what is symbolism?
example
As they walked together, hand in hand across the smooth sand, he stopped. She didn't have to wonder why for too long as he gracefully stooped and lifted a pink shell from beneath the surface of the grains. Slowly and gently he offered her the treasure and she felt an incontrollable smile on her lips as she bashfully accepted it.
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explanation of the symbolism associated with shells generally
A symbolic meaning is a way of adding additional meaning to a text by implication. Authors would use this to add levels of meaning in an efficient way.
For Example; A Shell
A shell literally is a fragile and delicate object. So symbolically over time, it has come to symbolise femininity.
A shell literally holds soft seafood within its hard outer casing. So symbolically over time, it has come to symbolise fertility.
A shell comes with two parts and the breaking open of a shell would symbolise a harsh and unnecessary action.
The conch shell has come to symbolise power and authority because it has traditionally been used as a speaking tool.
In ancient Greek myth, Aphrodite was born of the sea and has been depicted through famous art works as standing on a shell.
Shells have formed part of human trading systems for a long time. Often treated as a treasure or made into jewelry, they symbolise beauty and wealth. Imbibed with a life force as they are grown from living things, they also symbolise an opening and a revealing, especially if they are oysters that will possibly reveal a pearl and offer more value. Also the shell symbolies protection as the hard exterior used to protect the soft sea creature within. Finally associated with food, shells symbolise an energy as they are full of nutrition.
For Example; A Shell
A shell literally is a fragile and delicate object. So symbolically over time, it has come to symbolise femininity.
A shell literally holds soft seafood within its hard outer casing. So symbolically over time, it has come to symbolise fertility.
A shell comes with two parts and the breaking open of a shell would symbolise a harsh and unnecessary action.
The conch shell has come to symbolise power and authority because it has traditionally been used as a speaking tool.
In ancient Greek myth, Aphrodite was born of the sea and has been depicted through famous art works as standing on a shell.
Shells have formed part of human trading systems for a long time. Often treated as a treasure or made into jewelry, they symbolise beauty and wealth. Imbibed with a life force as they are grown from living things, they also symbolise an opening and a revealing, especially if they are oysters that will possibly reveal a pearl and offer more value. Also the shell symbolies protection as the hard exterior used to protect the soft sea creature within. Finally associated with food, shells symbolise an energy as they are full of nutrition.
explanation of the symbolism of a shell in the example text
The author is writing a dreamy romantic scene and adopts a lot of the traditionally associated symbolism of the shell in this scene. She builds on the fact that the shell is pink to symbolise femininity. She links in to Greek mythology and polynesian cultures where the shell symbolised a method of communication or a speaking tool. In addition, there is the implication that the hero will be honourable in his actions. The author emphasises the way in which her hero picks up the shell and gently gifts it to the heroine. In taking this action, the hero is being romantic towards the heroine but on another level, he is showing his respect for her femininity and he is making a statement that he honours her by the gift, suggesting that he will not break open the shell (her) but treat it (her) gently. He is speaking through the gift of the shell and admiring her as a woman in the same process.
further examples of symbols
Traditionally, the heart is associated with strong emotion and has come to symbolically represent love. It is one of the vital organs of the body and is a strong muscle whose job it is to pump blood around the body, thereby giving it enormous importance to the existence of humans. As in poems where people have their heart broken, the individual having a heart attack is immobilized and unable to live a normal life.
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The key is said to be a symbol of knowledge, life and love. Typically associated with unlocking something which is locked or with opening a door that was previously closed. This allows the reader to understand that a key offers a transition to something new, be that a room or knowledge or the revelation of a secret. A key thereby signals that things will become more open or that a key holder has a certain power.
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