The Enduring Power of Symbolism in Literature

Symbolism is one of the strongest literary tools because it helps writers to hint at something deeper. It constructs significance upon significance and invites the reader to look beyond the superficial readings. Symbolism is being used in new ways in modern literature. That being the case, symbolism shows that the idea remains equally applicable today as it did in the classics despite the fact that it could be a classical one.

The Meaning Behind Literary Symbolism

Symbolism is simply the expression of ideas in a non-literary way. Another symbolic meaning of a rose is that of love, or secrecy or both. Symbolism is an effective device that authors can use to provoke emotion, appeal to the interest of readers, and connect them to the human experience.

The Symbolism on Classic Literature

The works below demonstrate the way symbolism is presented to the readers.

• Animal Farm by George Orwell – the animals in this literary work personifies political personalities and some beliefs.
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – green light displays yearning, optimism, and the American Dream.

Modern Literature and Symbolism

Here is how writers use symbolism to produce meaningful meanings in modern literature.

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – it refers to police badge and gun to show systematic injustice.
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – in this work, the concept of defiance and persistence can be seen through a mockingjay.
• On Earth We Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong – the scars and the flower pictures are used as symbols of trauma and healing.

End Notes

Symbolism deeply connects and allows the readers to interact with the literature itself. A reader’s ability to decode symbols may reveal new layers beyond the surface of the reading process. Literature is an antidote in a world where people are too busy to stop and think and see meaning beyond the superficial. That is the magical strength of symbolism.