Make Reading Richer: How to Identify Symbolism When You Read

By Laura Bray

Reading for pleasure is a wonderful hobby, but sometimes you might want to go deeper into the text. Whether you are an aspiring writer, who wants to learn from published authors, or a reader who wants to explore a favorite book more deeply, learning about literary devices used in the books you read can take your reading hobby to the next level. It's a superpower that makes your reading experience even richer. [LB1] 

One common literary device that many authors use is symbolism. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, symbolism is: “the art or practice of using symbols especially by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations.”[1]

Here are some tips for finding symbolism in the books you are reading:

1. Don't worry about finding symbolism in the text while you are reading it. Just read and enjoy the book. After you are done reading, think about what you read. Did any images, smells, sounds, or things come up multiple times in the book? Multiple mentions are usually indicators that there's a symbol that the author wants you to notice.

To explore symbols, let’s use the symbol of the robin in our past Prairie Pages Pick, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

2. When you notice the symbol, take a minute to brainstorm about what the repeated item might represent. Using our example of a robin, birds are usually a sign of spring. What does spring mean? Rebirth, awakening, blooming. How does that interpretation tie to the story in The Secret Garden? Is it a symbol of Mary Lennox’s growth in the book? Remember there are no “right” answers when interpreting text. Everyone brings their own life experiences to reading and interpreting stories.

3. Potential meaning about these repetitive items can also be allusions to other texts or stories. In western literature these texts and stories are sometimes tied to Judeo-Christian stories and traditions (called biblical allusion) and to Greek and Roman mythology.

In the case of the robin, robins have redbreasts. In mythology, their red breasts sometimes symbolize fire. Again, in these works, robins stand for rebirth, renewal, burning down the old to allow new growth. The red breasted robin can be another symbol of the secret garden being brought back to life, as well as the characters in the book finding a way to overcome their challenges.

When you read books by authors outside the western tradition, you can look at their ancient texts and stories to find symbolic clues. You can look up symbols online in relation to these allusions and get more information that will help you produce a symbol for the story you are reading.

4. Think about the symbols on a personal level too. Does the image bring up something from your life? That's just as important as the academic interpretations.

5. Finally, don’t get so caught up in looking for symbols and meaning that you lose your enjoyment in reading. Sometimes a bird is just a bird. You don't always have to read so deeply. Just enjoy the story. Reading should be fun and relaxing.

If you want to read along with a group of women who enjoy reading books and talking about books, please join our online book club, Prairie Pages. To find out what we’re reading now, click below!

Prairie Pages Book Club

[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolism