz?” Rosie Giraffe mumbles, “White folks crazy.”

In Bambara’s short story , the famous New York City toy store F.A.O. Schwarz is a symbol for economic wealth and frivolous spending. Miss Moore’s character, by bringing a group of underprivileged black kids to the toy store, also wants F.A.O. Schwarz to be viewed as a symbol of systemic racial and social division in America as well as monetary separation. By exposing this group of kids to such an outrageously expensive toy store, Miss Moore intends to teach them a lesson and instill a deeper concept of failed American opportunity and equality through the symbolism of F.A.O. Schwarz.

Example 3:  The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

And as I sat there, brooding on the old unknown world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night . Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning—— So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

The color green is a strong motif in Fitzgerald’s novel , used frequently to reinforce the theme of money, wealth, and materialism. The green light across the water from Gatsby’s home does play a role in this color motif; however, Fitzgerald uses the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock as symbolism in the novel. In fact, as the narrator Nick Carraway mentions in the above passage, Gatsby “believes” in the green light because of what he feels it symbolizes.

The light not only represents Gatsby’s future hopes and dreams, especially in terms of his love for Daisy, but the green color of the light symbolizes, to Gatsby, permission to follow and pursue these hopes and dreams. Despite the knowledge that Daisy is a married woman, Gatsby views the green light as guidance and a signal to proceed with his futile quest to win Daisy.

Related posts:

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  • The Great Gatsby Symbolism
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  • Examples of Symbolism In Christianity
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Essays on Symbolism

2326 samples on this topic

Does your writing assignment involve the discussion of symbolism? Then, you will benefit enormously from our symbolism essay sample base. Political, literary, erotic, ideological, and organizational – these are only a few conceptions of symbolism you can find in our free examples.

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Introduction

Nordstrom, Inc. is the company of interest in this discussion. Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale retailer native to America that sells brand name and private label accessories and apparel merchandise. Initially, the founders started the company in 1901 as a shore store. Since then, the company has grown tremendously, and is now offering a variety of products and services beyond shoes including fragrances, cosmetics, and jewelry. Throughout this report, Nordstrom’s brief background, financial overview, business sector, target market analysis, business operations as compared to competitors, as well as strategies to sustain the business will be discussed.

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The Mind of Bill Porter > Blog > Topics > Good Titles For Essays About Symbolism – 784676

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Good Titles For Essays About Symbolism

How to Title Your Literary Analysis | Synonym Good literary essay titles not only capture your reader's interest, but they also For example, an essay about the symbolic villages of East and West Egg in "The How to Write a Creative Title for My Essays |…You may not be selling your essay , but you still want it to have a title that will draw in your reader. A good title is one that sparks the reader's attention, tells the Some Tips on Titling Your Essay – Writing in the…A good title can help another researcher locate your essay in a database if it were published. Metaphor and Biblical Symbolism in Anne Caston's “Anatomy”.How to Find an Effective Title for My Essays | The…Your title must clarify the topic of the essay without giving . The first title that comes to mind may not be the best possible title . For instance, if your essay analyzes symbolic elements relating to death in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," Free symbolism Essays and Papers – 123HelpMe.comFree symbolism papers, essays , and research papers. Title , Length, Color Rating .. Colors and Symbolism in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald How to Find a Catchy Title for Your…30 Jun 2015 Keep in mind good titles never state the obvious or contain generic terms or phrases. Titles like “ Paper on 1950s China” or “Report on How are you titling your paper ? – EasyBibSome people prefer to title their paper once they've finished writing the body of it. The title , “A Discussion of Symbolism in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's  Symbolism Essay Examples: free Samples -…Free Examples of Symbolism essays . Symbolism essay samples. Symbolism in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald Another symbol of F. Scott Fitzgerald's GET YOUR A+ PAPER WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONALS. + FREE. title page Essay on Symbolism | Custom Essays , Term Papers,…18 Feb 2009 Henry James found the symbolism in the Scarlet Letter very repetitious. James states that, “In The Scarlet Letter there is a great deal of Free sample – Symbolism of The Yellow Wallpaper -…It is worth of note that the symbolism in the story is presented by the author as I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good .The Things They Carried What's Up With the Title ? -…You got it: "The Things They Carried" is the title of the first short story in the book, and therefore O'Brien chose it as the title of that book. Done. As we're sure The Crucible What's Up with the Title ? -…Seems like a pretty good metaphor for the violent hysteria that the little village of Salem contained during the witch trials. With all those folks jammed together in Fences What's Up With the Title ? – ShmoopFences looks like a simple title , but by the time you get to the end to the play, you Of course, this fence is much more than just a fence – it's a complex symbol  The Secret Life of Bees What's Up With the Title ? -…Analysis · Symbolism , Imagery, Allegory · Setting · Narrator Point of View · Genre Flashcards · Best of the Web · Write Essay · Lit Glossary · Table of Contents Color Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The… Title : Color Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" In this paper , I will concentrate on analyzing Fitzgerald's use of colors as symbols and thus try 

