Literary SymbolsLiterary Symbols

SymbolSymbol An object that stands for or An object that stands for or

represents something elserepresents something else We see certain symbols without We see certain symbols without

having to think about what they having to think about what they meanmean

Symbols in Literature:Symbols in Literature: A person place, or thing within a A person place, or thing within a

piece of literaturepiece of literature Stands for something other than Stands for something other than

itselfitself Associated with an idea Associated with an idea not not

closely related to the object itselfclosely related to the object itself NotNot always obvious always obvious

How to spot a symbol in a storyHow to spot a symbol in a storyNot Not everythingeverything in literature can be a symbol. in literature can be a symbol. That would get really confusing.That would get really confusing.

An object that reappears or is referenced more An object that reappears or is referenced more than once in a story is often a symbolthan once in a story is often a symbol

It is referenced in the titleIt is referenced in the title

It seems out of placeIt seems out of place

Interpreting what they meanInterpreting what they mean

Sometimes a symbol represents something that Sometimes a symbol represents something that looks similar to itlooks similar to it The Grim Reaper (Skull—looks like death, symbolizes The Grim Reaper (Skull—looks like death, symbolizes

death)death)

More often, a symbol represents something that More often, a symbol represents something that acts like it: acts like it: Justice represented as…Justice represented as… Freedom represented as…Freedom represented as… The heart often represents…The heart often represents…

On-the-spot symbol analysis:On-the-spot symbol analysis:

• Look at the following Look at the following images. images.

• Explain:Explain:• 1) What idea they represent1) What idea they represent• 2) How they work as a 2) How they work as a

symbolsymbol

The counterpoint—What do you The counterpoint—What do you think?think?

““There isn't any symbolism. There isn't any symbolism. The sea is the sea. The old The sea is the sea. The old man is an old man. The boy man is an old man. The boy is a boy and the fish is a is a boy and the fish is a fish.”fish.”

--Ernest Hemingway, speaking Ernest Hemingway, speaking about his classic novel about his classic novel The The Old Man and the Sea.Old Man and the Sea.