symbol and allegory

8/2/2019 Symbol and Allegory

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What Is a Symbol?

Where Do We Get Symbols?

Symbols in Literature

Allegory

Practice Part A

Practice Part B

Symbolism and Allegory

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[End of Section]

A symbol is an ordinary object, event, person, oranimal to which we have attached a specialmeaning.

What Is a Symbol?


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Public symbols

have been inherited, orhanded down over time

show up in art andliterature


are widely known

Note


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What does each of these symbols stand for? Whydo you think they have taken on the meaningsthey have?

justice lucklove



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[End of Section]

Invented symbols

come about when writersmake a character, object,or event stand for some

human concern

sometimes becomewell known and gainthe status of public

symbol



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Writers use symbols to

suggest layers of meaning that a simple, literalstatement could never convey

speak more powerfully to the readersemotions and imagination

make their stories rich and memorable



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What might thecake symbolizein this passage?

What is youremotionalresponse to thedescription of

the cake?


Quick Check

The most prominent object was a longtable with a tablecloth spread on it. . . .An pergne or centrepiece of some kindwas in the middle of this cloth; it was soheavily overhung with cobwebs that itsform was quite undistinguishable; . . . Isaw speckled-legged spiders with blotchybodies running home to it, and runningout from it. . . .

What do you think that is? she asked

me, again pointing with her stick; that,where those cobwebs are? . . .

Its a great cake. A bride-cake. Mine!from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens [End of Section]


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Allegorya story in which characters, setting,and actions stand for something beyondthemselves, such as

abstract ideas

moral qualities

historical figures orevents

Allegory


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Allegories

can be read on two levels: literal and symbolic

are often intended to

teach a moral lessonor make a commentabout goodness andvice

Allegory


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Characters and places in allegories often havenames that reveal their symbolic significance:

Characters Places

DeathVanityGood DeedsIgnorance

Celestial CityVanity FairHill of DifficultyValley of Fear

Allegory


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What do you thinkEveryman, the maincharacter of theallegory, stands for?

What comment aboutfellowship, beauty, andstrength does thisallegory make?

Allegory

Quick Check

One day, Everyman issummoned by Death to give anaccounting of his life. Everymanask his friends Fellowship, Beauty,Strength, and Good Deeds to gowith him to tell Death that he hasled a good life. Only Good Deedsstays with him to the end.

summary of Everyman

[End of Section]


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On a symbolic level,what does it mean thatonly Good Deeds stayswith Everyman to theend?

Allegory

Quick Check

One day, Everyman issummoned by Death to give anaccounting of his life. Everymanask his friends Fellowship, Beauty,Strength, and Good Deeds to gowith him to tell Death that he hasled a good life. Only Good Deedsstays with him to the end.

summary of Everyman


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A.Think about the great number of symbols weresurrounded by in everyday life. For starters,identify what the items below stand for. Then, see

if you can explain the basis for the symbolwhy isthis symbol appropriate for what it stands for?

A snake

An eagle

Spring

An owl

A white flag

Practice

[End of Section]


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B. Here is a brief poem that works on two levels: aliteral level and a symbolic level. A fen is aswampy place. What does the fen symbolize in this

poem?

Practice

I May, I Might, I Must

If you will tell me why the fen

appears impassable, I then

will tell you why I think that I

can get across it if I try.

Marianne Moore

[End of Section]


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The End

symbol and allegory

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