Conventional Symbols in Literature - Syllabus



Conventional Symbols in LiteratureA symbol is a setting, object, character, or event in a story that carries more than the literal meaning and therefore represents something significant to understanding the meaning of a work of literature. In other words symbols always have a literal (concrete) meaning and a figurative (abstract) meaning. Conventional symbols have a previously agreed upon meaning. Example:SERPENTLiteral meaning: A serpent is a slithering reptile that hissesSymbolic meaning: the devil, especially the devil’s aspect of deceit and deceptionConventional source: Genesis, the Garden of EdenSome conventional symbols are as follows:COLORSRed: blood, passion, emotion, danger, or daringBlack: passivity, death, evilWhite: innocence, purity, lightGreen: new life, fertility, hopeYellow: caution, decay, decrepitude, old age Blue: peace, serenity, eternityPink : innocence, femininityPurple : royaltyBrown : earth, soil, humility and povertyOrange : heat, sunGold: riches, sacrednessNATURESpring: birth, new beginningSummer: maturity, knowledgeAutumn: decline, nearing death, growing oldWinter: death, sleep, hibernation, or stagnationChristmas season: birth, change for the betterEaster season: rebirth, enlightenmentDawn: illumination, hopeLight: truth, safety, warmth, knowledgeDarkness: evil, ignorance, dangerApple: temptation, loss of innocenceWeeds : evil, wildness/outcasts of societyFlowers: beauty, youth, strength, gentlenessRose: budding youth, romanceWater: purification, cleansingEvergreen tree: immortalityWEATHERFog/Mist: isolation; confusion, obscurityRain: sadness or despair Wind and storms: violent human emotionsLightning : power and strengthMorning : purity and promiseRainbows : heralds of good fortune, heavenThunder : God’s wrath, punishmentANIMALSDove : peace, purity, simplicityFox: slyness, clevernessRaven: death, destruction, impending doom Lion: strength, power, authorityPeacock: pride, vanityMouse : shyness, meeknessHawk : sharp, keen eyesightOwl : wisdomCats : cunning, forethought, and ingenuityLamb : sacrifice element, the children of GodEagle: freedomDonkey: humility, patience, stupidityBuzzard/Vulture: warning of impending deathCLOTHINGCape: withdrawal into oneself or into God.Cloak: human trickeryMask: demonic tendencies SETTINGSForest: usually a place of evil or mysteryDesert: isolation: alienation, lonelinessGarden: paradise of a havenWindow: freedom or lack thereofDoor: opportunityPark: a place for retreat and renewalOBJECTSSkull: deathCrown: wealthRing: long-term commitmentAxe: battle, workBelt: protection, chastityCandle: light in the darknessCircle: wholeness, perfectionFire: Hell; pain, deathPearl: incorruptibility Sword: protection, strengthACTIONSKiss: friendship, fellowship, intimacyJourney: the call of fate, adventureNUMBERSZero (0): the ultimate mystery; nothingnessThree (3): tripartite nature of the world; signifies fulfillmentConsider: Holy Trinity; 3: beginning, middle, end; past, present, and future; Five (5): human perfectionConsider: Five senses, five fingers on each hand, five toes on each foot, five wounds of JesusSeven (7): totality; divine abundanceConsider: Seven days of creation, seven days of the week, seven sacraments, seven deadly sinsTwelve (12) universal fulfillmentConsider: Twelve tribes of Israel, Twelve Apostles, twelve days of Christmas, 12 months in a yearForty (40): penance, purificationConsider: 40 days of lent, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, the Jews wandered the desert for forty years, Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai, the Great Flood was caused by 40 days of rain ................
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