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

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Tanvir Shameem

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