SYMBOL IN LITERATURE

DR. HUSNIAH SAHAMID

Symbols – some definition

• A symbol is a sign• further layers of meaning • a symbol means more than it literally says

• http://web.mst.edu/~gdoty/classes/concepts-practices/def-symbols.htmlre literal - symbols are not!.

General symbols

• Religious symbols• Political symbols

Symbol - Defn • a word or object that stands for another word or object

• object or word can be seen with the eye or not visible

• Ex. a dove stands for Peace.

• The dove can be seen and peace cannot.

Symbol- Defn

• Something that represents something else by association,

• resemblance, or convention• especially a material object used to represent

something invisible.

Literature - Symbols

• provide meaning to the writing beyond what is actually being described

• plot and action thought of as one level,• symbolism of certain things• act on another level to enhance the story.

Classic examples

• Adam and Eve: when Eve ate the apple• Apple stood for sin• Serpent – negative :

evil/temptation/satan

• Great Gatsby• Huge pair of bespectacled

eyes• Over wilderness of a

rubbish heap• Symbol: God

Symbol association

- can have 3 kinds:• Often will have all three• 1. personal• 2. cultural • 3. universal

Personal:

• associations with things in our experience• One person may have strong affection for dogs • another person may fear them intensely.

Cultural• Different symbols different meanings in

different cultures.• A lion can represent Christ in Christian

culture; • Sumerian culture, sun represents god Marduk.• Chinese culture: dogs - devotion & loyalty• Islamic culture: impurity.

Common Cultural Symbols?• When looking for cultural symbols in literature• think of what symbols represent moral standards,

beliefs or patriotic themes for a culture / country. • American cultural symbols: Red, white and blue

colors; Bald Eagle; coin with "In God We Trust"• Indian cultural symbols: yogi, banyan tree, image

of Indian god or goddess • Chinese cultural symbols: Bamboo tree, bonsai

tree, yin/yang symbol

Universal:• Jungian psychology, & other theories• Argue: some symbols have universal meaning. • Lions : deity in a variety of cultures• Serpent/snake• Trying to discern, express universal meaning of a symbol is tricky.

Common literary symbols

• Symbols referring to damnation: Fire, flames, heat, hot temperatures

• Symbols referring to salvation: angels, haloes, clouds, churches

/mosques/temples

Common literary symbols

• 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

Symbolic Act

• A gesture/ action with larger significance

• Barn – burning• The act symbolise more than

destroying barn• Symbol of expression of

hatred • Father’s memories of the

“waste & extravagance of war”

• Kennedy and Gioia . (1995) Literature.

Allegory• Animal Farm,• entire story is a symbol for the evils of

communism,• animal characters representing key figures in the

Russian revolution. • can be read as hildren's story• Realise - various elements and characters in the

story symbolize• the novel takes on a whole new meaning. • story is called an allegory.

Why use symbols?

• Its compact• Its powerful/profound• Able to suggest • Watch – symbol for time• Ticking of watch – slow &

invisible passage of time• Sense of helplessness

associated with ‘ticking’

Recognising symbols

Sometimes writer:• gives paticular emphasis• may repeat• may appear in the title of the story - a clean well-lighted place, - barn-burning

Symbol or not?

• Maybe NOT a symbol but• Tie in with the theme• With the message• what the writer is trying to convey