Theme and symbolism

English

Definition

A theme is the central message or insight about life that a literary work conveys, while symbolism is the use of concrete objects, characters, or events to represent abstract ideas. Symbols are one of the key tools authors use to develop and reinforce themes throughout a text.

Examples

  • In The Great Gatsby, the green light symbolizes Gatsby's unreachable dreams, reinforcing the theme of the American Dream's corruption
  • In Lord of the Flies, the conch shell symbolizes order and democracy, and its destruction reflects the theme of civilization vs. savagery
  • In To Kill a Mockingbird, the mockingbird symbolizes innocence, supporting the theme of injustice

Related Terms

Theme development Literary devices Imagery and metaphor Figurative language

Study This Concept

Practice theme and symbolism with free review games in these units:

English 9 Unit 2: Literary Analysis