Literary Element Series Symbolism Literary Symbols Motifs and

Symbolism l Symbolism is the art or practice of assigning abstract meaning to physical objects. l Let’s think of an everyday object such as a mirror. What exactly do we use a mirror for? Well, we use a mirror to see our reflection and make sure we are properly put together. l We all know a mirror is an object, but do we know what it represents symbolically? l l © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbolism l Through history certain objects have taken on more than their literal meaning. l Mirrors have become symbols of: truth, deceit, vanity, and beauty to name a few. Abstract meaning has been assigned to a mirror thereby making it a symbol. l Think of another object that people have assigned abstract meaning to. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

What are Symbols? l Symbols are objects, characters, figures, sounds or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. A symbol is the physical representation of an intangible idea, concept, emotion, or state of mind. Symbol/Object = Shamrock Abstract Idea/Concept LUCK © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbolic Significance l When we talk of a symbol’s symbolic significance we are referring to the important or profound meaning beyond the symbol. l Therefore, objects that have taken on more than their literal meaning have symbolic significance. l Again, let’s think about an everyday object. Let’s use the moon. It is a celestial body. It is a large natural satellite that revolves around the Earth, but what does it symbolically represent? © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbolic Significance l People from many different cultures have looked to the moon as a source of light but some also believed it was an ancient goddess. Artemis or Diana was one such goddess. She represented youth, chastity, and protected all animals. People believed in and worshipped her in their time of need. l Another legend says that during a full moon certain people transformed into wolf like beings and went mad for human flesh. Because of these ancient beliefs the moon has taken on new symbolic meaning. Symbol/Object = Moon © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™ ?

Symbolic Significance > Example: The Moon as a Symbol SYMBOL/OBJECT = THE MOON SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE Ø Immortality Ø Eternity Ø Wisdom Ø Darkside of Human Nature Ø Lunacy Ø The Imagination Ø Light and Darkness Ø Superstition Ø Youth Ø Adolescence Ø The Hunt © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbolic Meaning in 3 Forms Positive Meaning l When a symbol’s significance represents a quality that is “good” it is a symbol with positive meaning. Negative Meaning l When a symbol’s significance represents “bad” qualities it is a symbol with negative meaning. Neutral Meaning l When a symbol’s meaning is neither good nor bad then it is classified as neutral. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbolic Qualities Symbol = a wedding ring Positive Meaning Neutral Meaning Negative Meaning Ø Unity Ø Love Ø Trust Ø Fidelity Ø Partnership Ø Legality Ø Infinity Ø Eternity Ø Marriage Ø Lust Ø Obsession Ø Covetousness Ø Domination Ø Manipulation © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Literary Symbolism l Literary Symbolism is the usage and recognition of symbols in works of literature (as well as film). l Literary Symbols can be either Archetypal (Traditional) or Constructed. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Archetypal (Traditional) Symbols l Archetypal or Traditional symbols are objects that have taken on profound meaning through the years. l The symbolic significance of archetypal symbols are recognize by people of different cultures across the world. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Archetypal Symbols Example 1: Ø Love Ø Beauty Ø Mortality Ø Death Example 2: Ø Wisdom Ø Knowledge Ø Memory Ø Power Example 3: Ø Peace Ø Innocence Ø Purity Ø Freedom Example 4: Ø Life Ø Briefness Ø Warmth Ø Death Rose Dove Book Candle © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Constructed Symbols l Constructed symbols are objects that take on their own special symbolic meaning according to an author or film maker. l The object in question might hold traditional symbolic meaning but it also takes on new meaning in the context of the author’s story. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Constructed Symbols 1 & 2 l In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Masque of the Red Death, ” there are seven rooms, each a different color. Each room is symbolic of an abstract idea. For example, the last room was clad in black with scarlet stained windows. This is clearly symbolic of the Red Death (a deadly plague) and the finality of life. l In both the film and novel versions of The Color Purple, while sauntering through a field of violets, Shug Avery explains that “I think it [makes] God [mad] when you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice it. ” The color purple is clearly representative of all nature’s beauty and the simplicity of the little things in life. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Constructed Symbols 3 l In Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings volumes, there is a small gold ring which an unfathomable amount of power. The One Ring symbolizes power without limits—a power utterly corrupting. It is immensely difficult for many of the characters to resist the temptation to take the Ring for themselves and use it for their own ends. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbolic Characters l Sometimes in a work of literature or film a particular character takes on the role of a symbol. l This character usually demonstrates a dominant character trait that exemplifies an abstract concept. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Examples of Symbolic Characters 1] Hamlet (Hamlet) Contemplation & Manipulation 2] Captain Ahab (Moby Dick) Obsession & Vengeance 3] Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) Selfishness & Greed 4] Huck Finn (Adv. of Huckleberry Finn) Self-Reinvention & Conscience 5] Dorothy Gale (The Wizard of Oz) Belonging & Determination 6] Gandalf the Grey (Lord of the Rings) Sacrifice & Resurrection 7] Darth Vader (Star Wars) Corruption & Redemption 8] Harry Potter (Harry Potter Series) Courage & Humility © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Places as Symbols l The setting—either fictional or real—of a work of literature or film can also take on symbolic meaning. 1] Paris Ø Romance Ø Civilization Ø Revolution 2] Antarctica Ø Bleakness Ø Isolation Ø Tranquility 3] The Shire Ø Agriculture Ø Humbleness Ø Peace 4] Hogwarts Ø Scholarship Ø Education Ø Wizardry The Hobbit Harry Potter Series © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Major Categories of Literary Symbols Traditional Symbols Colors as Symbols Animals as Symbols of Love Symbols of Death Symbols of Luck American Symbols People & Occupations as Symbols Places & Monuments as Symbols © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Common Colors Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Violet [Purple] Black White Brown Pink Silver

