Symbolism

Symbolism is … A symbol is something that represents something else. peace commitment

What can be a symbol? • An object • A picture • Written word • Sound • Numerals • Language

Religious Symbols

Mathematical Symbols

Political Symbols American Flag = all things American Red and White Bars = the original 13 colonies The Stars = The Fifty States

Color Symbolism Black is used to represent death or evil. White stands for life and purity. Red can symbolize blood, passion, danger, or immoral character. Purple is a royal color. Yellow stands for violence or decay. Blue represents peacefulness and calm. 

Symbolism in Writing • Symbolism is used to provide meaning to the writing beyond what is actually being described. • Plot and action are one level in the story; symbolism is another level.

Symbolism in Writing • EXAMPLE: A storm occurring when there is a conflict or high emotions • EXAMPLE: Transition from day to night might = move from goodness to evil Good -> Evil

Examples from Literature Harry Potter Could be seen as containing a lot of symbolism, although there are as many interpretation as there are creatures in the books. One clear symbol is a commonly used one-the use of the snake to represent evil. It is no coincidence that the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent.

Examples from Literature “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst The "red, dead bird" symbolizes the frailty of Doodle, the boy whose life is also suddenly cut short.  Like the ibis, which has traveled a great distance only to discover that he is lost in a strange land, Doodle also has lived longer and covered more ground than anyone could have imagined. He is found in the appropriately named “bleeding tree.” Darkness comes early, symbolizing the approach of death.

“Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost Nature's first green is gold, (youth & new life = beauty) Her hardest hue to hold. (beauty is difficult to hold onto) Her early leaf's a flower; (nature = woman; youth = flower) But only so an hour. (appearances fade quickly) Then leaf subsides to leaf, (time passes like turning pages) So Eden sank to grief, (refers to creation and fall of mankind) So dawn goes down to day (time shortening to a single day) Nothing gold can stay.  (references to spring and new life become references to fall and death)