symbol,+symbolism


 * Symbol/Symbolism** [**sim**-b//uh//[[image:http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png]]l][[image:http://webster.com/images/audio.gif width="16" height="11" link="http://webster.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?symbol01.wav=symbol"]][|hear it again]

Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else. Usually s symbol is something concrete--such as an object, action, character, or scene-that represents something more abstract. However, symbols and symbolism can be much more complex. One system classifies symbols into three categories: (1) Natural symbols: objects and occurrences from nature to symbolize ideas commonly associated with them (dawn symbolizing hope or a new beginning, a rose symbolizing love, a tree symbolizing knowledge). (2) Conventional symbols: those that have been invested with meaning by a group (religious symbols such as a cross of Star of David; national symbols such as a flag or eagle; or group symbols such as a skull and crossbones for pirates or the scale of justice for lawyers). (3) Literary symbols: also conventional in the sense that they are found in a variety of works and are more generally recognized. However, a work’s symbols may be more complicated, as is the jungle in Heart of Darkness. On the AP exam, try to determine what abstraction an object is a symbol for and to what extent it is successful in representing that abstraction.

1. In the //Lord of the Flies// by William Golding, the boys are forsaken on an island in the middle of nowhere. Because they must use their own means of survival, the boys’ ravenous behaviors come through. While trying to start a fire, the boys see a large black “beast” in the trees and decide they are going to band together and kill the beast. Jack later says, “‘Maybe there is a beast....maybe it's only us.’” In this case, the beast symbolizes the malicious actions of the boys while on the island. 2. In the novel //To Kill a Mockingbird// by Harper Lee, the mockingbird symbolizes anyone who is judged for unfair reasons, such as the color of their skin or family background. Miss Maudie Atkinson tells Scout and Jem that “mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
 * Literary Examples:**

"Lord of the Flies: Quotes." //Book Rags Book Notes//. 2006. Book Rags, Inc.. 27 Sep 2007 . "Symbol." //Webster//. 2007. Merriam-Webster, Inc.. 27 Sep 2007 . "To Kill A Mockingbird: Top Ten Quotes." //Novel Guide//. 2007. 27 Sep 2007 .
 * Attributions:**

tpatton