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Questions and Answers
What does Autumn/fall commonly symbolize in literature?
Which season is often associated with grief and death in literary symbolism?
In 'Of Mice and Men,' what do dogs symbolize according to the text?
Which novel uses the green light as a symbol of hope for the future?
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What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize in 'The Great Gatsby'?
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In literary symbolism, what do rabbits often represent?
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'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck is primarily set in which location?
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'The Great Gatsby' is set in which time period?
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'Of Mice and Men' follows the story of which two main characters?
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'The eyes of Dr.T.J.Eckleburg' in 'The Great Gatsby' are considered a symbol of what?
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Study Notes
What is Symbolism in Literature?
- Symbolism is a figure of speech where a person, situation, word, or object is used to represent another thing.
- Examples: flowing water representing rebirth or recovery, the season of fall depicting growing into older age or the passage of time.
Why Do Authors Use Symbolism?
- Symbolism helps create emotional meaning and understanding in a work by allowing authors to create a bond with the reader.
- It helps to create a certain mood, feeling, or emotion within a work, making readers feel connected to the story.
Types of Symbolism
Metaphor
- A type of symbolism where two dissimilar things are compared.
- Examples: "knowledge is power", "they were going through a rollercoaster of emotions", "life is a highway".
Allegory
- A style of symbolism that consists of an extended metaphor.
- Examples: George Orwell's "Animal Farm", Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter".
Common Symbols in Literature
Colors
- Used to represent deeper meaning, draw attention to a specific object, communicate a new idea about a character, or capitalize on a theme.
- Examples: blue for sadness, red for anger, pink for sweetness, yellow for happiness.
Objects
- Given context through characters, a plot, and themes, objects become an aspect of symbolism.
- Examples: dove for peace or innocence, flame for eternity or forever, lipstick for defiance or strength in a woman.
Seasons
- Used to make readers feel emotions and are easy to incorporate into a story.
- Examples: autumn/fall for old age, exhaustion, adulthood, winter for death, grief, pain, old age, spring for new beginnings, fertility, rebirth, rejuvenation, summer for adventure, freedom, fun, travel, youth.
Examples of Symbolism in Literature
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The green light at the end of Tom and Daisy's dock represents Gatsby's love for Daisy and his hope for the future.
- The billboard in the Valley of Ashes that shows the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg is a symbol of the eyes of God.
- The Valley of Ashes represents the moral and social decay resulting from the unabashed pursuit of material wealth.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- Animal symbolism: dogs represent the fate of the elderly and weak, rabbits represent abundance and innocence, mice represent lost hope.
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Description
Test your knowledge on symbolism in literature with this quiz! Learn about how symbols are used to represent deeper meanings in stories, novels, and other works of literature. Explore examples such as flowing water symbolizing rebirth or recovery, and the season of fall representing aging or the passage of time.
