How does symbolism affect a story

Symbolism has the effect of making a literary work more complex. It endows parts of a story with at least two layers of meaning: the obvious literal meaning and the more-complex symbolic meaning. For example, a character's obsession with a watch or clock may be taken as an eccentricity, but it may also symbolize an obsession with time or an inability to let go of the past.

Symbolism allows writers to demonstrate the universal concepts underlying more specific circumstances, which helps make writing more relatable to readers. A reader who does not relate to the specific details of a story may still relate to the deeper symbolic meaning to which those details speak.

However it occurs, the theme is often supported by certain recurring symbols that help to develop the overall message or idea throughout the course of a story. These repeated symbols are called motifs.

For example, consider the Harry Potter series. One of the motifs under-girding the theme of good vs. Those who can speak Parseltongue the language of serpents are considered to be dark wizards. The setting is a natural place for these motifs to occur because it contains so many possibilities.

It could be a season, an article of clothing, an animal, a weather phenomenon—it could be anything, as long as it recurs throughout the story and reinforces the overall theme. Themes can either be planned or accidental. If you know beforehand what your theme will be, think of a location that could reinforce that idea—either through the setting itself or with objects within that place—and make sure those choices are prominently displayed throughout the story.

Stop by sometime and explore the many possible symbols that can be used to enhance the deeper themes in your writing. How have you used symbolism and motifs in your writing?

If you haven't, how would you like to use them to enhance your writing? She is passionate about helping writers succeed. Her site, One Stop For Writers is a powerhouse online library like no other, filled with description, story structure, and brainstorming tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

Love, love, love this post, Angela! I have a mental block about the difference, and you've laid it out simply. Thank you! In my book, Days Made of Glass, I used both.

Symbolism is the yin-yang - two sisters took it to mean their close relationship, and glass, as a motif. It winds through the book, with many concrete meanings, but also, the fragility of life, mental health, and the transience of relationships.

Thanks so much Laura. I love symbolism, and it really is the elite of "showing" because we are hardwired to notice universal symbolism, and so it can be used to covey emotion, characterization, longings, world views, bigger ideas, and so much more. Personal symbolism is just as powerful though, because it's an intimate moment shared between the characters and the reader, and I think when it's done well, this is such a beautiful thing. Great clarity on a subject which is usually explained rather vaguely.

As always you come through for us poor struggling beginners. Coin rolling is one of my symbolisms and used by my protagonist who was abused as a child. While locked in a cellar he mastered the steeplechase representing tenacity. As an adult he frequently resorts to it during periods of stress. A butterffly is my motif and appears throughout the story in a variety of ways. It stands for freedom as well as the soulmate he is searching for. Thank you for an excellent post.

I think this can be an area of confusion for so many of us. Great post, Angela! I write fantasy and use a lot of symbolism throughout. Your post is concise and. The thistle is also the national flower of Scotland, so there are layers of symbolism there beyond the personal that I think are even more significant to the film.

I certainly use symbols and they tend to appear naturally through the writing--I don't set out to use a symbol or motif and them look for places to put it. They just materialize and gel and then I can reinforce them as I continue to write and revise.

When I'm reading I love subtle symbols and motifs, the kind that, on multiple readings, you discover more and more of. But I don't like it when the symbols are too obvious because the author worried you wouldn't catch it.

To me, symbols and motifs are a gift to the close reader. I know some people pre-plan, but I think there's a bit of magic in letting the deeper layers of our minds allow things to bubble up, and often they might by symbols we would have never though of had we tried to force it.

Loved everything about this post, Angela. She writes historical and speculative fiction from her home in western Nebraska and mentors authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors. Come test drive the free trial. Writing can be easier! I am trying to weave symbolism into my Southern Gothic horror short story for Fiction Writing class, and this helped give me an idea how. Thank you for sharing.

This isnt all symbolism. Should the symbolics be used to depict the exact current occurences or can I use them to help readers predict the upcoming, not to depict the immediate? Great article! Jane Eyre is one of my favorite classics. And symbolism is such an interesting topic!

Something to keep in mind when I write my next novel. Thank you for this great insight on symbolism. I was strong in English in school and remember how much emphasis was put on symbolism , including having to write papers that require the use of it and other literary devices.

Thank you for much needed reminders such as this! Sometimes it can be tough to get our brains around a conscious application of something the reader will need to ingest subconsciously. Have also used it in a storybook in an effective way, I think. LOVE this! A great learning tool for all writers. This is a great breakdown of symbolism too! I think symbolism are the light layers of fabric that keep the reader immersed in the story.

So glad you enjoyed the book! Excellent article, Katie. The symbolism I have right now is misdirected. And I need to get this book for sure. I love symbolism. Every character name I choose, I choose because of its meaning.

Colors too. It surprises me sometimes when I give a character a random name, then go look up the meaning and discover how perfectly it fits the character.

Thanks for this excellent breakdown of the ways to use symbolism. I agree that when symblolism is used effectively in a novel, it adds to the enjoyment of the story. But it makes the whole experience so much richer when it is. Nicely put, Katie. Thanks so much for having me today, ladies! And thanks for the kind words about the book, Becca.

So glad you enjoyed it! It kinda scared the poo out of me too. Such a well-written article, K. It makes me want to re-read the book again. Thanks for this excellent article. If symbols exist under the surface of the language maybe they penetrate our souls under the surface of our consciousness — which arguably has a deeper and more profound effect?

But otherwise, I totally agree. The power of symbolism is always in its subtlety. Accessed 5 Oct.