1. Chapter 9: Symbolism and Allegory
AP English Literature & Composition
Unit I: Introduction to Literature

2. Symbolism and Allegory
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of happiness
Freedom
Democracy
Power
Solidarity
Symbolism and Allegory
Overview
Cultural vs. Contextual Symbols
Determining What Is Symbolic
Definition and Types of Allegory

3. Overview of Symbolism & Allegory
Symbolism and allegory are modes that expand meaning (like figurative language).
These literary devices developed from the connections that people make between our own experiences and particular objects, places, or occurrences.
By highlighting details as symbols, and stories or parts of stories as allegories, writers expand their meaning while keeping their works within reasonable lengths.

4. B Symbolism A symbol creates a direct meaningful equation between
A: specific objects, scenes, characters, or actions
B: ideas, values, persons, or ways of life
A symbol (A) is a substitute for the element being signified (B).
What makes a symbol symbolic is its capacity to signify additional levels of meaning.

5. Cultural Symbols
Many symbols are generally or universally recognized and are therefore cultural (or universal).
These symbols embody ideas and emotions that writers and readers share as part of the same cultural and historical heritage.
Examples
Archetypal characters
Natural elements (earth, air, fire, water, etc.)

6. Activity: Cultural Symbols
sun
apple
lion
monument
shackles
peace sign
colors
shapes

7. Contextual Symbols
Objects and other elements that are not universal can be symbols within an individual work.
These contextual symbols may also be labeled private or authorial.
Examples
necklace (“The Necklace”)
kitchen (“A Jury of Her Peers”)
pink ribbons (“Young Goodman Brown”)

8. Determining What Is Symbolic
Judge the importance that the author gives to a particular literary element
Prominence (“Is it emphasized?”)
Constancy and repetition
Then, consider if it has additional meaning beyond itself.
Not everything is a symbol. If you can’t identify the equation (A = B), then don’t call it one!

9. Allegory “All symbolism, all the time”
A complete and self-sufficient narrative that also signifies another series of conditions or events
Many stories that are not allegories contain brief episodes that are allegorical
Often concerned with morality and religion, but there are also political and social allegories (e.g. Animal Farm)

10. A Visual . . . Literal (surface) level of meaning
Symbolic (deeper) level of meaning

11. Applications and Meanings of Allegories
Favored method of teaching morality
Type of didactic literature
Easier to remember stories (rather than lessons)
Determine whether all or part of a work can have an extended, allegorical meaning

12. Types of Allegory: Fables
Fable = an old, brief, and popular form of didactic stories
Often, but not always, about animals who possess human traits (also known as “beast fables”); employ personification
Contain clear morals or explanations

13. Types of Allegories: Parables
Parable = a short, simple allegory with a moral or religious bent
Often associated with Zen Buddhism
Higher level of thought and “teaching” than fables
Offers a central paradox, or seemingly contradictory situation
Learning occurs through meditation, reflection, and thought
Also featured throughout the Bible

14. Types of Allegory: Myth
Myth = traditional story that embodies and codifies the religious, philosophical, and cultural values of the civilization in which it is composed
Central figures are usually heroes, gods, and demigods
May be based on historical truth, but the truth of the story is to be found in their symbolic and allegorical interpretations

15. Writing about Symbolism & Allegory
Questions for Discovering Ideas
Strategies for Organizing Ideas

16. Questions for Discovering Ideas: Symbolism
What cultural or universal symbols can you discover in the names, objects, places, situations, or actions?
What contextual symbolism can you find? What makes you think it is symbolic? What is symbolized? How definite or direct is the symbolism? How systematic is it? How necessary to the work? How does it strengthen the work? How strongly does the work stand on its own without reading for symbolism?
Is it possible to make parallel lists to show how qualities of a particular symbol match the qualities of a particular character or action? (see example)

17. Example: Parallel Lists
From “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty:
Qualities of Windmill Toy
Qualities of Phoenix & her Life
Cheap
Poor, but gives all she has for the toy
Breakable
Old, and not far from death
A gift for grandson
Generous
Not practical
Needs relief from reality and practicality
Colorful
Needs something new and cheerful

18. Questions for Discovering Ideas: Allegory
How clearly does the author point you toward an allegorical reading (i.e., through names and allusions, consistency of narrative, literary context)?
How consistent is the allegorical application? Does the entire work, or only a part, embody the allegory? On what basis do you draw these conclusions?
How complete is the allegorical reading? How might the allegory yield to a diagram showing how characters, actions, objects, and ideas correspond allegorically?

19. Questions for Discovering Ideas: Other Forms
What enables you to identify the story as a parable or fable? What lesson or moral is either clearly stated or implicit?
What mythological circumstances does the work contain? What do you find (names, situations, etc.) that enables you to see it as myth? How is the myth to be interpreted? What is its symbolic value? What current or timeless application?

20. Strategies for Organizing Ideas
Central Idea
Relate the central idea of your essay to the meaning of the work’s major symbolism or allegorical thrust.
Look for ways to make solid connections (A = B) when you designate something as a symbol or allegory.
Your essay must include justifications for your symbols or allegorical parallels.
In concluding, you may choose to
Summarize main points
Describe general impressions
Explain the impact of symbolic or allegorical methods
Indicate personal responses
Suggest further lines of thought and application
Assess the quality and appropriateness of symbolism or allegory

21. Organizing Ideas: Symbolism
The Meaning of a Major Symbol: Identify the symbol and what it stands for. Then answer questions such as these:
Is the symbol cultural or contextual? How do you decide?
How do you derive your interpretation of the symbolic meaning?
What is the extent of the meaning?
Does the symbol undergo modification or new applications if it reappears in the work?
How does the symbol affect your understanding of the work?
Does the symbol bring out any ironies?
How does the symbol add strength and depth to the work?

22. Organizing Ideas: Symbolism
The Development and Relationship of Symbols: For two or more symbols, consider questions such as these:
How do the symbols connect with each other?
What additional meanings do the symbols provide?
Do the symbols control the form (structure) of the work? How?
(For comparisons across texts): Can these comparable objects and conditions be viewed symbolically in relationship to the development of the two stories?

23. Organizing Ideas: Allegory
The Application and Meaning of the Allegory
What is the subject of the story (allegory, fable, parable, myth)?
How can this subject be more generally applied to ideas or to qualities of human character, not only of its own time but also of our own?
What other versions of the story do you know, if any?
Does it illustrate, either closely or loosely, particular philosophies or religious views? If so, what are these views? How do you know that the story illustrates them?

24. Organizing Ideas: Allegory
The Consistency of the Allegory
Is the allegory used consistently throughout the story or is it used intermittently? Explain and illustrate this use.
Would it be correct to call your story allegorical rather than an allegory?
Can you determine how parts of the story are introduced for their allegorical importance?