Literary terms · AP English Literature, AP English Language, SAT Reading and Writing, ACT Reading
Symbol
Symbol: An object, character, place or action that represents a larger idea beyond its literal meaning.
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What it means
A symbol works on two levels: it is a real thing in the text and it suggests something more. Symbols gain meaning through repetition, emphasis and context. A green light, a locked door or a recurring bird can come to stand for hope, secrecy or freedom because of how the text uses it.
Symbolic readings should be grounded in the text. If an object is mentioned once with no emphasis, calling it a symbol is usually a stretch.
Example
In a story, a mother keeps setting a place at the table for a son who has left home. The empty plate comes to symbolize her refusal to accept his absence.
On the exam
Explain how the text builds the symbol's meaning and how that meaning changes, especially at the ending.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- MotifA recurring image, idea, word or situation in a work that helps develop its themes.
- ImageryDescriptive language that appeals to the senses to create vivid experiences and convey meaning.
- ThemeA central insight about life or human experience that a literary work develops, stated as a claim about a topic.