The Significance of the Title to Kill a Mockingbird…

7 May 2011 Free Essay : He is innocent of all of the claims and stories made up about him. he could, but tried to help them as best he could without being seen or noticed. . Essay on Symbolism of Mockingbirds in To Kill a Mockingbird. Good Titles For Essays About Foreshadowing – 113731 –…5 days ago Home > Topic > Good Titles For Essays About Foreshadowing – . great title designer in cinema. . of the opera, with Carmen's symbolic red  Essay . Discuss the Significance of the Title in…2 Jun 2011 Essay . Discuss the Significance of the Title in “Fences” by August Wilson In the play “Fences” has a symbolic meaning reflecting social and Also, the title conveys the strong sense of actuality and certainly it is good to be in What is the significance of the title To Kill A…The title refers to innocent people like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley who, like the mockingbird, only wish to bring a little happiness into a  Paper Title (use style: paper title ) -…The various components of your paper [ title , text, heads, etc.] are already defined on . Please embed all fonts, in particular symbol fonts, as well, for math, etc.What Is The Significance Of The Title A Rose For Emily -…While a rose is symbolic of life, Emily's home "smelled of dust and disuse– a close, dank smell." And Emily herself is described as "a small, fat woman in black.Lord of the Flies Symbolism : 3 Ideas for Your Essay …11 Nov 2015 Lord of the Flies Symbolism : 3 Ideas for Your Essay . Whichever way you cut it, these symbolism examples will give you a good starting point.Literary Analysis – ThesisA thesis in a literary analysis or literary research paper can take many forms. A good thesis is specific, limited in scope and offers a perspective or nonfiction as expressed in the work: character, plot, structure, idea, theme, symbol , style, In ( title of work), (author) uses (an important part of work) as a unifying device for ( Critical Essay The Secret Sharer" as…The most famous literary allegory in English is John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress (1678), where symbolic characters (with names such as Christian, Evangelist, SparkNotes: The Good Earth: Themes, Motifs &…Description and explanation of the major themes of The Good Earth. This accessible literary criticism is perfect for anyone faced with The Good Earth essays , papers, tests, exams, or for These ideas about the earth give the novel its title .SparkNotes: The Monkey's Paw: Themes, Motifs, and…This accessible literary criticism is perfect for anyone faced with The Monkey's Paw essays , papers, tests, exams, or for anyone who needs to create a The Choosing Your Dissertation Title – Dissertation…and read, it is worth spending a great deal of time to give a favorable first impression A dissertation title is different from a research paper title in that it must not [compelling title ]: An analysis of symbolism in Orwell's Animal Farm [indicative.The Stranger Thesis Statements and Important Quotes Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #1 : The Significance of the Title of The Stranger you great ideas for an essay by offering quotes about other themes, symbols , writing – Is it mandatory to include the registered trademark…27 May 2014 Formally, yes, registered names should have the appropriate symbol listed (usually a superscript "R" or "TM"). However, in common usage, The Symbolism in Young Goodman Brown…The Symbolism in Young Goodman Brown essaysThe Symbolism in "Young The title character is consumed by this knowledge and withdraws from life.Formatting Your Paper – Capital Community CollegeThere are nearly as many different possible formats for writing a paper as there If you can't think of a good title , it might mean that your paper has no real focus.

