Writing Tips
Great writers always seek different literary forms to express themselves. We find messages, perceptions and even confessions hidden behind words.
We are about to begin exploring writing in a more technical way and examining different paths to follow in the upcoming articles that will be posted in our Writer Library. These articles will include summaries and notes of the book Literature and the Writing Process (Tenth Edition) by Elisabeth McMahan, Susan X. Day, Robert Funk and Linda Coleman.
Imagery and Symbolism are important elements of serious imaginative literature. Those elements enhance the reader’s experiences, help us to create a vivid picture in our mind using descriptive language and bringing meaning to the text.
What is Imagery and what is Symbolism?
Images, according to the previously cited book, are words or phrases that appeal to the senses and often create a mental picture. Here are some different types of Images:
Visual - image of sight;
Auditory- images of sound;
Gustatory - images of taste;
Kinect - images of motion;
Thermal - images of temperature,
Tactile - images of touch.
Images enrich the narrative by describing vivid scenes and capturing the reader’s attention. They provide details that enhance the reader’s imagination, making a more immersive experience.
And what about symbols?
Symbols are repeated images that gather significance and seem to stand for something more than itself. It can be an object, character or event that represents a deep meaning that transfers the writer’s ideas or theme in a subtle way.
Some examples of symbolism
In Louise Erdrich’s The Red Convertible, the Old mobile represents the changing relationship between the narrator and his brother. In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak , Hans Hibermann’s accordion symbolizes comfort and humanity. The Mockingjay, in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins represents rebellion, resilience, and hope.
Archetypal Symbols
Some symbols in literature, like water and dust, are considered archetypal or universal. Water Is often associated with life and renewal, and its opposite– dryness or dust– is associated with death, suffering, etc. The circle, another example, has an image of wholeness and perfection. These symbols are considered universal because they convey similar meanings in many cultures.
How to recognize symbols?
To recognize symbols, look for repetition and placement of certain elements in the story, the image of an object in specific parts or patterns that are following the narrative progression. Symbols can be even in the title of the work.
There are many ways to recognize a symbol, although it can be complex, since they can have various meanings, following different parts of the book and character’s development.
In the book Literature and the Writing Process, an example of symbolism is provided in John Steinbeck’s The Chrysanthemums:
“[...] John Steinbeck's The Chrysanthemums clearly intends the title flowers to be a central symbol. As a yonic image, their connection to Eliza, the female protagonist, is obvious. At first, the flowers reflect Eliza’s strengths and abilities, but as we learn more about her and her interactions with the men in the story, their symbolic meaning expands… [...]”
Imagery and Symbolism brings deeper meaning and a stronger connection between the story and the reader, and makes the narrative clearer and richer. Authors can express their ideas in multiple ways, allowing readers to interpret different perspectives and perceptions.This is one of the reasons why reading can be so meaningful– it has the power of changing our vision and understanding the world around us.