Symbolism

Symbolism is the use of a concrete object, image, character or action to stand for an idea larger than itself, so that the thing carries meaning beyond its literal job in the story.

Gatsby stands on the lawn and stretches his arms toward a small green light across the bay. It is a light on a dock, and it is also everything he wants. That double work is symbolism.

How it works

A symbol is a real thing in the story first. The green light is a navigation light. Its meaning comes from how the story handles it: who looks at it, when, and what they feel.

• Conventional symbols carry a meaning readers already know: a dove for peace, a storm for trouble.
• Private symbols build their meaning inside the story. A watch, a chipped cup or a locked drawer may mean nothing outside the book and everything inside it.

Using it well

The strongest symbols are not announced. The writer places the object, repeats it with variation and lets the reader do the joining. When a character stops to say "this ring is a symbol of our love", the symbol has been turned into a label.

A symbol also needs to work as a plain object. If a scene collapses once you remove the meaning, the object is a prop.

Why it matters to a writer or editor

An editor looks for two failures: the symbol that is never planted, so its meaning arrives out of nowhere, and the symbol that is explained. The fix for both is the same: trust concrete detail and repetition. See motif for the repeating image, allegory for the whole story that stands for something else, and show, don't tell for the principle underneath.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a symbol and a motif?

A symbol is a thing that stands for an idea. A motif is an image, phrase or situation that recurs. A recurring symbol is a motif, but a motif need not be a symbol.

Does the author have to intend a symbol?

No. Readers find symbols the author never planned, and that is fair if the text supports it. Planting one on purpose is still a craft choice.

What is an example of symbolism?

In The Great Gatsby, the green light at the end of Daisy's dock stands for Gatsby's longing and for the American dream of reaching what is just out of reach.