Symbolism is the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. A symbol is an object, action, or idea that represents something other than itself, often of a more abstract nature. In literature symbols are often revealed by seasons, colors, animals, a reappearing object, etc…
The symbol may help to amplify the tone of a story or a poem. The English curriculum in the junior year challenges you to look for symbolism in you reading, inviting you to evaluate how the symbols help to reveal meaning in the written work. Consider the reoccurring objects and colors in The Catcher in the Rye; how do these objects assist in revealing understanding towards Holden and his conflict?
