Last Literary Device
before the Quiz!
First: what
is a symbol?
A symbol is…
In literature, symbols are often
characters, settings, images, or other
motifs that stand in for bigger ideas.
Authors often use symbols (or
“symbolism”) to give their work more
meaning and to make a story be about
more than the events it describes.
Symbols can be:
an object representing something,
often something immaterial;
emblem, token, or sign
a letter, figure, character or
marking (like a graphic)
example
Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
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Harry's scar is symbolic of his bravery and survival. However, it also
symbolizes his connection to Lord Voldemort and how he must
continuously choose the good, brave path.
Albus Dumbledore’s name is a symbol of his personality. For example,
Dumbledore means “bumblebee” in Old English and he liked to hum.
Also, Albus means "white," which may symbolize a white wizard or
good wizard.
The Golden Snitch symbolizes the spiritual enlightenment every
“seeker” aims for.
Knockturn Alley is a symbol of darkness and evil. Doesn’t the name
alone sound like nocturnal? To no surprise, the Dark Arts are
practiced in this alley at night.
Symbolism
-video!
-video!
Difference between symbols and metaphors:
There is no comparison in a symbol
while comparison is the central idea
behind metaphor. A metaphor tries to
explain a concept to make for a better
understanding
Example: a ballerina is a butterfly is a
metaphor while using the image of a
butterfly for a ballerina is a symbol
Symbol Metaphor
Image
-
Means only
what it is
-
“A shaggy dog
running
through the
mud”
Literally only
-
Means what it is
and something
more, too
-
“You can’t teach
an old dog new
tricks”
Literally, an old
dog and Figuratively,
someone who is set
in their ways
-
Meaning
something
other than
what it is
-
“A dirty dog
stole my
wallet”
Figuratively only,
not actually a dirty
dog, but giving
characteristics of
the thief who stole
More info:
1.
"a symbol is used more consistently and widely than a metaphor"
2. "a metaphor is a statement (even if implied), whereas a symbol
need not be a statement" (Doty). Note also that metaphors
become "dead" with repetition, while symbols gain in power and
meaning with repetition.
1. "A metaphor is a statement that means something different, or
more, than its literal meaning. A symbol has complex meaning; it
has not only literal, but also additional meaning(s) beyond the
literal. Sometimes the literal meaning of a symbol is absurd, so
that the symbolic meaning over-rides and cancels out the literal
meaning" (Doty).
From:
symbolism
activity