Symbolism - Writers Forum

Banzai · 07-26-2006, 04:20 PM

Hey everyone

I was wondering, do any of you actively try to put symbolism into your stories? To reinforce themes, characters or whatever? Because I'm trying to put symbolism into my story, but am not sure how to go about it. Should it just happen in the course of writing, or should it be intentionally inserted? Any help would be very much appreciated

Red Misery · 07-26-2006, 04:24 PM

Erm, I think it is debatable whether or not you should intentionally put symbolism into your story. Usually people will find it if they look hard enough, even if you intended to have none, but if you want symbolism in a piece of your writing to get a message across then do it. Someone told me once that symbolism can date a piece and reduce it's shelf life, and so you have to be careful.

Erm, you don't have to listen to my ramblings.. I'm new to this!

Anne Lacey · 07-26-2006, 06:03 PM

Because of the type of story I'm writing at the moment, yes, lots of symbollism. It is essential to the story. But in every story? No. It depends.

FrankBlissett · 07-26-2006, 07:28 PM

I write mostly poetry, and there it's often par-for-the-course. On the other hand, I've writen many poems without any deep meaning (to me) and had others read quite profound meaning into them.

I've no problem with writers intentionally including symbolism. Just don't ram it down the reader's throat and it won't be a problem.

-Frank

Aevin · 07-26-2006, 08:41 PM

I started writing a story, and only later realized the depths to which I was being symbolic. I picked up on it, then used it more intentionally from then on. For example, a character acts as a personification for imagination, two others as abstracts for love and hate, and the entire story could really be read as an allegory.

I'd say ... Try writing for awhile until you get a good feel for your themes, then see if it makes sense to use symbolism. Above all, make sure most symbolism isn't directly explained, but left inobtrusively for a reader to figure out on their own.

cindyfreire · 08-02-2006, 01:52 AM

If you want to add symbolism to your work, you must first think about what it is you want to say. Once you know that, the symbolism should come naturally. Get a feel for metaphors and take them one step further, aiming at specific ideas. Then try to mix them up a bit and see what happens.

Hodge · 08-02-2006, 02:20 AM

Language itself is built on symbolic interactions, and our subconscious learns things through symbols. Symbolism will be in your piece whether you like it or not because you don't control what your mother loving, father hating, phallus obsessed subconscious mind does.

Kamisama · 08-02-2006, 06:49 AM

Symbolism helps create an implied thesis. Figurative language makes things interesting. A woman goes camping and see an enchinda lay eggs. Later on, the woman becomes pregnant and has an abortion. Or maybe she decided to take a contraceptive. Maybe she becomes more wicked later on in the story. Possibilities exist, but the symbolism must be smooth, not forced.

bob rulz · 08-02-2006, 06:58 PM

Agreed with all said above. I see no problem with intentionally including symbolism in a story. Even if you don't intentionally put symbolism into a story, some people will find it. A lot of the times writers will write in characters or events that are unintentionally symbolic. In fact, depending on the person reading, every story is probably symbolic in some way or another. So, in short, intentionally writing in symbolism isn't a bad thing. I like it when they're trying to convey a message (at least, as long as it's one I agree with).