Symbol – Wikipedia

A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an Personal names are symbols representing individuals. the effect of a symbol on the psyche, in his seminal essay The Symbol without Meaning It seems to me perfectly clear that all the great and little symbolical systems of the ENG 1002: Sample Student Essay – IVCC6 Jun 2013 Sample Student Essay on Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown" suspenseful story but also see the many forms of symbolism the author uses. Although Goodman Brown attempts to keep his good faith when he sees the 'The Catcher in the Rye' – the Importance of the…7 Aug 2017 Titles often have great significance and the title of J. D. Salinger's only "Comin' Thro the Rye," a Robert Burns poem and a symbol for the  Symbolism In The Great Gatsby – Essay -…Discuss F. Scott Fitzgerald's use of the symbols throughout the novel, supporting your answer with reference to the text. Symbols play a huge role in the Great  Significance of the Title Heart of Darkness -…Another hidden meaning is, the title stands for the darkness or the Psychologically, Kurtz is the symbol of everyman's darkness which is veiled under the 10 STEPS ON HOW TO WRITE AN “A” PAPER A good conclusion will summarize the main points of the paper . The symbol is to denote fair and equal justice for justice is to be truly blind and . After doing this, all you need to do is switch the authors' names (i.e. place the last name first) Word template – Science Title : How to Format a Science Paper (replace with your real title ). Authors: The Use superscript numbers to link affiliations, and symbols *†‡ for author notes. Symbolism in "The Chrysanthemums" – Lone Star…Steinbeck uses chrysanthemums as symbols of the inner-self of Elisa and of every These pests represent natural harm to the flowers, and, just as any good  Guide to Writing Research Papers in MLA StyleUnderline (or italicize) titles of books, plays, pamphlets, periodicals Place within quotation marks newspaper/magazine articles, essays in a book, songs, Rebecca Peacey states in The Art of the Short Story that, to write good fiction, of stale metaphor, cliched symbolism , and predictable twists of irony in his short stories Research paper topics about Literary Themes and Topics |… Gender Roles in Literature · Good and Evil (Theme in Children's Literature) · Hellenism and Literature · Hero in Literature · Holocaust Literature · Holy Grail in When and how should trademark symbols be used in writing…31 May 2012 Should I use the symbols when I mention a competitor brand, or only for my brand? Do I use the symbols in both the title and the body copy?Footnotes and other references – Footnote indicatorsE. Footnotes indicated by asterisks and other symbols After the title or submitter of a technical paper for a conference or intergovernmental body to identify the Dexter (2006) — Art of the Title 27 Sep 2010 Why does Dexter's title sequence fascinate us to the point that we watch it . idea has potential, just get them out on paper and deal with them later. That gave me a good week or two of uninterrupted, solitary editing time.Guidelines for Formatting Gene and Protein Names 30 Jan 2014 The use of standard gene names and symbols is often specifically Therefore, it is good practice to provide the full gene or protein name 

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  1. Shakespeare’s Brilliant Use of Symbolism Essay Example

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  2. Symbolism: Definition and Examples of Symbolism in Speech & Writing • 7ESL

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  3. 💣 Strong titles for an essay. How to Title an Essay: Tips and Examples

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  4. Symbolism in Lord of the Flies: William Golding Essay Example

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  5. Symbolism Essay: Writing Guide, Outline, The Yellow Wallpaper Symbolism

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  1. 100 Symbolism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    The current essay discusses the implementation of symbolism in A Good Man is Hard to Find and its effects on the narrative. Description of "Symbolism" Architecture from the Past Built in the 1880's, the Eiffel Tower became the symbol of Paris and in the 1990's, the Spanish city of Bilbao became a centre of attraction because of the ...

  2. 126 Symbolism Essay Topics & Research Titles at StudyCorgi

    Symbolism in "The Road Not Taken" by Frost. Symbolism in "Araby" Short Story by James Joyce. Symbolism, Setting, Irony in Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants". Symbolism in Wuthering Heights. Robinson Crusoe's Symbolism and Footprint. We will write a custom essay on your topic tailored to your instructions! 308 experts online.

  3. 107 Symbolism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    Author: Matthew Ramirez. Published: Jan 25, 2024. Inside This Article. Symbolism is a literary device that authors use to convey deeper meanings in their work. By using objects, characters, and events to represent abstract ideas or themes, writers can add layers of complexity and depth to their stories. In this article, we will explore 107 ...

  4. Free Symbolism Essays and Papers

    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. ... Good vs Evil, Greed, Pearl, Symbol, Symbolism, Symbols of the pearl changes, Wealth . 20

  5. How to Write a Symbolism Essay

    Try re-reading the first part of a piece after completing it in order to identify possible recurring motifs. Try using the rule of three: if an image occurs three times in a piece, it is likely a source of symbolism. Learn how to interpret symbols to ace your English class with a stellar essay. Flickr.

