Symbolism in fiction is one of the most powerful literary devices used by writers to add depth, meaning, and emotional impact to their stories. When done well, symbolism in novels can elevate a narrative, providing readers with layers of interpretation and a richer understanding of characters, themes, and plots. However, incorporating symbolism in fiction can be challenging for writers who want to avoid becoming too obvious or, conversely, too obscure. Today at What We Writing, we’ll explore how to use literary symbolism techniques to enhance your writing effectively. We’ll break down how to incorporate symbols that resonate with readers. Whether you’re a veteran author or just starting out as a writer, understanding symbolism in storytelling can help you craft more compelling narratives. Let’s dive into the world of literary devices and symbolism and learn how to do it right!
What Is Symbolism In Fiction?
Symbolism in fiction refers to the use of an object, character, or event that represents something beyond its literal meaning. Rather than simply serving a practical purpose in the story, symbols carry deeper significance, often connecting to the themes, emotions, or moral lessons of the narrative. This technique adds layers to a story, encouraging readers to ponder more on the meaning behind the words on the page.
While symbolism and metaphors are closely related, they aren’t quite the same thing. A metaphor directly compares one thing to another (e.g. “The world is a stage”), whereas symbols stand for something else indirectly. A symbol can be a physical object, a place, or even a character that represents something broader such as hope, death, or freedom. For example, a green light in The Great Gatsby doesn’t just signify a light on a dock – it represents Gatsby’s unobtainable dreams, his longing for Daisy, and the elusive realities of the American Dream.
Common symbols in the literature include:
- The green light in The Great Gatsby: A beacon of Gatsby’s dreams and hopes, symbolising both aspiration and the unattainable.
- The mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird: A symbol of innocence and goodness, representing the idea that it is a sin to harm something pure and defenceless.
- The white whale in Moby-Dick: A symbol of obsession, the destructive power of vengeance, and humanity’s battle against the unknown.
In these examples, the symbols do much more than just describe – they ignite ideas, evoke emotions, and reflect the central themes of each story. By using symbols effectively, writers can transform simple objects or characters into something much more meaningful, enhancing the overall depth and impact of their story.
Why Symbolism Matters In Fiction
Symbolism in novels plays a vital role in adding depth and complexity to a story. By using symbols, authors can layer additional meanings into their work, inviting readers to look beyond the surface of the narrative and engage with its deeper implications. A well-chosen symbol can conjure powerful feelings, highlight key themes, or reveal something fundamental about a character’s journey. Rather than simply telling readers what’s happening, symbolism allows writers to show the heart of their stories in a more nuanced way.
Symbols can represent larger themes that drive the plot, such as the clash between good and evil, love and loss, or freedom and oppression. For example, in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the changing nature of the animals’ rebellion is symbolised by the alteration of the phrase “All animals are equal,” reflecting the pivot from utopian ideals to totalitarian rule. In this way, symbols embody the larger political themes present in the book.
Character arcs are often deeply intertwined with symbolism, as characters can be represented by certain objects or ideas that reflect their growth, struggles, or inner conflict. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield’s red hunting hat serves as a symbol of his desire for individuality and protection from the adult world. As Holden’s journey develops, the significance of the hat changes, mirroring his emotional state.
Symbols are also able to convey emotional states, often depicting what characters can’t say in words alone. For instance, the recurring image of the fog in Great Expectations symbolises the confusion and uncertainty in Pip’s life, mirroring his internal struggles as he navigates through his guilt, ambitions and desires.
Benefits of Using Symbolism
For writers, using symbolism offers several important benefits:
- Creating depth: Symbols can help explore complex ideas and emotions without needing to explain them explicitly, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
- Enhancing themes: A well-placed symbol can reinforce a central theme in a story, making it resonate more strongly with a reader.
- Engaging readers on a deeper level: Symbols invite readers to look closely at the text and explore its meaning beyond the plot. This deeper engagement can make a story more memorable and thought-provoking.
Ultimately, symbolism enriches the reading experience, turning a simple narrative into something with layers of meaning that continue to unfold long after the story has ended.
How To Use Symbolism In Your Writing
Using symbolism effectively in your writing can add a powerful layer of meaning to your work; however, it’s important to approach it with care. When done correctly, symbols can enhance your story’s themes and emotional resonance. But, there are a few key considerations to bear in mind to guarantee your symbolism feels intentional, cohesive, and impactful.
1. Don’t Overdo It
One of the most common mistakes writers make when using symbolism is overloading their story with too many symbols. While symbols make for a great tool for adding depth, too many of them can overwhelm the reader and dilute their effectiveness. Instead, focus on a few, well-chosen symbols that serve the story’s central themes or character arcs. Each symbol should have its own clear, constant meaning that ties back to the core narrative. When in doubt, less is often more.
2. Ensure Consistency
A symbol should maintain its meaning throughout the story. If a symbol is introduced as representing one idea, it’s important that it doesn’t shift unexpectedly unless there is a good reason for it to do so – such as a character’s growth or a plot twist. Inconsistent symbolism can confuse readers and undermine the emotional impact you’re attempting to craft. Consistency in your symbols ensures they support and deepen the narrative, rather than distracting from it.
3. Fit the Symbol to the Theme
Symbols should feel natural to the story and mirror the core themes and messaging at its heart. When choosing a symbol, consider how it aligns with your narrative. For example, if your story explores the theme of freedom, you may opt for an image of open skies, wings, or an unlocked door to represent that concept. If the theme is about the inevitability of death, something like withered flowers or a ticking clock could work. The symbol should feel connected to the emotional or thematic core of the story. A symbol that doesn’t fit the theme or appears forced will feel out of place, and your readers will notice.
