Symbolism: An Archetype

Symbolism Symbolism: the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Symbols are allowed to have multiple meanings If a symbol only has one meaning it is most likely an allegory Symbols do not have to be an object, they can be actions as well. Keep an open mind when analyzing symbols.  Symbols can be both private and public. Private- have some sort of personal connection to the author, not as well known, and hard to interpret  Public- has a universal meaning, very often used and well known ex. water can symbolize a baptism.

Symbolism and Invisible Man The symbolism in the novel Invisible Man helps contribute to the overall theme, finding your identity through the surrounding racism in society.  The symbols in Invisible Man work to create insight and the deeper, overall meaning of the book. This archetype aids Ellison's argument about identity by using certain objects or colors to create a pattern, thus creating the theme. 

Symbols in Invisible Man The Sambo Doll- the doll emphasizes black features and are connected to  strings to be controlled. The doll symbolizes that the narrator still identifies with the south, not being able to let the doll go. The strings show how him and other of his race are being manipulated by a higher power and show the presence of racism. The narrator's strings are being manipulated by the brotherhood and all the other racists in Harlem.  The Briefcase- The narrator carries around his briefcase wherever he goes and admits towards the end of the book, all the papers he owns is in there. He has is Diploma, his brotherhood card, and the Sambo Doll, all symbolizing his identity. When he burns the contents when he is in the "hole", it symbolizes him burning his past identity and he becomes invisible. 

Symbols in Invisible Man Continued Brother Tarp's chain-link- it symbolizes Tarp's freedom from physical slavery, but also slavery of the mind. Tarp broke away from the slavery of the brotherhood but also from enslavement in the South. Tarp's chain-link represents his strength to break away from a higher controlling power, and form his own identity, just as the narrator tries to do.

Symbolism and To Kill a Mockingbird Symbolism is apparent in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird and helps contribute to the overall theme of the book of loss of innocence, because Scout and Jem are exposed to the true evils of the world (racism) for the first time due to their father's case.  In To Kill a Mockingbird, the mockingbird is meant to represent innocence within the novel. Mockingbirds are referenced throughout the book and depicted as fragile. A famous quote was "Mockingbirds don’t do one thing...but sing for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." Mockingbirds are used to highlight the vulnerability the characters are to the racist world around them.

Symbolism and The Book Thief In the Book Thief, the theme is rebellion against the Nazi-Germany Dictatorship.  In the book, bread is a major symbol and is representative of a person's potential kindness. Liesel's father, Hans, fed bread to the Jewish people while they were marching to a different concentration camp, showing Han's kindness. Max, a Jewish man in hiding from the Nazis, is staying in the Meminger's basement. They fed him bread and helped to protect him from the anti-Semitic world around him, again showing their kindness.