LITERATURE 344 / CONTEMPORARY DRAMA Summer 2006 / July 3 - August 27, 2006 CLASS NOTES /6 SYMBOLISM
Symbolism is the use of one thing to represent another. The term "symbolism" is used in literature to refer to either of two types of symbols: those we're already familiar with and those the writer creates "from scratch," so to speak.
Many cultures have symbolic systems that use things like animals, plants, colors, and the like to represent something else.
In Western culture, the owl represents wisdom and white stands for purity, for example.
Using symbols allows a writer to imply a broader meaning to the words and actions of the characters. If he associates a particular hat with one character and another character stomps on it, we might see that as a symbolic way of expressing the character's attitude toward the owner of the hat.
For more on symbolism in literature:
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