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In William Shakespeares As You Like It, all the main characters turn up sooner or later in the
plays principal locale, the Forest of Arden. As the action of the play unfolds, the forest becomes richly
symbolic, even though it remains a real forest. It is a place both of escape from and banishment from
civilization, with both the advantages and disadvantages which that involves; a place of freedom, a place
of transformation, moral regeneration, and reconciliation; and ultimately, a place from which one must
return. Like many literary symbols, the Forest of Arden both embodies universal suggestions of meaning
the forest as a place of escape from civilizationand takes on private significance from the way it is
treated in the story. When these conventional symbols are used, they reveal important thematic
considerations implied in the story.
Symbols often have multiple meanings. For example, in Charlotte Perkins Gilmans short story
The Yellow Wallpaper, the wallpaper itself is ugly and lacking in any artistic pattern. It becomes a
symbol not only of marital restrictions but also societys restrictions placed on women at the turn of the
twentieth century. Additionally, it symbolizes literally the trapped feelings experienced by Johns wife and
generally by all women.
Some conventional symbols are:
I.
Colors:
A. Red- immoral; the color of blood, passion, emotion, danger, or daring
B. Black- seen as a cold and negative aspect suggesting passivity, death, ignorance, or evil;
black hens and black cats are used in witchcraft
C. White- innocence, life, light, or enlightenment
D. Green- inexperience, new life, immaturity
E. Yellow- heat, maturity, rotting, decay
F. Blue- cool, calm, peace
G. Pink- innocence, femininity
H. Purple- royalty, bruising, pain
I. Brown- earth, ploughed land, soil; represents humility and poverty
II.
Nature:
A. Seasons
-
E. Water- life passing by, purity or washes away guilt; origin of life, maintenance of life, black
water = death
F. Birds
- Cuckoo- symbolizes jealousy and parasitism because it lays its eggs in
the nest of other birds; this also shows laziness
G. Moon (shapes/ phases of the moon)- changing shape and return to the same shape;
Moslems accompany the crescent with a star which an image of paradise
III.
IV.
Weather
A. Snow- blanket which obscures or covers
B. Fog/ Mist- prevents clear vision or thinking- represents isolation
C. Rain- sadness or despair; new life
D. Sun- heat, pressure, or enlightenment; happiness
E. Wind/ Storms- violent human emotions
V.
Animals
A. Dove- peace
B. Fox- slyness
C. Raven- death, destruction
D. Lion- pride
E. Peacock- pride
F. Mule- stubborn
G. Mouse- shyness
H. Hawk- predation
I. Snake- evil
J. Owl- wisdom
K. Salmon- instinct
L. Cats- servants of the underworld; cunning, forethought, ingenuity
VI.
VII.
Clothing:
A. Cape- or any circular garment or vestment with a hole in the middle suggests a celestial
symbolism. When a priest or nun withdraws from the world, they cover themselves in a
cape which symbolizes a withdrawal into oneself or into God
B. Cloak- a symbol of human trickery and the different personalities humans can assume
VIII.
Objects:
A. Chain- symbolizes the bond which connects Heaven and earth or ties together two
extremes or beings
B. Walls- barriers between people both physical and mental
C. Cavern- serves as an archetype of the maternal womb; in Greek belief the cavern
represents the world
IX.
X.
Setting
A. The forest- usually a place of evil or mystery
B. An isolated setting- alienation, loneliness or provincial thinking
C. A garden- paradise or a haven
D. A park- a place for retreat and renewal
E. The town- a place where rules are observed and people are on their best behavior
A frequent kind of symbol is the created or invented symbol. In The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, the
black box represents tradition (an invented symbol) and death (a traditional symbol). The flowers in
Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums symbolize the youth, health, and vitality which are so evident in
Elizas personality. Symbols add both depth of meaning and universality to literature. Once readers are
able to recognize the more conventional symbols and look for the created or ambiguous ones, literature
takes on new meaning and provides greater enjoyment.
Your assignment: Read The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck. In well-developed paragraph,
analyze the authors use of symbolism in the story. Focus on providing insight into the work as well as
examining the authors purpose in using symbolism.