Symbolism and Allegory



Symbolism and Allegory

Both are keys to extending meaning

Function of Symbol

Symbolism is derived from a Greek word meaning “to throw together” (syn, together, and ballein, to throw).

In literature, a symbol pulls or draws together

1. a specific thing with

2. ideas, values, persons, or ways of life, into a direct relationship that normally would not be apparent.

In a literary work a symbol is usually a person, thing, place, action, group, art work, or situation.

It has its own independent identity and may function at an ordinary level of reality within a work.

Two Types of Symbols

Universal or cultural symbols=could operate independently of the work

Example: Water as a symbol of life. A fountain may represent hopeful life, while a stagnant pool may symbolize the pollution of life.

Contextual, private, or authorial symbols=depend on the work to operate

Example: The standing clock in the red and black room in Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” is used to symbolize the sinister and inevitable forces of death.

Determining What is Symbolic

To test whether something is a symbol, you need to judge whether it consistently refers beyond itself to a significant idea, emotion, or quality.

If the thing appears particularly prominent and also maintains a constancy of meaning, you may justify it as a symbol.

Example: There are many mentions of the canary and comparisons between the canary and Minnie Wright in the play Trifles; this results in justification of the canary as a symbol of joy or perhaps a more youthful and joyous Minnie Wright.

Definition & Function of Allegory

Allegory is like a symbol in that both use one thing to refer to something else.

The term is derived from the Greek word allegorein, which means “to speak so as to imply other than what is said.”

Allegory is really sustained symbolism.

An allegory is to a symbol as a motion picture is to a still picture.

allegory symbol

↓ ↓

motion picture still picture

An allegory is a complete and self-sufficient narrative, but it also signifies another series of events or conditions.

While some works are allegories from beginning to end, many works that are not allegories may nevertheless contain brief sections or episodes that are allegorical.

Allegorical method may have resulted as a realization that learning and memorizing stories is easier than memorizing moral lessons or perhaps as a result of censorship.

Authors may have expressed their views indirectly in the form of allegory rather than to write directly.

Determining the Nature and Application of Allegory

As you study a work, you should determine how either an entire narrative or a brief episode may be construed as having an extended, allegorical meaning.

Example Star Wars:

Allegory of good versus evil

Obi Wan Kenobi (intelligence/wisdom) enlists the help of

Luke Skywaker (heroism, boldness) and instructs him in the

Force (moral or religious faith). Thus armed and guided, Skywalker opposes the powers of

Darth Vader (evil) to rescue

Princess Leia (purity and goodness) with the aid of the latest

spaceship and weaponry (technology)

• Jason sails the ship Argo to gain the Golden Fleece (those who take risks are rewarded)

• Bellerophon rides the Pegasus to slay the monster Chimera (both real and imagined fears can be overcome if they are confronted and attacked)

• Beowulf saves the kingdom by killing Grendel and his monstrous mother (victory comes to those who rely on the forces of good).

• Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress tells how the hero Christian overcomes difficulties and temptations to reach the Heavenly City (belief, perseverance, and resistance to temptation will save the faithful).

• Dante must travel through the nine circles of hell guided by Virgil and inspired by Beatrice before he can climb Satan’s back to escape is an allegory about relying on intelligence and divine inspiration to recognize, face, and reject evil and sin.

Writing about Symbolism and Allegory

For symbols, a two-column chart often is helpful in determining the relationship between a symbol and its meaning:

|Qualities or Facts Concerning the Canary |Comparable Qualities in Minnie or Parallel Actions |

|Would sing |Minnie used to sing |

|Colorful |Minnie wore colorful vibrant clothes |

|Would bring Minnie joy |Minnie was joyous in her younger days prior to marrying John Wright |

|Canary was strangled to death by John Wright |Minnie’s joy was killed by her 30 years of marriage to John Wright |

The analysis of figuring out an allegory or allegorical passage can be aided with a diagram of parallel lines or boxes.

|Luke Skywalker |Obi Wan Kenobi |Darth Vader |Princess Leia |Capture |Escape, and defeat of |

| | | | | |Vader |

|Forces of Good |Education and faith |Forces of evil |Object to be saved, |Doubt, spiritual |Restoration of faith |

| | | |ideals to be rescued |negligence | |

| | | |and restored | | |

|Individual in pursuit |The means by which |Obstacles to be |Occupation, happiness, |Temporary failure, |Success |

|of goals |goals may be reached |overcome |goals |depression, | |

| | | | |discouragement, | |

| | | | |disappointment | |

Possible Approaches to Writing

1. The meaning of a major symbol

2. The development and relationship of symbols

3. The application and meaning of the allegory

4. The consistency of the allegory

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download