AP Literary Analysis- The Symbol and the Guest Often times in pieces of writing like stories and other works of fiction, writers include various types of symbols to convey certain ideas and present common themes. A literary symbol is something that means more than what it suggests on the surface. A symbol could be just about anything. A symbol could be a person, an action, or even an inanimate object, from a Jesus-like figure to curtains on a window, though it must be hinted at by the story that it is a symbol, one cannot simply be made up by the reader in order to make a connection. Symbolism is used like this throughout nearly every work of writing. The story “The Guest” is a story during a time of war. Daru, a lone member of one of the
Symbolism is used in many stories, novels, and essays. It is an extraordinary addition to make a story interesting. The use of symbols in stories make the most significant ideas strike out as well as make the reader have distinctive ideas of what actually is trying to be said. Symbolism makes the reader think critically about what the author wants us as the readers to transmit. In “Paul’s Case,” there are some examples of the use of symbolism.
Symbols are everywhere. Readers see symbols in all kinds of literary works. Symbols are used to represent ideas and concepts in literary works. Authors use symbols to help the readers understand themes. In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the theme present is that societies need some kind of social order to live in peace.
Symbols are often characters, animals, objects, and or actions. In The Grapes of Wrath, a symbol that I first came across when reading was the turtle that was trying to continue its journey in the rough terrain. It was run over by a truck, that threw it on to the other side of the road and it still got up and continued its way. The turtle directly symbolizes the Joad’s. Like the turtle, the Joad’s are thrown off track by the harsh environment, but continue on their journey through the hardship.
Symbols in literature aren’t simply one-sided. When looked at briefly, symbols may seem to be just another simple element in a story. Although when one takes the time to really understand the symbol, it becomes another whole component. In the novel, The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls, the Glass Castle is one of the biggest symbol. Whenever Jeannette’s father, Rex, couldn’t seem to support his family in an adequate way, he brought up the Glass Castle as a promise to his children.
Another example of usage of symbolism in this book would be Alcohol. Alcohol is used as a symbol to convey a deeper meaning. Alcohol in this novel symbolizes that many of the characters face problems and obstacles that are very difficult, but they don’t really face them head-on. They try to escape from their problems in many ways, and the main one is alcohol. The characters are having tough times in their lives, where they really don’t know what to do and how to handle their obstacles or setbacks to be happy.
Symbols within the story that further
Symbolism is referred to an object or person who stands for or represents something else. In Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, there are a countless amount of times that the story reflects symbolism. The most popular being, the hearth, and fireplace. These symbolize the comfort and destruction that fire brings. But, in the novel, there are more symbols that are not so easily recognized that are overlooked.
A symbol, a word by definition means, a material object representing something immaterial. The character Jack Merridew, in Lord of The Flies symbolizes chaos, insanity, and ego. In Lord of The Flies Jack Merridew symbolizes chaos by demanding, “’ We want meat’” (51).
Also a symbol can mean something in real life. Could be a person or an object. In this story there were a lot of different symbols with different
Symbolism allows the author to create a story that would otherwise be bland and monotone. Without this dark romantic element, books, short stories, and poems would not have as much meaning nor appealing detail. Symbolism in "The Raven," "The Devil and Tom Walker," and "The Minister's Black Veil," creates layers of meaning and interesting characters. Symbolism has been used for centuries to spice up the literary world. Sometimes it is used in obvious ways, but other time it has to be thoroughly studied to be imperturbably understood.
The author used symbolism throughout the whole story to show the difference between these characters. The symbolism is there to give us a further explanation on the family and also to tell us how much heritage is important to some, but not others. The first symbol
What is symbolism? Maybe you have seen brands with their own symbols or maybe you have a word that is personal to you and your life. What’s the effect that the sign or word has on you? In “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” there are many symbols and meanings, some more complex than others. A young drummer boy named Joby has some struggles while in the army but his mood ends up changing in the end because of some highly relevant symbols and metaphors.
“Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.” Symbols can add a deeper meaning than just an object itself that the author is trying to make. Symbols can also foreshadow what is yet to come. The audience can interpret a symbol in many ways it depends on their experience. In Southside Chicago the Younger family is struggling to have hope as they are always facing society.
Symbolism in general is the building blocks to all sources of literature and can shape a piece of writing in many ways. Symbols in general can portray what something or someone represents, giving a deeper and metaphorical meaning to a symbol. Symbolism is often used within poetry, literature, music, or even art. This is how an author conveys a different meaning to the audience. For example artists may use the color “red” not only because of the color theory, but to convey love, passion, and maybe even health.
Gradually, it extends to a technique of expression to convey certain feelings.(Lv Haiyan,2009)The definition of symbol in Webster’s Dictionary is "something that stands for something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance….. a visible sign of something invisible".(Wang Xiaojing, 2013)In this sense, Symbol refers that one represents or implies the other, especially tangible things for the intangible.