Symbolism

Personification
Simile Metaphor
Imagery
Aural imagery
•Alliteration Symbol
•Assonance
•Onomatopoeia

symbols are objects used to
represent other things or
ideas.

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In literature, symbols are
‘full’ or ‘dense’ with
meaning and are used to
develop themes and
atmosphere in the text.

Recognising the Signs
•Frequency of use in the text
•Descriptive detail afforded to it
•Images shared across the author’s works
•Images shared across the genre
•Images shared by the time period

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio:
a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.
He hath borne me on his back a thousand times;
and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is!
My gorge rises at it.

Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but
unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with
thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's
sake I spit my last breath at thee.

And I had done an hellish thing,
And it would work 'em woe :
For all averred, I had killed the bird
That made the breeze to blow.
Ah wretch ! said they, the bird to slay,
That made the breeze to blow !

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming.
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted---nevermore!

The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost