Symbolism
Definition of symbol from Kennedy’s An Introduction to Fiction: “a person, place, or
thing in a narrative that suggests meanings beyond its literal sense” (Kennedy 833).
Alternate definition from Perrine’s Story and Structure: “A [literary] symbol is
something that means more than what it is. It is an object, a person, a situation, an
action, or some other item that has a literal meaning [in the story] but suggests or
represents other meanings as well.”
Examples:
A throne:
 literal meaning—chair for king
 figurative meaning—power of the king
Heavy Books (in The Crucible)
 literal meaning—scientific literature regarding witchcraft
 figurative meaning—characterization of Hale’s authority and the respect that others
have for him, but also the heavy burden the witch hunt thrusts upon the Salem
village.
Aside from being things, symbols may be actions, characters, settings, or names.
A symbolic action—the old man drinks in a “clean, well-lighted place”:
 literal meaning—the old man takes a beverage
 figurative meaning—many possess and desire to escape feelings of despair,
loneliness, and angst
A symbolic character—makes brief cameo appearances and often are not well-rounded
or fully known, but are seen fleetingly and remain slightly mysterious” (244).
Death in “Godfather Death”—“
 literal meaning—Death is a character in the tale
 figurative meaning—Death (the figure) represents death (the event)
Points to Remember When Identifying Symbols:
1. There is usually no single, definitive figurative meaning for a symbol. It usually has
an “amplitude of meanings” (243). However, make sure that you do not assign too
many meanings to a symbol. A symbol does not usually mean just one thing; nor does
it mean everything.
2. Don’t be vague when interpreting a symbol; rather, be specific. You can often
achieve this by noting exactly what is associated with the symbol in the text.
3. Avoid becoming “symbol happy.” Not everything in a text is symbolic.
4. How do you determine what is symbolic? Authors often place symbols in positions
of emphasis—beginnings, endings, and titles, for example. Also, symbols often tend to
appear repeatedly in a work.
5. If something is symbolic, it often contributes to the establishment of theme.
Why do writers use symbols?
--A symbol is “compact, and yet so fully laden. . . . What [a] symbol says, it says more
fully and more memorably than could be said, perhaps, in a long essay on the subject”
(Kennedy 245).
-- A symbol is multi-valued. For example, it may advance plot at the same time it
illustrates theme and character. For example, in The Crucible, the poppet symbolizes
Elizabeth’s ultimate condemnation and the extent to which (pun intended) Abigail will
go to gain John’s affection, yet at the same time it represents witchcraft.
The Scarlet Letter—Symbolism Analysis
Directions: For this week’s reading, choose one symbol that seems to be
important. Provide at least 1-2 quotes (typed in MLA format) and write at least
3-5 sentences of commentary explaining how the symbol is used in the novel
(Look very closely at how the author incorporates the symbol—in relation to
characters, setting, conflict, etc.) If you choose do research, please provide the
information for the source you cite.
Suggestions for Symbol Analysis
Rosebush
Flowers
Snake
Balcony
Weed
Shadows—day and night—light or the
lack of it
The scaffold
The letter A
Prison
Cemetery
Brook
Leech
Colors—red, black, green
Character Names