Is symbolism needed in
novels or short fiction? I would say
yes--if a writer wants his or her work to have quality and stand out.
Here are some tips on
creating symbolism:
First, decide on an overall
theme or idea that unites your work. It should connect setting, plot and
characters in some significant way.
Second, recognize that a
symbol is an image which is repeated. Consider it as an association cluster
presented in many ways.
Religious writings are
fraught with symbolism. Shakespeare used it effectively in his plays as did the
early Greeks. In novels, the symbol can take a variety of forms. For example,
in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet
Letter, the first American symbolic novel, the author used the “A” as a
symbol in many guises to emphasize the difficulties of overcoming the past, its
institutions, and the values of family and society.
In Moby Dick, Melville also used symbolism in a varied manner. The
great white whale is symbolic of numerous sociological ideas. Melville examines
the nature of good and evil through images of light and dark. Ahab’s unyielding
aloneness is emphasized by images of the heart and head.
In the twentieth century,
writers like Hemingway and Fitzgerald were masters of symbolism. Color imagery
was often used. For example, in the bullfight in The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway uses the colors red and green to
create a vivid, violent scene. The images symbolically connect to his theme of
the manly or macho code of behavior which was what Hemingway considered most
important in life.
In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald developed a theme he had earlier used
in a short story entitled “Winter Dreams,” the love story of an American upper
class girl and lower middle class young man—insider vs. outsider. Dexter Green
is a romantic and his loss of Judy Jones causes him permanent pain because of
the loss of his illusion of her more than the physical loss. She is a symbol of
romance, just as Daisy is for Gatsby. In the novel the color green appears
repeatedly and becomes a symbol for Daisy and all that she represents. For
example, Gatsby looks longingly at the green light on Daisy’s dock across the
water.
In Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, the image of the
Brooklyn Bridge George Washington Bridge
Contemporary authors often
use symbolism. Consider Harry Potter’s scar—a
symbol of his being the “chosen one”, as well as his ability to overcome evil. GalleyCat
just discussed recent articles written by J.K. Rowling on the
symbolism behind Dumbledore and Hagrid's names. Dan Brown even wrote a thriller
entitled The Lost Symbol.
In my
latest novel Dark Moon Rising, the
moon symbolizes romance. However, the moon is also a symbol of night and
darkness, fear and hate. Since this is a paranormal novel fraught with mystery,
moon imagery and symbolism work well with the underlying theme.
In meaningful writing,
symbolism adds depth and perspective to fiction and unites theme with plot,
setting and characterization. The final tip: always consider the big picture.
What image or images will work best to imply your underlying theme?
As a reader, are there meaningful symbols you recall in what you've read.
Writers, do you use symbolism in your work?
What a great post. I find that when I write, I'm surprised by the symbolism that I've used.
ReplyDeleteHi, Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteYou're right--symbolism can creep into our writing via the unconscious mind. Freud would approve!
Theme and symbolism are vital to my own writing. In BENEATH THE STONES--stone wall built by slaves, stone fireplace in an old cottage, grave stones of ancestors--solid, historic, old and representative of family ties and heritage. Thanks for a thoughtful blog.
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan,
DeleteI enjoyed reading your gothic novel and think you did a great job using stones as symbols.
Thanks, Jacquie: I admire your writing and enjoy your instructive blogs. Always something to consider for the serious writer.
DeleteNice article. I use symbolism subconsciously (noticing it only during rewrites), In my latest, it was the storm. It's approach, then when it breaks and starts washing away lives and people.
ReplyDeleteClever having setting provide symbolism. Storms are great in this regard.
DeleteGreat post, Jacqueline. I see I need to work harder on symbolism in my work.
ReplyDeleteI think clutter is symbolic in your mystery fiction and works well.
DeleteInteresting post, Jacqueline. I believe symbolism can be a powerful force in a writer's work, although like all writers' tools the challenge is in using it just enough to enhance the story without becoming obvious.
ReplyDeleteRight, Allan, we certainly don't want to overdo it.
DeleteHi, great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm not super good at symbolism...need to work on that!
Hi, D'Ann,
DeleteNot easy to get it right but worth the effort.
A very interesting post on using imagery and details to create deeper meaning.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. I am actually impressed by the way you handle imagery in your mystery novels--an artist's eye for details.
DeleteAn excellent post, Jacquie, well researched and told. I don't think about symbolism as I write, but am happy when a critic notes it here and there in my fiction. I'm probably more conscious of it in poems as I write or as I read. But then, like you, I prefer that it be subtle.
ReplyDeleteSamuel Taylor Coleridge defined poetry as the best words in the best order. I think we do tend to be more exacting in the use of literary devices when we write poetry.
DeleteThanks for the post, Jacqueline! Interesting about The Great Gatsby--we watched the original movie recently since Husband had never seen it. I didn't realize the part about the light at the end of the pier. . .and knowing that now makes the story even more meaningful to me. I guess that's the best use of symbols--to make the story even more meaningful to the reader.
ReplyDeleteI taught Gatsby to juniors at the high school level, and I've seen two versions of the novel--Redford and DiCaprio. I get more from Fitzgerald's book, but for me the film rarely lives up to the novel.
DeleteVery interesting post. I tend to use symbolism almost unconsciously. It's only when I go back and read what I've written that I find where I wove it in.
ReplyDeleteKaren,
DeleteThat's the mark of a fine writer--the fact that you use symbolism innately.
Your point about a symbol serving to unify the various components of a story is on the money and very useful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike.
DeleteWhat an interesting post. Until now, I've not thought about symbolism in my writing. I suppose the Elizabethan weapon in my latest book would fall into this. It's all in the details.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea to have a weapon serve as a symbol. I think it could work well in a mystery novel.
DeleteI don't consciously plan symbolism in my stories but I've been told it's there.
ReplyDeleteGreat when it comes easily!
Delete