Symbolism and Allegory

1
Symbolism and Allegory
Feature Menu
What Is a Symbol? Where Do We Get
Symbols? Symbols in Literature Allegory Practice
Part A Practice Part B
2
What Is a Symbol?
A symbol is an ordinary object, event, person, or
animal to which we have attached a special
meaning.
End of Section
3
Where Do We Get Symbols?

• Public symbols
• have been inherited, or handed down over time

• are widely known

• show up in art and literature

Note
4
Where Do We Get Symbols?
What does each of these symbols stand for? Why do
you think they have taken on the meanings they
have?
justice
luck
love
5
Where Do We Get Symbols?

• Invented symbols
• come about when writers make a character, object,
  or event stand for some human concern

• sometimes become well known and gain the status
  of public symbol

End of Section
6
Symbols in Literature

• Writers use symbols to
• suggest layers of meaning that a simple, literal
  statement could never convey

• speak more powerfully to the readers emotions
  and imagination

• make their stories rich and memorable

7
Symbols in Literature
Quick Check
What might the cake symbolize in this passage?
The most prominent object was a long table with a
tablecloth spread on it. . . . An épergne or
centrepiece of some kind was in the middle of
this cloth it was so heavily overhung with
cobwebs that its form was quite
undistinguishable . . . I saw speckled-legged
spiders with blotchy bodies running home to it,
and running out 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
What is your emotional response to the
description of the cake?
End of Section
8
Symbols in Literature
Quick Check
What might the cake symbolize in this passage?
The most prominent object was a long table with a
tablecloth spread on it. . . . An épergne or
centrepiece of some kind was in the middle of
this cloth it was so heavily overhung with
cobwebs that its form was quite
undistinguishable . . . I saw speckled-legged
spiders with blotchy bodies running home to it,
and running out 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
lost love, disappointment, holding on to the past
9
Symbols in Literature
Quick Check
What is your emotional response to the
description of the cake?
The most prominent object was a long table with a
tablecloth spread on it. . . . An épergne or
centrepiece of some kind was in the middle of
this cloth it was so heavily overhung with
cobwebs that its form was quite
undistinguishable . . . I saw speckled-legged
spiders with blotchy bodies running home to it,
and running out 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
It gives me the creeps. It makes me feel sorry
for the woman.
10
Allegory
Allegorya story in which characters, setting,
and actions stand for something beyond
themselves, such as

• abstract ideas

• moral qualities

• historical figures or events

11
Allegory

• Allegories
• can be read on two levels literal and symbolic

• are often intended to teach a moral lesson or
  make a comment about goodness and vice

12
Allegory
Characters and places in allegories often have
names that reveal their symbolic significance
Characters
Places
Death Vanity Good Deeds Ignorance
Celestial City Vanity Fair Hill of
Difficulty Valley of Fear
13
Allegory
Quick Check
What do you think Everyman, the main character of
the allegory, stands for?
One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give
an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his
friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good
Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has
led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him
to the end. summary of Everyman
What comment about fellowship, beauty, and
strength does this allegory make?
End of Section
14
Allegory
Quick Check
What do you think Everyman, the main character of
the allegory, stands for?
One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give
an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his
friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good
Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has
led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him
to the end. summary of Everyman
Everyman stands for every man (or woman).
15
Allegory
Quick Check
What comment about fellowship, beauty, and
strength does this allegory make?
One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give
an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his
friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good
Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has
led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him
to the end. summary of Everyman
Fellowship, beauty, and strength are
fleetingthey dont stay with you to the end.
16
Allegory
Quick Check
On a symbolic level, what does it mean that only
Good Deeds stays with Everyman to the end?
One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give
an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his
friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good
Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has
led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him
to the end. summary of Everyman
17
Allegory
Quick Check
On a symbolic level, what does it mean that only
Good Deeds stays with Everyman to the end?
One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give
an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his
friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good
Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has
led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him
to the end. summary of Everyman
A persons good deeds will indicate whether he or
she has led a good life.
18
Practice
A. Think about the great number of symbols were
surrounded by in everyday life. For starters,
identify what the items below stand for. Then,
see if you can explain the basis for the
symbolwhy is this symbol appropriate for what it
stands for?

• A snake
• An eagle
• Spring

• An owl
• A white flag

End of Section
19
Practice
B. Here is a brief poem that works on two levels
a literal level and a symbolic level. A fen is a
swampy place. What does the fen symbolize in this
poem?
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
20
The End
21
Where Do We Get Symbols?
Note Different cultures may attach different
meanings to some symbols.

• For example, the symbolic meanings of colors are
  not universal.

22
Allegory

• Literal meaning
• the story that takes place on the surface

• uses interesting characters and plot to hold the
  readers attention

Symbolic, or allegorical, meaning

• the story that takes place beneath the surface

• uses characters and events to represent ideas
  such as love, freedom, evil, or goodness