SYMBOLISM
Where Do We Get Symbols?
What does each of these symbols stand for? Why
do you think they have taken on the meanings
they have?
justice
love
luck
Symbols in Literature
Writers use symbols to
• suggest layers of meaning that a simple, literal
statement could never convey
• speak more powerfully to the reader’s
emotions and imagination
• make their stories rich and memorable
What Is a Symbol?
A symbol is an ordinary object, event, person, or
animal to which we have attached a special
meaning.
HENRY FUSELI
DAVID FRIEDRICH
GUSTAVE MOREAU ODILON REDON
• Symbolism is a 19th-century movement in which art
became infused with exaggerated sensitivity and a
spooky mysticism. It was a continuation of the Romantic
tradition, which included such artists as John Henry
Fuseli and Caspar David Friedrich.
•
The leading Symbolists included Gustave Moreau, Puvis
de Chavannes, and Odilon Redon.
What Is Symbolism in
Literature?
Symbolism is when the author uses an object or
reference to add deeper meaning to a story.
Symbolism in literature can be subtle or obvious,
used sparingly or heavy-handedly. An author
may repeatedly use the same object to convey
deeper meaning or may use variations of the
same object to create an overarching mood or
feeling. Symbolism is often used to support a
literary theme in a subtle manner.
What Are Some Examples of Symbolism?
•
•
•
•
The following are common symbols used in literary
works:
Symbols referring to damnation: Fire, flames, heat,
hot temperatures
Symbols referring to salvation: Crosses, angels,
haloes, clouds, churches
Symbols referring to reincarnation or reinvention:
Phoenix rising from flames, crosses, rainbows, passing
storms, dawn, sunrise, broken chains
Symbols referring to death or endings: Gravestones,
cemeteries, Grim Reaper, Day of the Dead, skulls,
candle blowing out, coffin, ringing of bell
How Do Writers Use Symbolism?
Writers insert symbols into their writing to allude
to a feeling, mood or attitude without directly
stating the perspective or mood intended.
Symbolism is supplemental to the story.
• Encourage your students to try using symbolism
to supplement their work as they write short
stories or poetry. Help them weave the symbols
into the stories so that the symbols support the
story line and mood, rather than sticking out like
an obvious literary device.
Precursors and origins
• Symbolism was largely a reaction against naturalism and
realism, anti-idealistic styles which were attempts to
represent reality in its gritty particularity, and to elevate
the humble and the ordinary over the ideal. Symbolism
was a reaction in favour of spirituality, the imagination,
and dreams. Some writers, such as Joris-Karl
Huysmans, began as naturalists before becoming
symbolists; for Huysmans, this change represented his
increasing interest in religion and spirituality. Certain of
the characteristic subjects of the decadents represent
naturalist interest in sexuality and taboo topics, but in
their case this was mixed with Byronic romanticism and
the world-weariness characteristic of the fin de siècle
period.
Techniques
• The symbolist poets wished to liberate techniques of
versification in order to allow greater room for "fluidity",
and as such were sympathetic with the trend toward free
verse, as evident by the poems of Gustave Kahn and
Ezra Pound. Symbolist poems were attempts to evoke,
rather than primarily to describe; symbolic imagery was
used to signify the state of the poet's soul. T.S. Eliot was
one of these poets, although it has also been said that
'Imagism' was the style to which both Pound and Eliot
subscribed (see Pound's Des Imagistes). Synesthesia
was a prized experience; poets sought to identify and
confound the separate senses of scent, sound, and
colour.
• Symbolism is a typical element of
literary fiction. Authors include
symbolism in their work to give it
deeper meaning, using figurative
language and description.
• Symbolism is the implied or
interpreted being of an object or
ritual found in writing, art and
customs.
PREPARED BY :
HARUN ZİYA UÇAR:
1011216038
SİBEL YILMAZ
1011216031