Symbol

Definition

Symbol can be defined as a communication element, which is intended to represent a complex of a person, object or an idea. We can meet various symbols and the idea of symbolism as a whole not only in literature, but in our everyday's life. For example, the heart symbol stands for love, flags are symbols of countries, or the cross symbol represents Christianity.

In literature, however, symbols often take form of characters, images or other motifs, representing a bigger idea. The authors use them to give their work a deeper meaning or to deliver a message within a narrative and it's usually up to the reader to discover them in the text.

Example of a symbol in literature

But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,

Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;

Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—

What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore

             Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”

-- E. A. Poe - The Raven

The poem The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe contains a lot of symbolism. To start with, the bird itself can be considered as a symbol of the author's feelings - loss of a loved one, lonelines, mourning. Also, the constant repetition of the word "Nevermore" at the end of every paragraph of the poem symbolises the author's mind - he's being repeatedly reminded of his situation, causing him to delve deeper into his sorrow. This poem was written when the author was going through tough times.

Sources

"Symbol"| Encyclopædia Britannica, 21st Oct 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/symbol

"Symbolism" | StudySmarter, 21st Oct 2023, https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english-literature/literary-devices/symbolism/

"Symbol" | LiteraryTerms, 21st Oct 2023, https://literaryterms.net/symbol/

"The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe" | Poetry Foundation, 21st Oct 2023, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48860/the-raven

Author: Roman Mudrák (512862)