Symbol

A symbol is anything which stands for or denotes something else, not by exact resemblance, but by vague suggestion or statement. Symbols are of two types:

1. Universal/conventional/traditional/public symbol.
2. Private/personal symbol.

 The functions of  symbols are as follows:

• Symbols are oblique or indirect means of communication.
• Symbolic words are not merely connotative, but also evocative and emotive.
• Symbolic words convey a deeper/inner meaning along with their surface meaning, generally an abstract idea, principle, or quality.
• A single word can be used to express several associated ideas and images, and evoke certain emotional responses. For instance, the word “rose” merely connotes a flower but it may be employed by a writer to evoke associated thoughts of beauty, delicacy or even pride or violence, and at the same time the emotional overtones of admiration, love, compassion or even anger and jealousy.
• Through symbols a writer can express much more than by the use of ordinary words.
• Symbols make the language rich and expressive.
• Symbols help the writer to convey concepts which are inexpressible by their very nature. Thus a symbol can be used to convey abstract and metaphysical truths.

Tags : literary terms literature basics symbol symbolism

Tanvir Shameem

Tanvir Shameem is not the biggest fan of teaching, but he is doing his best to write on various topics of language and literature just to guide thousands of students and researchers across the globe. You can always find him experimenting with presentation, style and diction. He will contribute as long as time permits. You can find him on:

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