English Lit 101: Literary Elements - Symbolism Symbol Allegory Pilgrims Progress Animal Farm Metaphor Extended Metaphor Conceit

What It Is

Symbolism is a literary device in which an object, color, or other element represents an abstract idea, concept, or theme. In John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress," the character of Christian's burden symbolizes the weight of sin. Understanding symbolism is crucial for literary analysis as it allows readers to uncover deeper meanings and themes within a text.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Symbol: An object, color, or element that represents an abstract idea or concept. Example: The green light in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" symbolizes the elusive American Dream.
• Allegory: A narrative that uses symbols and metaphors to convey a moral or spiritual message. Example: John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" is an allegory of the Christian journey.
• Metaphor: A comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as." Example: "He is a lion on the battlefield" is a metaphor that compares a person to a lion.
• Extended Metaphor: A metaphor that is developed and sustained throughout a text. Example: In William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," the metaphor of the daffodils is extended throughout the poem.
• Conceit: A metaphor that is elaborate and often surprising. Example: In John Donne's "The Sun Rising," the conceit of the sun as a lover is used to explore the speaker's relationship with nature.
• Imagery: The use of language to create vivid sensory experiences for the reader. Example: In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," the imagery of the raven's call creates a sense of eeriness.
• Motif: A recurring theme or symbol that is used throughout a text. Example: The motif of light and darkness is used throughout Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick."
• Tropes: Figures of speech that are used to convey meaning beyond the literal sense of the words. Example: The trope of the "hero's journey" is used in many myths and legends.
• Allusion: A reference to a person, place, event, or work of art that is outside the text itself. Example: In William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the allusion to the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe is used to explore the star-crossed lovers' fate.
• Personification: The attribution of human qualities to non-human entities, such as objects or animals. Example: In William Wordsworth's "The Prelude," the personification of nature is used to explore the speaker's relationship with the natural world.
• Symbolic Color: A color that has a specific meaning or association in a particular culture or text. Example: In William Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the color red symbolizes blood and violence.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Symbolism is only used in poetry.
• Correction: Symbolism is used in all forms of literature, including novels, plays, and short stories.
• Misunderstanding: A symbol is always a literal representation of an idea.
• Correction: A symbol is often an abstract representation of an idea, and its meaning may be open to interpretation.
• Misunderstanding: Allegory is only used in children's literature.
• Correction: Allegory is used in literature of all ages, including adult fiction and non-fiction.

Quick Application / Identification

1. Identify the symbol in the following excerpt from F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby": "The green light across the water was the only color in the faint sky, but we didn't care." Answer: The green light is a symbol of the elusive American Dream. Reason: The green light is a recurring image throughout the novel and is associated with the idea of something desirable and unattainable.
2. Identify the metaphor in the following excerpt from William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud": "I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o'er vales and hills." Answer: The metaphor is "I wandered lonely as a cloud." Reason: The speaker is comparing themselves to a cloud, which is an unlike thing.
3. Identify the conceit in the following excerpt from John Donne's "The Sun Rising": "Busy old fool, unruly sun, why dost thou also rise?" Answer: The conceit is the comparison of the sun to a lover. Reason: The speaker is using an elaborate and surprising metaphor to explore their relationship with nature.

Last?Minute Revision

• Symbolism is often used to convey themes and ideas that are not explicitly stated in the text.
• The Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory of the Christian journey.
• Metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as."
• Extended metaphor is a metaphor that is developed and sustained throughout a text.
• Conceit is an elaborate and often surprising metaphor.
• Imagery is the use of language to create vivid sensory experiences for the reader.
• Motif is a recurring theme or symbol that is used throughout a text.
• Tropes are figures of speech that are used to convey meaning beyond the literal sense of the words.
• Allusion is a reference to a person, place, event, or work of art that is outside the text itself.
• Personification is the attribution of human qualities to non-human entities, such as objects or animals.
• Symbolic color is a color that has a specific meaning or association in a particular culture or text.
• Allegory is often used to convey moral or spiritual messages.
• Symbolism can be used to create multiple interpretations of a text.
• The meaning of a symbol may be open to interpretation.
• Allegory is often used in literature of all ages, including adult fiction and non-fiction.