4. Balancing Subtly and Directness
Subtlety and directness are key elements when using symbolism in your writing. Some symbols work best when they are subtle, allowing readers to uncover their meaning gradually over the span of a story. For example, a seemingly ordinary object or event can take on a greater significance as the plot unfolds, encouraging the reader to dig deeper into the layers of the narrative. On the other hand, some symbols may need to be more direct, especially if they are important to the theme or character development. The key is to strike a balance – too much subtlety may leave readers confused, while too much directness can make the symbolism feel heavy-handed or too obvious.
5. Symbols That Evolve with the Story
Symbols can take on new layers of meaning as your story progresses. As characters change, the symbols associated with them may evolve as well. This dynamic use of symbolism creates a sense of progression and deepens the emotional stakes of a story. For example, if a character starts with a symbol of hope – such as a cherished photograph – and over time, that symbol transitions into a symbol of loss or disillusionment, it underscores their emotional journey. This evolving symbolism can help mirror character development and demonstrate shifts in tone or theme.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
While symbolism can be a powerful tool in fiction, it’s easy to fall into certain traps that can weaken its effectiveness. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when using symbols in your writing:
1. Being Too Obvious
One of the biggest mistakes writers make is being too on-the-nose with their symbolism. When a symbol is too explicit or clearly explained, it loses its power to provoke thought and engage readers. Instead of allowing the symbol to work subtly, you wind up spoon-feeding the reader its meaning. This can come across as preachy.
Example to Avoid: If a character holds a symbolic object such as a clock, and a passage reads: “The ticking represented how time was running for John’s chance at redemption,” it’s overly direct. A better approach would be to weave the clock into the background, letting the reader recognise its connection to the theme of time or mortality without being directly told.
2. Using Too Many Symbols
While it can be tempting to load your story with multiple symbols to enhance its themes, this can often have the opposite effect. Too many symbols can overwhelm the reader, diluting their impact and making it harder to focus on the core themes of the story. It can also create confusion as readers may struggle to understand the significance of each symbol and how they all tie together.
Example to Avoid: Imagine a story where every object, character or location is associated with a symbol – rain represents sadness, birds represent freedom, clocks represent time, and so on. Each symbol competes for the reader’s attention, leaving very little room for deeper interpretation. Instead, limit yourself to a few well-chosen symbols that are neatly connected to your themes and character arcs.
3. Using Symbols That Feel Out of Place
A symbol needs to feel organic to the story. If it doesn’t fit the world you’ve created or seems arbitrary, it can feel jarring and take readers away from the experience. Symbols should emerge naturally from the narrative and character, not just tossed in for the sake of having one. When a symbol feels out of place, it may seem contrived or forced.
Example to Avoid: In a realistic, grounded story about a struggling single parent, suddenly introducing a mysterious, magical object that represents hope would feel out of place. If the story is rooted in realism, the symbol needs to reflect the themes of that world – perhaps an object tied to the parent’s past or a significant personal memory as opposed to something fantastical.
4. Overloading the Symbolism with Meaning
Sometimes writers can attempt to cram too much meaning into a single symbol, attempting to cover all possible interpretations. While a symbol can be multi-layered, overloading it can make the symbol lose its clarity and effectiveness. Instead of representing one strong idea, the symbol becomes muddled, and readers may miss the core message.
Example to Avoid: If a character wears a red scar that represents love, danger, and rebellion, it may become too complex for the reader to process. Whilst it is fine to have a symbol that can be interpreted in various ways, it’s important to ensure that the different meanings don’t compete or cause confusion about the symbol’s true significance in the context of the story.
5. Neglecting the Development of the Symbol
Symbols should evolve alongside the characters and plot. Neglecting to develop the symbol as the story progresses can make it feel stagnant or underutilised. Symbols that don’t grow or change throughout the narrative lose their power to reflect character arcs or thematic shifts.
Example to Avoid: If you introduce a symbol, such as a worn-out journal representing a character’s memories, but fail to reference or develop that symbol over time, it becomes irrelevant. Readers may forget about it, and it won’t serve its intended purpose of deepening the character’s journey or reflecting their emotional transformation.
6. Forgetting to Connect Symbols to the Story’s Themes
A symbol should always connect to the story’s core themes. If a symbol feels disconnected from the larger message or character arc, it can feel random or pointless. Ensure that your symbols are carefully selected to reinforce the emotional journey or message you want your readers to take away from the story.
Example to Avoid: In a story about a character wrestling with self-identity, introducing a symbol such as a soaring eagle may feel disconnected from the character’s internal struggles. Instead, choosing a symbol that aligns with the character’s grapples, such as a cracked mirror, would provide a far more fitting visual representation of their self-discovery and internal fragmentation.
Wrap Up
In conclusion, symbolism is powerful and, when used thoughtfully and effectively, has the potential to elevate a story and heighten a reader’s emotional response. Whether it’s an object, a colour, a place, or an event, symbols can add layers of meaning, tie together themes, and illuminate characters’ emotional journeys. By connecting symbols to your story’s core themes, experimenting with different forms, and maintaining subtlety, you can conjure up symbols that resonate with your audience and further your narrative.
Remember, the key to successful symbolism lies in balance – use it to enhance your story, not overshadow it. Avoid common mistakes such as being too obvious or overloading your narrative with unnecessary symbols. Instead, focus on a few well-chosen symbols that feel natural to the story and its characters.
Don’t be afraid to try new ideas and see where symbolism takes your story!