LANGUAGE ARTS 10
SYMBOLSIM IN HOUSE ON MANGO STREET
Name: ________________________________________________ Date:____________
A symbol in a piece of literature is an object or image (or sometimes person)
that functions literally in the story and also stands for some abstract idea. Usually,
an object/image or person will recur throughout a piece if it is a symbol. (If there is
only one instance of when the object/image or person is mentioned, the
object/person may be part of a metaphor, rather than an actual symbol).
There are two main types of symbols: universal symbols and personal
symbols.
 Universal symbols are ones that are and have been used by many authors
throughout time and over cultures. They are easily recognizable. These are
sometimes called archetypes. Examples of universal symbols that are
objects/images include light/dark representing good/evil; spring/summer
representing youth; fall/winter representing old age or death; a snake
representing the devil; the moon representing inconstancy; fire representing
passion/anger; etc. Examples of universal symbols that are people include an
old man/woman representing wisdom; a bride representing purity; a
baby/child representing innocence; etc.
 Personal symbols are ones that are personal to the author and the piece of
writing in which they are used. (Note: a personal symbol does not refer to
something YOU think is a symbol, but nobody else does!)These types of
symbols tend to be harder to recognize and harder to interpret. The author
must develop them over the course of their text. An example of a personal
symbol in literature is how Melinda’s art project in Speak came to represent
her self-image, or how the conch shell in Lord of the Flies came to represent
leadership/power.
o Universal symbols can become personal symbols if an author “tweaks”
them to fit their purpose. For example, an author may take a symbol
that is usually negative (like the snake) and purposefully change it into
something positive in a story—just to mix things up a little!
When analyzing symbols, it is important to keep the following in mind:
Be sure what you think is a symbol is actually a symbol. Remember, a symbol
should have several references throughout a piece of literature. If something
only has one reference, it probably isn’t a symbol. Also, it should be
something most people will pick up on—not something only you “get.” This is
tricky for the novice symbol analyzer, so for beginners, it is probably best to
stick to universal symbols.
 Remember the object/image or person must consistently represent the same
abstract idea. For example, if the author is using a rose as a symbol, the rose
can’t represent love in one place and then sorrow someplace else!
 Finally, the actions/associations of the object/image in the piece of literature
must be consistent with the abstract idea it represents. For example, a shark


could possibly be a symbol of death or cold-hearted killing. (Think about the
sharks in Old Man and the Sea. Haven’t read it? Ok, think Jaws.) However,
the shark Lenny in Shark Tale would NOT be a symbol of death because he is
a nice Shark that tries to save the poor shrimp, etc. His actions in the movie
aren’t consistent with the idea of death. Or another example is if, instead of
holding a conch shell, the boys in Lord of the Flies had to put a pretty flower
behind their ear whenever they wanted to talk, it wouldn’t work well as a
symbol because the associations people have with flowers are not consistent
with power/leadership.
Symbols are open to some interpretation; but you can identify symbolism
incorrectly!
Directions: Below is a list of symbols in House on Mango Street. If the symbol could
be a universal symbol, what it usually represents is noted. For each symbol, complete
the chart.
Symbol
Universal
Meaning
This symbol is
used in the
universal
sense
This symbol is
used in a
personal way,
not in the
universal
sense