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?
