Symbols and Figurative Language Monomyths lend themselves to stories with lots of symbols and often have allegorical interpretations.

Symbols Symbols : symbols are concrete objects/images that stand for abstract subjects. The objects and images have meanings of their own but may be ascribed subjective connotations such as heart = love, skull & crossbones = poison, color green = envy; light bulb = idea, seasons = times in a lifespan.

Symbols: 2 Types 1. Established/Inherited (Public): 2. Private/Invented (Personal): the meaning of an established symbol is derived from outside the context of the story, from “received association,” i.e. symbolism is agreed upon “universally” (artificially) by culture, religion, tribe, kinship, etc. For example, a journey = life; water = rebirth/new beginning; lion = courage definable only within the context of the story in which it appears. For example, early in T. S. Eliot’s long poem “The Waste Land” the narrative voice issues, “Come in under the shadow of the rock.” In Eliot’s poem, the red rock is symbolic of the spiritual shelter of the Anglican Church, although this is not a “received” symbol traditional to any particular culture.

Public and Inherited Symbols For example: no one really knows who first thought of using a lion as a symbol of power, courage and domination Once these qualities were associated with the animal, images of lions appeared on flags, banners, coats of arms and castle walls The lion became a public symbol that shows up in art and literature, even today! Can you think of some examples of how lions are used as a symbol of courage and power?

Invented Symbols Writers often take a new object, character, or event and make it the embodiment of some human concern. Some invented symbols in literature have become so widely known that they often have gained the status of public symbols. Symbols can also be invented. What is the symbol for our school? For example: Peter Pan is a symbol for eternal childhood

How do I know A Symbol is a Symbol? 1. REPEAT APPERANCE/EMPHASIS: The story itself must furnish a clue that a detail is to be taken symbolically - symbols nearly always signal their existence by emphasis, repetition, or position. 2. MEANING ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE STORY: The meaning of a literary symbol must be established and supported by the entire context of the story. A symbol has its meaning inside not outside a story. 3. MEANING DIFFERENT THAN LITERAL MEANING: To be considered a symbol, an item must suggest a meaning different in kind from its literal meaning. 4. MAY HAVE MULTIPLE MEANINGS: A symbol may have multiple meanings within one story.

Why Create Symbols? You may ask why writers don’t just come right out and say what they mean. Symbols allow writers to suggest layers and layers of meaning- possibilities that a simple, literal statement could never convey. A symbol is like a pebble cast into a pond: It sends out ever widening ripples of meaning

Allegory: Split Level Stories An allegory is a story in which characters, settings and actions stand for something beyond themselves. In some types of allegories, the characters and setting represent abstract ideas of moral qualities. In other types, characters and situations stand for historical figures and events.

Reading an Allegory An allegory can be read on one level for its literal or straightforward meaning And on a second level for its symbolic, or allegorical, meaning. Allegories are often intended to teach a moral lesson or to make a comment about goodness and vice.

Allegory Some of the most famous allegories feature characters and places whose names describe what they symbolize. In Western culture, allegories have often been used for instructive purposes around Christian themes; for example, John Bunan’s Pilgrim’s Progress in which the main character “Christian” goes on a journey in which he encounters such characters as Mr. Worldly Wise, Vanity Fair, and the Slough of Despond –all depicting the struggles of a Christian trying to stay pure.

What Are Some More Allegories? Here we have a picture of a serpent (snake) and an apple. What are some things that come to mind when you see this image? Often times, a serpent or snake is used to symbolize temptation or trouble. This allegory stems from it’s biblical reference. What does the apple stand for?

Symbolism vs. Allegory A symbol is a word, place, character, or object that means something beyond what it is on a literal level. An allegory involves using many interconnected symbols or allegorical figures in such as way that in nearly every element of the narrative has a meaning beyond the literal level, i.e., everything in the narrative is a symbol that relates to other symbols within the story.

“Star Bellied Sneetches” by Dr. Seuss As you watch this children’s story please identify at least 2 symbols, and then see if you can’t come up with an allegorical interpretation of the story. Jot these ideas down in your notes.