Colors as Symbols 2 © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Animals as Symbols © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbols of Love © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbols of Death © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbols of Luck © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbols of Education © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

American Symbols © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Places & Monuments as Symbols © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbols, Symbols… Enough is Enough! l We should not make the mistake of trying to find a symbol in every story or movie. Every object is not a symbol. Please be aware that one can be prone to overanalyzing. Sometimes the creator of a work did not intend a certain object to hold any symbolic importance. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Motif l A motif is a recurrent symbol—an idea, an object, a place, or statement that appears or is mentioned many times in a text or film. l Motifs are very closely related to theme of works of literature and film. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Motifs in Film and Literature l The reappearance of the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, resonating with a green light, in The Great Gatsby, and the repeated statement, “My father said that the reason for living is getting ready to stay dead, ” in William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, are examples of motifs. l In the film The Sixth Sense whenever there is an evil spirit among the living they start to shiver and exhale a cold mist. A lot of red colored objects stand out from scene to scene. This foreshadows something sinister. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Shakespearean Motifs Romeo and Juliet Night/Day; Light/Dark Imagery Othello Desdemona’s Handkerchief Macbeth Bloody Dagger and Hands Hamlet King Hamlet’s Apparition © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Leitmotif l A leitmotif is a melody that accompanies the reappearance of an idea, person, or situation. l In many television shows and movies certain characters have their own dominant theme music. For instance, in John Carpenter’s Halloween Series, whenever Michael Meyers appears a bone chilling melody ensues. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Allegory l An allegory is basically a story which can be seen as one huge symbol or metaphor. It is a symbolic fictional narrative that conveys a secondary meaning that is not explicitly or out right stated. l An allegory strikes the imagination and makes you think about a story or movie in another light or like you were looking through another lens. Fables and parables are short allegories with one definite moral. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Notable Allegories in Literature Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad Animal Farm – George Orwell The Crucible – Arthur Miller His Dark Materials – Phillip Pullman Lord of the Flies – William Golding © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Notable Allegorical Films Apocalypse Now The Wizard of Oz Dawn of the Dead V

When is an Allegory not an Allegory? l Since meaningful stories can be easily connected to larger issues, the use of allegory may be assumed—sometimes distorting an author’s original meaning. l For instance, many people believe that The Lord of the Rings was an allegory for World Wars I and II. J. R. R. Tolkien was already working on his story when the wars broke out. He has stated: l “It is neither allegorical nor topical. . . I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. ” J. R. R. Tolkien in his Military Uniform— Hmmmm? © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbolism and Theme 1 l A symbol is an object or image that stands out in a text or film. Symbols become more easily recognizable when they are repeatedly shown or referred to. When this happens a symbol becomes a motif. l A symbol that becomes a motif (or various objects in a film or story that hold the same symbolic significance) greatly influence or even create the foundation of a theme. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Symbolism and Theme 2 l A theme is an idea set forth by a text, where a motif is a recurring element which often symbolizes that idea. The motif can also be more like the central idea behind theme, such as love, vengeance, or courage. l A motif can be an event or idea that reemerges to develop a theme in a novel. l In the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird the children are told never to shoot a mockingbird because mockingbirds do nothing in their life but sing beautifully for people. At the end of the novel theme of senseless killing is re-visited when Mr. Underwood talks of Tom’s death. © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Lead-In Words & Phrases for Analyzing and Interpreting Symbolic Significance symbolically represents… symbolizes symbol of embodies embodiment of stands for incarnates incarnation of represents representative of signifies personify epitomizes epitome of typifies typify denotes suggestive of associated with indicates indicative of © 2013 James D. Whitaker, Sophist. Thoughts™

Sample Introductory Phrases The color red symbolically represents love, passion, and temptation. An hourglass epitomizes the concepts of time and human mortality. A lion embodies courage, strength and nobility. The American flag incarnates freedom, bravery, and sacrifice. Both the crow and raven are birds that personify death. Doves, swans, and bees all typify love. Wolves are very social animals who symbolize kinship, community, and loyalty. Paris is a famous city that is associated with love and romance.

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