Symbolism

Significance of symbols: Symbolism is an important literary movement that emphasizes the use of symbols as a means of communication between the author and the reader. Understanding the significance of symbols is essential in decoding the hidden meanings in literature.

Mythic and archetypal characters: Symbolists often use mythic and archetypal characters to represent universal concepts such as death, rebirth, and transformation. Understanding these characters provides a deeper insight into the themes and motifs of symbolism.

Allegory: Symbolism frequently employs allegory as a means of expressing ideas, as the characters and situations in the writing are intended to correspond to larger concepts outside the surface narrative.

Synesthesia and the interplay of the senses: Symbolists often aim to covey sensations rather than images, mixing sensory experiences and describing them in a way that evokes novel connections for the reader.

Divergence from realism: The Symbolist movement was a reaction against the constraints of Realism, embracing personal and subjective forms of truth, and inspired often by things which can't see, smell, or feel.

Decadence: Symbolism is sometimes seen as an outgrowth of the Decadent movement, a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, emphasizing sensation, sensuality and a rejection of societal and literary norms.

Mythos: Many writers of the Symbolist movement drew inspiration from classical myths and folklore, and sought to capture the transcendent and supernatural nature of these ancient stories.

Metaphor and Simile: Symbolism emphasizes the use of metaphorical and simile-laden language, allowing authors to express complex ideas and emotions through non-literal means.

The fantastic, supernatural, and dream-like: Many symbolist texts aim to convey a mood or feeling that is surreal, otherworldly, or fantastical, seeking to capture the ambiguity of experience.

The Interplay of Music and Language: In an attempt to express sensory experiences, the Symbolists embraced the musicality of language, creating written pieces that read more like music than traditional prose or poetry.

Allegory: Uses a story, a poem, or even an image to convey a message or moral lesson.

Archetypes: Refers to original patterns or models.

Mythology: A set of myths or stories that represent a culture's beliefs or attitudes towards life, death, and the natural world.

Metaphor: A figure of speech used to compare two things that are different in nature but have some similarities.

Motifs: Recurring ideas or themes that are present throughout a book or story.

Color Symbolism: Colors are used to convey different emotions or meanings.

Animal Symbolism: Animals are used to represent certain qualities or attributes.

Religious Symbolism: Symbols are used to represent different religions or religious beliefs.

Nature Symbolism: Natural elements are used to represent different ideas or emotions.

Numerical Symbolism: Numbers are used to convey different meanings or ideas.