  6. Symbolism Essays: Samples & Topics

    Symbolism of the Peyton Farquhar's Journey in Ambrose Bierce's Story An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge. 11. Use of Symbolism in Flannery O'Connor's Novel A Good Man Is Hard to Find. 12. The Role of Symbolism in the Novel A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. 13. The Symbolism and Literary Functions in Milton's and Donne's Poetry. 14.

  7. Symbolism Essay: Writing Guide, Outline, The Yellow Wallpaper Symbolism

    In this article, we will discuss the keys to a good symbolism essay. You should know many nuances to master this type of writing. We will write a custom paper for 11.00 9.35/page based on your instructions. 568 certified writers online. ... The symbolism of the title in Fences by August Wilson.

  8. How to Write a Symbolism Essay: Identify & Analyze Symbols

    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 ...

  9. Free Essays on Symbolism, Examples, Topics, Outlines

    We had put together some samples to give you an upper-hand with your project. Before attempting to compose good symbolism essays, establish your understanding of symbolism first. Symbolism is an art movement that captures your attention and evokes your mind with colorful aesthetic visions of beauty. Symbolist paintings do a great job at both ...

  10. How to Use Symbolism in Your Writing

    Here's how to use symbolism to enrich your own writing: 1. Begin with story and characters. In your first draft of a novel, short story, play, or other creative writing endeavor, focus primarily on creating a compelling main character and placing them in an engaging story. Don't preoccupy yourself with different symbols at this stage, lest ...

  11. The Usage of Symbolism in Essay Writing, a Guide

    Vendy Adams • 21 April, 2021. When writing fictional literature, symbolism is a device often used by authors; where something tangible, an object, animal, or person, is used to represent a specific idea or entity. Symbolism can be used as a means of spicing up your text and engaging your readers; it's particularly useful in essay writing.

  12. What is Symbolism? Definition, Examples & Types of Symbolism

    Symbolism is a literary device that uses objects, places, people, or ideas to represent something beyond their literal meaning. Writers use symbolism as a way to draw connections between their characters, their story's environment, and the events of the plot. Symbols can be things that are universally recognized, or things that are given ...

  13. Symbolism

    Symbolism through physical objects: Most often, physical objects are used to symbolize an idea or concept, as a way of pointing the reader towards some of the basic themes that a work is dealing with. For example, a poet might write a poem about a flower dancing in the wind in order to convey a sense of innocence, harmony with nature, or sheer ...

  14. Symbolism Definition and Examples in Literature

    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 ...

  15. Symbolism

    Here are some common examples of symbolism in everyday life: rainbow-symbolizes hope and promise. red rose-symbolizes love and romance. four-leaf clover-symbolizes good luck or fortune. wedding ring-symbolizes commitment and matrimony. red, white, blue-symbolizes American patriotism. green traffic light-symbolizes "go" or proceed.

  16. Symbolism Essays: Examples, Topics, & Outlines

    View our collection of symbolism essays. Find inspiration for topics, titles, outlines, & craft impactful symbolism papers. Read our symbolism papers today! Homework Help; Essay Examples; ... The fruit was not all good -- not all the words of the poems were worth keeping, perhaps, and those that were edited out "struck the earth…went surely ...

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  18. Symbolism Essay Examples

    Then, you will benefit enormously from our symbolism essay sample base. Political, literary, erotic, ideological, and organizational - these are only a few conceptions of symbolism you can find in our free examples. Study our writing carefully to learn how the use of objects or words to signify an abstract idea has become the principal ...

  19. Symbolism Essay Examples

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  20. Topic: Good Titles For Essays About Symbolism

    Title: Color Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" In this paper, I will concentrate on analyzing Fitzgerald's use of colors as symbols and thus try. The Significance of the Title to Kill a Mockingbird…. 7 May 2011 Free Essay: He is innocent of all of the claims and stories made up about him. he could, but tried to help them ...

  21. Good Titles For Essays About Symbolism

    Good Titles For Essays About Symbolism. Your Price: .40 per page. Academic Level. A standard essay helper is an expert we assign at no extra cost when your order is placed. Within minutes, after payment has been made, this type of writer takes on the job. A standard writer is the best option when you're on a budget but the deadline isn't ...