What is symbolism, and can you identify it in a passage?

What is symbolism, and can you identify it in a passage?

• A. Symbolism uses objects or actions to represent larger ideas; identify recurring symbols and their associated ideas.
• B. Symbolism refers to literal descriptions only.
• C. Symbolism is the narrator's biases.
• D. Symbolism is always a metaphor.

Answer: (A)

Symbolism means a writer uses objects or actions to stand for bigger ideas beyond what they literally describe. To spot it in a passage, look for things that show up more than once and think about what larger idea those symbols might represent for the overall message or theme. The best choice captures both parts: it defines symbolism as using objects or actions to represent larger ideas and then points you to identify recurring symbols and their associated ideas. The other descriptions miss the concept: they either focus on literal descriptions, talk about the narrator’s biases, or claim symbolism is always a metaphor, which isn’t always the case.

Symbolism means a writer uses objects or actions to stand for bigger ideas beyond what they literally describe. To spot it in a passage, look for things that show up more than once and think about what larger idea those symbols might represent for the overall message or theme.

The best choice captures both parts: it defines symbolism as using objects or actions to represent larger ideas and then points you to identify recurring symbols and their associated ideas. The other descriptions miss the concept: they either focus on literal descriptions, talk about the narrator’s biases, or claim symbolism is always a metaphor, which isn’t always the case.