Using Symbolism in your Story

By georgelthomas on 11 Jul 2023 • ( 0 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today I am talking about symbolism and, more specifically, how you can use it in your own writing.

Using Symbolism in Your Story

What is Symbolism?

In literature, symbolism is used to give objects or characters meaning beyond their literal purpose.

For example, a character might carry around a dagger as a weapon. However, the dagger could also symbolise something else like betrayal.

Symbolism can be an incredible tool for giving depth to your work, though to use it effectively, you should be mindful of all the varied meanings symbols can hold.

Some Common Symbols that are Often Used in Literature Include:

Daggers
Roses
Hearts
Keys
Birds
Water
Light
Fire

Each of these symbols can have a different meaning depending on the context in which they are used. For instance, as stated above, a dagger might well symbolise betrayal, but it could also symbolise courage or strength. It all depends on how the writer uses it.

Here are Some Tips on How to Use Symbolism Effectively in Your Writing:

1 Choose Symbols that are Significant to your Story
Ensure that the symbols you choose actually add something to your story, or they could feel like randomly placed objects. It might be helpful to brainstorm a list of symbols you could use and then think about how and where they might be placed in your piece.

2 Remember that Symbolism is Subjective
Readers may interpret your symbols differently than you intended, and that’s okay. Embrace the ambiguity and allow readers to bring their own interpretations to your writing.

3 Use Symbols Sparingly
If you overdo it with the symbolism, it can start to feel contrived or like a gimmick and take away from the overall impact of your story. With symbolism, subtlety is key.

4 Make Sure your Symbolism is Clear
Your readers should be able to understand and follow the symbolism you are using without you having to explain it to them, or else your message could be missed, or you might confuse your readers.

5 Be Mindful of Cultural Context
Certain symbols may have different meanings or connotations depending on the cultural background of your readers. Do your research and make sure your symbols are appropriate and respectful.

Whether you’re writing a novel, short story, or poem, symbolism can help bring your words to life and leave a lasting impression on your readers, and if you keep all these things in mind, you can use it to add depth and meaning to your work.

I hope you found this post helpful and as always, thank you so much for reading my words. I appreciate your time.

Until next time,

George