Raparin University

College of Basic Education

REPORT ABOUT

Symbolism in poetry
Supervised by: Aram Omar

Prepared By: Bezhan Ibrahim Muhamadamin

2022-2023
Table of Content

ABSTRACT………………………………………...2

Introduction ……………………………..…………2

Definitions of Symbolism.................................3

Comparison............................................................4

Common Symbols................................................5

Conclusion………………………………………………6

References……………………………………………7
Abstract
In this report we talk symbolism in poetry what is symbolic and its examples for better
understanding and explain in simple way.

Introduction
A symbol is a person, object, place, event, or action that suggests more than its
literal meaning. In poetry, symbols can be categorized as conventional, something
that is generally recognized to represent a certain idea (i.e., a “rose” conventionally
symbolizes romance, love, or beauty); in addition, symbols can be categorized as
contextual or literary, something that goes beyond a traditional, public meaning (i.e.,
“night” conventionally symbolizes darkness, death, or grief; contextually it
symbolizes other possibilities such as loneliness, isolation, fear, or emptiness).
Whereas conventional symbols are used in poetry to convey tone and meaning,
contextual or literary symbols reflect the internal state of mind of the speaker as
revealed through the images.
Definitions of Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities."he has always believed in the
importance of symbolism in garden art"

an artistic and poetic movement or style using symbolic images and indirect
suggestion to express mystical ideas, emotions, and states of mind. It originated in
late 19th-century France and Belgium, with important figures including Mallarmé,
Maeterlinck, Verlaine, Rimbaud, and Redon.
Symbolism
An object that represents something other than itself
And Helps the reader better understand the deeper
Or "hidden" meaning
Just as characterization, dialogue, and plot work on the surface to move the story
along, symbolism works under the surface to tie the storv's external action to the
theme.
Comparison
In order to have a better understanding of how poems are written, it is important to
review the use of direct and indirect comparison. The literary term for a direct
comparison is simile or a comparison with the words like, as, as if, or as though; the term
for an indirect comparison is metaphor. Simile and metaphor are used to compare two
things that are not similar and shows that they have something in common, as illustrated
in the following examples:
• Life is like a box of chocolates. This is a simile and suggests there are choices to make
in life and one doesn't always know what to expect from a decision.
Time is money. This is a metaphor and warns you that time is not infinite and whenever
you expend time, you are making an investment that should be of value.
O my luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June;
O my luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.
In these lines from a poem by Robert Burns "love" is compared to "a red, red rose,"
which suggests passion and intimacy. The woman loved by the speaker of the poem is
like a "melody" in that she is sweet and harmonious, yet there is a gentle reminder that a
melody can also be brief and fleeting
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players
Thev have their exits and their entrances.
And one man in his time plavs manv narts.
In this monologue from William Shakespeare's As You Like It, the "world" is compared
to "a stage"; however, it is not stating the world is "like" a stage with people playing
roles, etc. but rather that the world "is" a stage, which opens the door to the imagination--
to see what has not
Been seen berore.
Common symbols
As English poetry has developed over hundreds of years, certain symbolic meanings have
attached themselves to such things as colors. Places. Times. and animals. A list of these
common symbols and their meanings follows. The list does not exhaust the possible
meanings and associations of a symbol or metaphor in any particular poem. You cannot
merely plug these meanings into a poem and expect to understand the poem completely.
Your own knowledge, associations, and experience are what will lead you to a deep and
personal connection to any
Poem.
Sleep is often related to death. Night often suggests darkness, death, or grief. Dreams are
linked to the future or fate.
Seasons often represent ages: winter/old age or death; spring/youth; summer/prime of
life; fall or
Autumn middle age
Water is sometimes linked to the idea of birth or purification.
Colors are often linked to emotions: red/passion or anger; blue/happiness or calm;
Green/jealousy; colors are also used to represent states of being: black/death or evil;
white/purity or innocence; red/blood or danger; green/growth; purple/royalty or privilege;
yellow/violence or decay
Snakes and guns are often phallic; caves and underwater images often womb-like;
nature imagery, in general, is often associated with the mother or the female.
Flowers are also linked to emotions and/or states of being: rose/romance and love;
violets/shyness; lilies/beauty or temptation; chrysanthemums/perfection.
The cycle of natural growth--birth, degeneration, death- often suggests the cycle of love
(e.g., a poem may trace a rose from bud to bloom to withered vine).
Objects are often used to suggest images: a ring/faithfulness and fidelity; a
ladder/ascension or connection between heaven and earth; a chain/union or, conversely,
imprisonment; a mirror/the sun; a broken mirror/separation.
Animals have various associations: horse/phallic sexuality; doves, lambs, sleeping
animals/peace; felines, birds of prey/dissension, war, danger; snakes, serpents/evil,
phallic sexuality, fall from virtue, magic.
Forests are often places of testing or challenge.
Wind is often associated with change, transition, or destructive power.
Light--as the sun, the moon, stars, candles often symbolizes good, hope, freedom. The
moon
has several associations. t is sometimes a feminine svmbol. sometimes associated with
madness
sometimes with resurrection. Rainbows are associated with hope or reward. Darkness 1s
associated with evil, magic, or the unknown.
Reminder: This list is meant to stimulate your imagination, not to stifle it. The meanings
listed have been suggested by many poems, but they are not the only meanings these
symbols can have.
Conclusion
Symbolism is an interesting thing to study because many writers use symbols to deliver
their message. Not only the medium to deliver a message but symbols is also used to
catch the reader attention to keep on reading a poem
Reference
1- Ivanov, Vyacheslav. Thomas, E Bird. "Symbolism". (1996)

2-Cohn, Robert G. "Symbolism". The Journal of Aesthetic and Art Criticism.

3-Lenoski, Daniel. "The Symbolism of Rhythm in W. B Yeats". Irish University

4- http://repository.unika.ac.id/16344/6/13800044%20%20Tiffany%20-
%20BAB%20V.pdf

5-Zafiu, Rodica, (1996), Symbolistic Poetry,

6-Nicolescu, G., C., (1960), Talks about Symbolism,

7-https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.